County Extension program brings ‘Yoga for Kids’ to Marion Library

County Extension program brings ‘Yoga for Kids’ to Marion Library

Plans call for expansion into local schools

County Extension Agent- FCS Local youth are participating in a fun yoga program conducted by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension. If you are picturing children bending and twisting themselves into happy knots, think again. The 4-H brand of yoga is decidedly different from the style of yoga practiced by adults. This program helps students to improve their mental and physical fitness using yoga poses and deep breathing techniques.

Children's yoga programs tend to be fast, imaginative, and have an extra element of fun. The program aims to help kids improve their physical, social and emotional health. Kids' yoga programs are popping up across the county.

The program was developed by faculty at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.

It focuses on healthy living for youth, including muchneeded physical activity.

However, the program developers say they created 4H Yoga for Kids to help kids better manage their emotions, improve focus and concentration, and recognize and respond to stress.

According the Meredith Wayman, County Extension Agent, the program is about more than improving physical fitness. Research suggests that yoga helps students improve concentration, manage stress, improve behavior and improve academically.

Currently the program is being implemented into the West Memphis School District physical education curriculum as well as Marion Junior High School. This summer, the yoga program was also taught at the Woolfolk Library. For more information about the 4-H Yoga for Kids program, contact Meredith Wayman at 870-739-3239 or mwayman@ uaex.edu.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

By Meredith Wayman