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Little Yogis
Yoga for kids is a hot new trend!
By Edna Tucker
Once upon a time, in the “Land of Perfect,” there was a little princess doing a flawless pirouette, and a junior slugger hitting a perfect home run. They were set to be introduced to each other, but when all was said and done, these seemingly opposite little ones had already met and were best friends. How did this happen? They shared the same yoga class.
Now, the first thought some have about yoga is that it is for “hippies,” or that it is simply a new-age fad, but this is not the case. Yoga for the wee ones is on the climb nationwide, and it is definitely catching on here in Arizona. Community centers and other facilities, such as the YMCA, are now starting to offer yoga classes for youngsters. Now the “Land of Perfect” has a yoga studio just for kids!
Holistic Hatha
Why would I enroll my child in yoga? Hatha Yoga, which is the most common type of yoga taught to children, is a process during which one performs physical movements coupled with focused breathing. This allows for physical and mental balance, which hugely benefits children of all ages.
“In Hatha Yoga, most of the poses are modeled after animals and objects found in nature. This is why yoga appeals to a child's imagination and sense of adventure. Children are naturally strong and flexible and know how to live each moment to the fullest,” states Faye Hoesel of Aspire Kids Sports Center and creator and president of Yoga Youngsters. “This allows yoga to become second-nature for children.”
Benefits of yoga in general for both kids and adults include stress and pain relief, increased strength and flexibility, improved breathing and circulation, and many other positive physical effects. Children in yoga, however, tend to experience the added benefit of holistic physical, spiritual and mental balance. For instance, yoga can truly boost a child’s self esteem. Hoesel says, “Yoga provides a non-competitive environment for children to take their bodies into positions they never thought were possible. The strength and confidence children gain from practicing boosts self-esteem.”
For kids and adults alike, yoga can be a wonderful starting point for physical, and sometimes spiritual, wellness. Sarah Pratt of East Phoenix has taken her 9-year-old daughter to yoga class for the past six months. “She loves it. She is typically a very active child, but I find that after yoga class she is very relaxed and calm.”
Yoga is used to teach controlled breathing and the ability to focus on the present, which provides children with wonderfully constructive coping skills as they maneuver through their busy lives. We often don’t think of kids as having demanding or worrisome lives, but in reality kids frequently have lots of stress and anxiety.
Lisa Orkin-Passloff, a certified yoga instructor, says “What really surprises me is how stressed many kids are. It is just mind-boggling.” But yoga lays a true foundation for kids to focus and succeed in life. Sandy Collins of Yoga Youphoria in Ahwatukee says, “Yoga essentially helps kids maintain what they naturally have. Children are quite wise and tuned in to themselves, but are all too often socialized out of this.” Providing a forum for youngsters to listen to themselves and get in touch with their whole selves is beneficial.
Alternate Activity
One goal of yoga for kids is to provide an additional physical activity to supplement sports and other common pursuits. Team sports provide great exercise and are worthy motivators for youngsters, but some children may not respond well to them. While yoga need not necessarily take the place of typical team sports, it is a wonderful thing to incorporate into kids’ lives along with everything else.
“Yoga is good to do in addition to other sports,” says Orkin-Passloff. But, if kids are so stressed, why add another thing to their already-imposing list of things to do? Collins offers an answer to this burning question. “Yoga is good for helping kids learn balance and a healthy habit at a young age: keeping the body fit and learning how to stay centered in difficult times,” she says. “Kids’ yoga really imparts strength in a child’s body and spirit.”
“Yoga increases length of stride and allows muscles to tone and hug the bones, allowing kids to be more resistant to injury. It provides great strength-training for youngsters without bulking them up,” says Christy Burnette, owner of Arizona Yoga in Scottsdale. A typical class lasts from 30 minutes to one hour and builds on the playfulness and imagination of children. Through all of the movement, games, brief meditation, concentration activities and songs, children learn various yoga positions and postures while improving their focus, strength, coordination, balance and confidence. It’s an ingenious approach to using physical activity to bridge to the real inner child.
Chi Checklist
Some parents may wonder if their young lads will feel out of place in a room with a bunch of little girls in yoga outfits and color-coordinated mats, but in actuality there are many classes that are evenly mixed with regard to sexes and ages. “If you are concerned, call the studio or gym where the class is offered before placing your child. You might be able to go in and get a feel for the environment and instructor to see if it ‘clicks’ for you and your child”, says Hoesel.
Rebekah Martin of Central Phoenix has three boys, ages 9, 6 and 3 years of age. “I was initially interested in putting the boys in yoga because it looked like a great way for them to be active in a non-competitive environment. I didn’t want them to feel out of place, however, being the only boys in class; that would altogether defeat the purpose.” A phone call put this concern to rest, and is a good idea for any parent evaluating potential programs for their child.
The same principle applies to a child’s age. If you are at all uneasy about placing your young child in a yoga class, Mom Pratt has some words of wisdom: “Just try it and find out.” It’s that simple.
“Lots of moms who currently practice yoga start baby off with a Mommy and Me yoga class. But moms should make the judgment call to determine if their child will do equally well with them out of the room. Classes can be disrupted with moms lined up along the wall waving to their little yogis doing the tree pose, which can be terribly distracting. So moms, grab some Starbucks and chit-chat in the lobby! It’ll make for a much more productive yoga class for the kiddos and you’ll get some grown-up talk in for about half an hour. It’s a win-win situation,” adds Burnette.
Ultimately, yoga is a brilliant means of social interaction teamed up with extremely beneficial physical activity. So, finally, the “Land of Perfect” is truly perfected with a yoga studio for the kids!
Arizona Yoga
Scottsdale, AZ
480-941-6855, voicemail only
www.azyoga.net
Aspire Kids Sports Center
Chandler, AZ
480-820-3774 or 480-736-9160
www.aspirekidsports.com or www.yogayoungsters.org
Yoga Youphoria
Phoenix, AZ
480-706-5400
www.yogayouphoria.com
Home-Buying 101 for Women
Nine simple steps to confidently purchasing your dream home
By Cindy Westlund, Signature Title Agency
Owning a home is one of the key elements of the American Dream, and more and more women are making this dream their reality. According to the National Association of Realtors, women make up 20 percent of the nation’s home-buyer market, and single women are the fastest growing segment of the real estate market. In fact, single women are buying homes at more than twice the rate of single men, acquiring one out of every five properties sold in the U.S. For many women, it is a wise financial move to purchase rather than rent, but, before diving into the home-buying frenzy, follow these 9 simple steps to ensure that the road to getting the home of which you dream is as smooth as possible.
Finding “just the right home” is a very personal matter. When it comes to finding that dream home, Robert S. Maurice, Real Estate Consultant with Keller Williams Realty Ahwatukee Foothills, advises that, “Women should not be afraid to ask a lot of questions, and never waive a home inspection.” Carola Jacobson, ABR, GRI, Real Estate Consultant/Realtor, Keller Williams Realty Ahwatukee Foothills, says that most women, especially single women, make decisions on what home to buy based on “location, personal safety and security of the property, as well as the condition of the property.”
“Based on my experience,” says Carola, “the biggest concerns for women are the location of the home (for personal safety reasons, easy access to cultural and recreational activities, close proximity to their workplace, etc ...); security demands (many single men will consider living in a marginal neighborhood, but a woman may feel differently about this); and financial considerations (can they afford the monthly payments, what could the cost of home repairs be, etc.). Women purchasing homes are more realistic and pragmatic when it comes to a purchase. They are willing to accept a starter home with the hope that they can build up their equity and eventually sell it for something better.”
1. Get your financial house in order.
Before staring the hunt for the perfect home, shape up your credit if needed, and determine your budget range. Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. Credit reports are kept by the three major credit agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. A few months before you start house-hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover. To get a copy of your reports and your credit scores, try Fair Isaac's MyFICO.com, which charges about $39 for all three reports and scores, as well as an explanation of your score and tips for improving it. Errors are not uncommon; if you find any, you must contact the agencies directly to correct them, which can take two or three months to resolve. If the report is accurate but shows past problems, be prepared to explain them to a loan officer.
2. Get pre-approved.
By getting pre-approved, you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford. It also puts you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.
3. Choose carefully between points and rate.
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points, a portion of the interest that you pay at closing, in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time, say five to seven years or more, it's usually a better deal to take the points.
Sarah Mara of Signature Title Agency says, “I suggest getting the names of reputable mortgage brokers/lenders by asking friends, family or coworkers for referrals. Additionally, our “family,” as we refer to our employees at Signature Title Agency, work with many great mortgage teams and we are happy to suggest some with whom you can work confidently.” The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run. Choose your lender carefully.
4. Don’t worry if you can’t put down 20 percent.
There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a down-payment as small as three percent of the purchase price.
5. Get professional help.
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, it's still a good idea to use an agent. Look for an exclusive buyer-agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
Signature Title Agency “recommends and advises the parties in a real estate transaction use a licensed realtor. There’s no sense in having to navigate the complex process of a real estate transaction by yourself. Realtors have information and access to resources that significantly enhance your strategic home-buying experience—elements that individuals outside of the industry do not have.”
6. Shop for a home you can afford.
The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. Sarah Mara of Signature Title Agency says, “Internet calculators are great to provide a high-level overview of what you may be able to afford. But you'll do better to speak with a reputable mortgage broker/lender that can accurately calculate your income, debts and expenses and pre-approve you based on your specific portfolio details.”
7. Do your homework before bidding.
Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. So before making it, consider sales of similar homes in the last three months. Consult with your real estate professional, who can advise you on the best strategies for making an offer and negotiating a deal.
8. Buy in a district with good schools.
In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. When it comes time to sell, strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values. Maurice says, “My experience has proven that, good schools, neighborhood, and a safe place for kids to play are a few of women-buyers’ biggest concerns when purchasing a home. I always suggest that clients do a significant amount of research. Buyers today have excellent information available via the Internet, such as schools report cards and crime statistics.”
9. Hire a home inspector.
Don’t confuse a home inspection with an appraisal. Your lender will require a home appraisal. This is the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire a home inspector who has extensive experience. The home inspector’s job is to point out potential problems that can require costly repairs down the road.
According to John Westlund of J. Dewey Property Inspection, “Some of the top items that women need to think about when they receive a home inspection report are: roof, plumbing, and heat and air systems. Water intrusion is the biggest enemy of your home, so any potential water issues need to be checked and monitored closely. Some key areas to examine for leaks are the roof, above or under sinks, and the hot water heater.” If these or other areas are not problematic at the time of the inspection, John says that inspectors are happy to show any buyer the “costly” areas that should be monitored. “This way they can have them repaired before they become more expensive problems,” says Westlund.
J. Dewey also recommends changing air conditioning filters monthly. The purpose of the filter is not so that you can breathe clean air; it is to keep the air conditioner coils clean. Clean coils operate much more efficiently, but having coils cleaned is very costly. Changing the air filter monthly keeps coils as clean as possible, for as long as possible.
Owning the home of your dreams … a lot of money. Raising children … a whole lot more money. Sitting back on the patio of your very own home watching your children play in the backyard … priceless.
Cindy Westlund is co-owner of Signature Title Agency and a married mother of 4 children; a 5-year-old and 2-year-old triplets. cindy@signaturetitleus.com or www.signaturetitleus.com.
Back Talk
Pickup Paranoia
By Bob Schwartz
As the children return to school after summer break, my wife is also returning to work after some years off. Now, before I get sentenced to a rigorous session of political-correctness education at Sensitivity Training Camp for Dummies, rest assured that I realize the greatest misnomer of the 21st century is the label "stay-at-home Mom." They don't exist, since moms spend more time on the road than long-haul truckers.
And although the term "working-mother" is redundant, my wife is returning to the other working world, where paid holidays are part of the deal, opportunities for promotion exist, and tasks are certainly less intimidating than potty-training or taking the dare of hopping on your child's Razor scooter.
In the reshuffling of our parental responsibilities, my most nerve-wracking challenge won't be whether or not I can create a palatable entrée after many years of being a DNC—FD (Did Not Cook—Family Decision). No, my greatest test isn't relearning the difference between rutabaga and jicama, but successfully managing school pick-up and drop-off without routinely causing a 48-minivan pile-up. The terrifying tribulations of the school commuter now keep me awake at night.
My present goal is to avoid catching the excoriating glance of the 9-year-old safety patrol student proudly wearing the powerful orange belt. Find me a first-lieutenant safety patrol person who dreams of being a captain and, well, rest assured: you’d darn well better stay within those crosswalks, fella, and far, far away from teacher parking. Violate these principles and, parent or no parent, you'll find yourself whisked from your car and in detention faster than you can say, "Where'd that tow truck come from?"
And don't even think of slowing down in front of the "no parking, standing, stopping, pausing, contemplating, pondering or reflecting; you've violated something if you've read this far" sign. Legend has it that repeat-transgressors are required to stand on a scaffold at three consecutive PTA meetings wearing scarlet IDOs (Illegal Drop Off) on their shirts.
During my initial foray into afternoon grade-school gridlock, I finally spotted my son near the corner by the school. Fearful of prompting road-rage for taking too long in the loading area, I lunged to open the passenger-side sliding door and frantically yelled "jump in!" Given the number of other vehicles surrounding me, I was scared that if I was required to circle the school again sans son I wouldn't make it back around until a week from Tuesday.
Having miraculously achieved pick-up of my youngest son at elementary school, I quickly retreated home to the comfort of our driveway. My petrified state slowly dissipated and my heart rate returned to near normal. It was at this juncture that my 2-year-old daughter, riding lookout from the backseat, inquired as to the whereabouts of her oldest brother. Yikes! My memory lapse had left us one child shy of a complete sibling unit, so I rushed on toward the middle school.
As we got closer to the middle school, my youngest son, who seemed to be enjoying his dad's shell-shocked look of Post Traumatic Pickup Disorder, called out, “This isn't the way that Mom goes.” Suddenly realizing that my vehicle was swimming upstream against a swarm of vehicles charging at me on a way-too-narrow street, I tried to reassure him things were all right and that Dad just did things a bit differently. Catching him rolling his eyes in the rearview mirror didn't quite give me the vote of confidence for which I was hoping. After two hours, the traffic cleared and I located my older son sleeping on the sidewalk with his backpack as his pillow.
That night, I created detailed maps of the parking areas at each school as my children and I went over our plan of attack for the next day, including detailed car-to-sidewalk hand signals. If I survive pick-up until the end of the school year, then the rebel may finally come out of me. On the last day, I may do the unthinkable and throw a 10-year-old safety patrol student into a tizzy: I might just park in the principal's spot.
Yes, that is the suburban car-pool parent's idea of living on the edge.
Bob Schwartz is a syndicated humor writer and author of the humorous book on parenting entitled Would Somebody Please Send Me to My Room! To reach him, visit www.schwartzhumor.com.
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© 2005
Arizona Parenting. All rights reserved. |
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