Who knew it was possible?
Edna Reinhardt has created an invaluable resource for our young aspiring artists and movers. She has compacted her skills and experience into a unique caryy box giving teachers and educators the ability to share her insights into the influence that Yoga education can have on the development of young people.
As Edna discovered through her personal and professional life, Yoga discipline, with its focus on the connection between mind and body, can play an integral role in every individual's creativity, which is part of the reasoning in creating a magical journey for young people to also begin learning the importance and loving the challenges of developing a healthy relationship to their body and mind.
The educational package Edna has introduced - Creative Yoga Games for Kids - is a bright, colourful and an energectic approach to teaching and learning.
As teachers and educators we are able follow a straightforward guide layout that not only informs us of general teaching practices but also gives fourteen extra session games and scheduled class ideas for teaching practices for individuals and groups. They are easy to follow and give wonderful suggestions for bringing Yoga and creative movement into our teaching atmosphere and existing programmes.
Alongside the imaginative session plans, Edna provides 48 gorgeous picture cards demonstrating fun Yoga postures that young people can recognise, attempt and enjoy. The picture cards are presented in a child-friendly, colourful and high gloss way. For teaching practices each card is clearly labelled and completed with detailed explanations on how to present Yoga postures, guiding you through exercises and sequences for strong teaching.
As an added bonus, Edna also gives musical suggestions in her quick-to-read instruction booklet, and guidance on how Yoga teaching can be incorporated and be the foundation of dance and dance classes in youir lesson plans. As she explains, once children have developed this strength at an early stage, the possibilities are endless. (Not to mention it is a great way for children to begin leading an active, fun and healthy lifestyle!) Edna’s background has led her to utlise another teaching method that children are sure to enjoy: the Yoga postures on the picture cards are performed by the audience themselves, namely young people, all of whom are seemingly capable of performing Yoga at a high standard. With this, children are sure to enjoy the colourful experience of looking through the cards and learning the moves, following with the Yoga sequences as seen performed by people just like them, playing in a social environment and developing flexibility, physical and mental strength and themselves as unique individuals.
The portable boxed pack is aimed at young people in social or independant learning environments, parents, teachers and educators who believe in the importance of creating open learning practices with focus on young peoples' inner strength. Creative Yoga Games for Kids is presented in an easy, detailed guide for teachers to lead young people and young people to enjoy creative movement in a fun learning environment. Edna Reinhardt has created the perfect plans for any teaching session in any class environment, creative Yoga to be incorporated into dance education and learning and shares with us her experience and education practices to further the development of our young models of tomorrow. A highly recommended purchase for any teacher, educator, dance instructor, school curriculum facilitator or parent. It is a wonderful learning experience all youngsters will enjoy.
Edna Reinhardt's Creative Yoga Games for Kids can be found in all good bookshops, or from the Over the Moon Studio website
Ph: 03 54705061, r.r.p. $34.95
Review by Kristin Agnoli
