Yoga for Children is not a Big Stretch

Slow and concentrated stretching may not sound like the perfect fit for active toddlers, but in Cupertino, a yoga instructor found it can be a meaningful bonding experience between mother and child.

In Hsiang-Hsiu Lin's parenting yoga class, 3-year-old children follow her instructions to do all kinds of yoga moves along with, and sometimes on top of, their mothers.

"Parenting yoga has become a trend in England, Japan and Taiwan in the past five or six years," says Lin, a certified Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga teacher living in Cupertino. "I'm bringing it here, because it's a great body and mind exercise that can enhance the bond between mother and child."

Lin explains that the body contact parenting yoga entails will make the child feel a sense of security as well as closeness to the mom. It also helps young children with their coordination and balance at exactly the time they become aware of what they can do with their bodies.

Lin teaches parenting yoga in her large family room, where there is no furniture on the hardwood floor, every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to noon. The schedule works for stay-at-home moms and pre-kindergarten children.

Michelle Lo and her 3-year-old son, Matthew, haven't missed a session since the course began in January. In fact, it was Lo's suggestion that made Lin decide to open the parenting yoga class.

Lin used to teach only adult yoga classes. Lo was one of her adult students. One day after class, Lo asked Lin if she would also teach Matthew. That gave Lin the idea of introducing parenting yoga to Cupertino.

"Parenting yoga is for small children, ages 3 to 7," says Lin. "They may not understand verbal instructions before age 3, and they can do yoga by themselves after age 7."

A mother herself, Lin knows how to make her parenting yoga class fun for young children. She uses balls, balloons and stuffed animals as props to conduct various activities. She also lets children sing instead of chanting at the end of every session, while yoga conventionally requires chanting to close its practice.

Lo says, "Matthew really enjoys this yoga class. After class, he will practice at home what he has learned."

Matthew nods gleefully upon hearing his mother's description of his love for yoga.

Another 3-year-old boy, Darren Hsu, doesn't seem as enthusiastic about yoga as Matthew. He is apprehensive of certain strenuous stretches and upside-down postures.

When Darren refuses to make a move, Lin uses kind words to encourage him and gives him a toy to distract him from his reluctance. That helps Darren let down his guard to fully participate.

There are six pairs of mother and child so far in Lin's parenting yoga class, which welcomes drop-ins. Every session is different and not in sequence. It costs $20 per session or $180 for a 10-session course.

Lin speaks Mandarin in the parenting yoga class, because all the attending mothers and children are from Taiwan, like herself. But she says she will speak English if a non-Chinese mom takes her child there, as she does for her adult classes that have English-speaking students.

Lin is an American-educated dancer and choreographer. After receiving a bachelor's degree in dance and an master's degree in performing arts from San Jose State University, she returned to Taiwan to develop a career in performing arts and teach dance at a university. But in 2009, she moved back to Silicon Valley for her husband's job relocation. She works for sjDANCEco, a dance company in San Jose, besides teaching yoga at home.

Lin says she would encourage everyone to take up yoga, as it can invigorate the body and soothe the mind for people of all ages.

"Some adults think their bodies are too stiff for yoga, but they can take it slow and gradually build up flexibility," says Lin.

Lin's adult yoga classes are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, plus Tuesday evenings. The classes cost $15 per session or $100 for an eight-session course.

For more information about Lin's yoga classes, call 408-876-0210.