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(MayoClinic.com) Is your child about to start practicing yoga at school? Does he or she seem interested in taking a yoga class? If so, you may have questions about the possible benefits of yoga for kids and what a typical program entails. Before your child does his or her first pose, get the facts on yoga for kids.

How can yoga benefit children?

Research on the benefits of yoga for kids is limited. Anecdotal reports suggest that yoga can calm children, reduce obesity, enhance concentration and help children manage certain health conditions, such as headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. Studies suggest that yoga may also benefit children who have various mental and physical disabilities. Yoga may even help children who have eating disorders lessen their preoccupation with food. More studies, however, are needed to confirm the positive health effects of yoga for kids.

At the least, yoga can be a gentle method for your child to get more physical activity and enhance his or her well-being.

What happens during a typical yoga class for kids?

Yoga classes for children rarely focus on the importance of perfecting poses. Instead, they often emphasize yoga basics, such as the cultivation of compassion — rather than competition — and the connection between breathing and different poses. A typical yoga class for kids may involve:

  • Warm-up. Your child will remove his or her shoes and may lie down or sit cross-legged on the floor or on a chair. A special object — such as a yoga mat or pillow, clothing, or stuffed animal used only for yoga — may be used to signal that this is a time for relaxation. The instructor may encourage your child to quiet his or her mind, perhaps by closing his or her eyes and imagining a problem disappearing.
  • Breathing. Your child will be encouraged to focus on breathing in and out slowly and deeply through the nose. In one technique, your child might imagine filling up his or her stomach with air like a balloon and then slowly releasing the air.
  • Postures. Gentle movements, including stretching, will help your child prepare to do postures that involve standing, sitting, twisting, balancing and bending. Some instructors provide pictures of plants, animals or objects to imitate. During each pose, your child may be reminded to breathe through his or her nose, to avoid forcing a position, and to stop if he or she experiences pain.
  • Relaxation. After completing a series of poses, your child may lie down on the floor on his or her back and close his or her eyes. The instructor may repeat a sound or phrase to encourage your child to concentrate on his or her breathing. Your child may also be encouraged to visualize experiences, such as lying on a cloud or floating through the sky.
  • Reawakening. As the class ends, your child will begin stretching or wiggling his or her body and slowly rise from the floor.
Are there styles of yoga that aren't recommended for children?

There are many different styles of yoga. Two styles that may be inappropriate for children include:

  • Ashtanga. This type of yoga, also called power yoga, focuses on strength and flexibility training and rapid movements. Practicing ashtanga requires excellent physical condition.
  • Bikram. Commonly called hot yoga, Bikram involves doing vigorous poses in a room heated to 100 to 110 F (38 to 43 C). Practicing Bikram also requires excellent physical condition.
Are there special safety guidelines for kids who practice yoga?

If your child tries yoga, take steps to help him or her avoid injury. For example:

  • Find a safe place to practice yoga. Insist on level ground and a comfortable room temperature. Have your child use a clean mat to prevent slipping. Avoid locations where candles or incense are used.
  • Practice on an empty stomach. Certain poses may cause your child to vomit if he or she practices yoga soon after eating. Generally, don't allow your child to practice yoga until two to four hours after a large meal or one to two hours after a light meal or snack.
  • Don't overdo it. Remind your child to keep his or her movements slow and to avoid forcing a pose or doing inverted poses, which involve extending the legs above the heart or head. Inverted poses put pressure on the head, neck or shoulders.
  • Consider your child's medical conditions. If your child has migraines or any condition affected by extra pressure to the head or neck, he or she may need to avoid shoulder stands. Your child may also need to take care doing certain breathing techniques or poses if he or she has asthma, bronchitis or a hernia. Don't allow your child to do yoga if he or she is sick.
How do I choose a yoga class for my child?

If your child is interested in taking a yoga class, look for a program taught by an instructor who has training in yoga for children. Ask about the instructor's experience with your child's age group and the goal of the class. Consider observing a class prior to registration to see if you're comfortable with the activities involved, the instructor's style, the class size and the environment. Look for a class where the children are having fun and receive positive attention from the instructor. If your child has a medical condition or special needs, be sure to alert the instructor and ask about his or her ability to work with your child.

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CottageCountryNow Article: Emily Neal point leader at the 41st ...

The 2007 Rosseau Regatta happened on July 28, which was, as usual, the Saturday before the August long weekend. It was the 41st running of the event in the “modern era”, which started in 1967. Unlike last year, the organizers and participants were treated to a very nice summer day which meant that there were over 110 people registered to participate. Also, this year the committee decided to donate all entry fees to the Ruth Dare Health Clinic in Rosseau.

The J.S. Ditchburn Memorial Trophy is awarded to the participant who earns the most points. This year it was won by Emily Neal.

The Parry Sound Fuels trophies are awarded to the local boy and girl who earn the most points. They were won by Shannon Duffy and Nicholas Duffy.

Canoeing events
Open, 10 and under single: 1. Brian Heyens; 2. Christopher Loma; 3. Cameron Wood; Boys, 11 and 12 single: 1. Colin Heyens; 2. Conner Gray; 3. Mathew Soper; Girls, 13 and 14 single: 1. Lindsay Sittler; 2. Kristen Frame; 3. Megan Loma; Boys, 13 and 14 single: 1. Mitchell Blackmore; 2. Oliver Neal; Girls, 15 and 16 single: 1. Emily Neal; 2. Rachel Croteau; Boys, 15 and 16 single: 1. Bobby Besant; 2. Patrick Smith; Ladies, 17 and over single: 1. Amy Mausser; 2. Barb Loma; 3. Sherry Friend; Men, 17 and over single: 1. Bobby Genovese; 2. Nathan Klinkman; 3. Jamie Wood; Mother and daughter double: 1. Cheryl Besant, Samantha Besant; 2. Brigitte Mausser, Amy Mausser; 3. Margie Bawden, Ann Bawden; Father and son double: 1. Sid Baker, Ryan Mausser; 2. Steve Gray, Conner Gray; 3. David Frame, Marc Frame; Mother and son double: 1. Brigitte Mausser, Ryan Mausser; 2. Cheryl Besant, Bobby Besant; 3. Margaret Heyens, Colin Heyens; Father and daughter double: 1. Sid Baker, Amy Mausser; 2. David Frame, Kristen Frame; 3. David Neal, Emily Neal; Mixed open fours: 1. Bobby Genovese, Blain Genovese, Christine Genovese, Darlene Soper; 2. Jamie Wood, Paula Wood, Peter Bawden, Margie Bawden; 3. Amy Mausser, Peter Benson, David Klaver, Julia Schanzenbacher; Open, 10 and under double: 1. Christopher Loma, Jacob Bawden; 2. Katie Cass, Emma Soper; Boys, 11 and 12 double: 1. Colin Heyens, Conner Gray; 2. Brian Heyens, Austin Blackmore; Girls, 13 and 14 double: 1. Samantha Besant, Dianna Hamilton; 2. Megan Loma, Kristen Frame; 3. Leslie Hamilton, Megan Watkawski; Boys, 13 and 14 double: 1. Oliver Neal, Mitchell Blackmore; Girls, 15 and 16 double: 1. Stephanie Roy, Lindsay Sittler; 2. Emily Neal, Rachel Croteau; Boys, 15 and 16 double: 1. Bobby Besant, Andrew Lloyd; 2. Patrick Smith, Raphael Capone; Ladies, 17 and over double: 1. Cheryl Hamilton, Cheryl Besant; Men, 17 and over double: 1. Jamie Wood, Peter Bawden; 2. Nathan Klinkman, Peter Benson; 3. David Neal, Steve Gray; Mixed open double: 1. David Frame, Kristen Frame; 2. Paula Wood, Jamie Wood; 3. David Neal, Emily Neal.

Distance canoe, Boys and men, Open double: 1. David Neal, Oliver Neal; 2. Steve Gray, Conner Gray; Girls and ladies, Open double: 1. Emily Neal, Kristen Frame.

Canoeing skill, Beginners, Under 14: 1. Oliver Neal; Intermediate, Men: 1. Conner Gray; Experts, Men: 1. Peter Benson; 2. Steve Gray; 3. Bobby Genovese.

Swimming events
Girls, six and under: 1. Claire Bogart; 2. Elizabeth Coate; 3. Shannon Duffy; Boys, six and under: 1. Johnathan McCrae; 2. Joshua Camilleri; 3. Joranny Heyens; Girls, seven and eight: 1. Katie Bogart; Boys, seven and eight: 1. Liam Bogart; 2. Josh Janna; 3. Marc Frame; Girls, nine and 10: 1. Kate McCrae; Boys, nine and 10: 1. Brian Heyens; Girls, 11 and 12: 1. Dianna Hamilton; Boys, 11 and 12: 1. Colin Heyens; 2. Austin Blackmore; 3. Conner Gray; Girls, 13 and 14: 1. Stephanie Roy; 2. Samantha Besant; Boys, 13 and 14: 1. Mitchell Blackmore; 2. Oliver Neal; Girls, 15 and 16: 1. Emily Neal.

Ladies 17 and over, 100 metres: 1. Cheryl Hamilton; 100 metres, Men 17 and over: 1. David Neal; 50 metres, Ladies 30 and over: 1. Nicola Janna; 50 metres, Men 30 and over: 1. Neil Janna; 2. Steve Gray; Mixed open medley: 1. Neil Janna, Nicola Janna, Josh Janna, Cheryl Hamilton; 2. Emily Neal, Oliver Neal, Mitchell Blackmore, Kristen Frame; 3. Dianna Hamilton, Samantha Besant, Stephanie Roy, Marc Frame.

Open relay, six swimmers: 1. Jamie Shaw, Dianna Hamilton, Lori Hamilton, Samantha Besant, Stephanie Roy, Jeff Laforge; 2. David Frame, Kristen Frame, Emily Neal, Oliver Neal, Mitchell Blackmore, Neil Janna; 3. David Neal, Austin Blackmore, Brian Heyens, Steve Gray, Conner Gray, Colin Heyens.

Distance swim, Men, over 16: 1. Peter Bawden; Ladies, over 16: 1. Amy Mausser; Boys, 16 and under: 1. Greg Frame; 2. Oliver Neal; 3. Reid Millard; Girls, 16 and under: 1. Emily Neal; Open, over 40: 1. Andy Frame; 2. Rick Frame.

Other events
Tub race, Girls, eight and under: 1. Shannon Duffy; 2. Julia Wood; 3. Caroline Bawden; Boys, eight and under: 1. Joshua Camilleri; 2. Marc Frame; 3. Bobby Genovese Jr.

Sand castle building: 1. Josh Janna, Jesse Janna; 2. Malcolm E. Coate, Colin Heyens; 3. Maddie Cass, Katie Cass, Emma Soper, Mathew Soper.

Submitted by Craig Finnson.

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