Like a Fish in Water, Yoga for Children. . - book review

By Isabelle Koch

(Inner Tradition Int'l, Ltd., 1999), 56 pages, $12.95

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed when I first looked at this book. But as all too often happens, we adults fail to see the true joy in something simple. The pictures of a child doing yoga instantly entranced my son, and the hand-drawn backgrounds lent a sense of playfulness. My son, who is four, has been mimicking my yoga poses since he was about 10 months old, but this is the first time he has seen someone his own size in these poses.

I found that he lacked the patience to listen to the descriptions that accompany the pictures. However, he would talk about the pictures, ask questions, and willingly try the poses himself, often holding a pose for 30 or more seconds. Anyone with a 4-year-old knows that 30 seconds is an eternity. My 19-month-old daughter wasn't interested in the book, but enjoyed copying her brother.

My son has been asking to practice with me more often lately, bringing his own mat when he sees me setting up for my practice. He asks for his favorite poses by name or by finding them in the book.

This book has also deepened by own yoga practice. My children have reminded me that yoga does not have to be so serious. It is okay to giggle about tipping over during tree pose or to stop for a quick hug after triangle pose. I had forgotten these simple things as I worried about getting my poses just right.

This book lacks this warning: remember to let the child lead you. While I expect an hour or more of myself, I have found that my son seems to lose interest after 15 or 20 minutes--but that is fine. Instead, I will continue to cherish the time he practices with me, and I also get a little more time when he curls up and goes to sleep beside me on his mat while I finish my practice each night.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Vegetarian Baby and Child
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group