Child’s Pose: Yoga for Kids in NYC

Photos by Karen Haberberg Photography

Grown-ups aren’t the only ones saying “Namaste” these days. Kids and even babies (along with the help of a parent, of course) are practicing their poses while improving their strength and flexibility. We visited some of the best kids’ yoga classes in the city to find out why the ancient discipline is so popular among the younger set.

For more places where kids can stretch it out in NYC, click here.

Bija Kids
“I love yoga because it’s kind of exercising and it gives you lots of energy.”—Eamonn Ryan (second from left), 4 “I like seed pose. And dancing.” –Laurel Hoffman (third from left), 3
Karma Kids Yoga
“My favorite thing about class is when we do upside down poses. [My favorite thing] about yoga in general is that it’s fun and relaxing. It makes you stronger and more flexible.”—Reid Hanson (far left), 9 “Some poses can be tricky, but with practice, they can be picked up easily. Just have fun!” –Layla Blatt (far right), 9 “[My goal] is to get stronger at poses such as bird of paradise!” –Finn Denton (center), 9
Lil Yogi’s NYC
“We love doing the dinosaur pose and the dinosaur march.” -Luke and Lyla Lindeman, 5 and 2, respectively “Luke and Lyla do yoga weekly. I love that, despite their age difference, yoga is an activity they can do together. Not only does it provide the traditional benefits of yoga, but I love watching them improve each week and gain confidence in themselves when they master new skills.” –Paula Lindeman, Luke and Lyla’s Mom
Yogi Beans
“My favorite thing about yoga is playing yoga games and exploring each pose in many different ways...I am currently working on a tri-pod headstand and crow pose!” -Virginia Minard, 9.5
The Prenatal Yoga Center
“I love the bonding aspect of yoga with my daughter, Calista. I love how ‘mommy and me yoga’ incorporates your child into the poses. I get to hold her, see her every smile, hear her every giggle, and still work my core all in one…I love when we start working on our abs. We put our baby’s tummy on our shin and then we extend our legs out then back in. It’s like our baby is flying in the air. Calista loves it so much and has a huge smile on her face when she’s up in the air moving back and forth.” –Emeben Vales with her baby Calista Jolie Vales (7.5 months)