Q. When I see yoga classes, the participants look still and calm. How do you get energetic young children to become interested in yoga?
A. Our classes are a combination of high-energy activity and calm mindful movement. Over an 8 week incursion programme we include challenge activities to demonstrate the benefits of being still and calm and discuss how this enhances our ability to perform well in other sports. We use words and analogies to engage the students’ imagination and we find that when delivered with a fast-pace students are keen to make different shapes with their bodies and test their balance and strength. At the end of the class students have had a workout and they want to be still and calm!

Q. How does Yoganauts deliver their program?
A. Yoganauts weekly classes are 30 to 35 minutes in length. The Yoganauts instructor sets up yoga mats and props in the school hall, library or a classroom. Each teacher accompanies their students to the class and supervises. Teachers are encouraged to join in with the breathing and movement exercises and can count their supervision of the class towards their Professional Development hours.

Q. Is yoga difficult for children?
A. No, most children feel very comfortable performing the physical exercises and we encourage the practice in a non-competitive environment. We offer different variations of the poses so that every child can feel a sense of achievement.

Q. There are many distracted students in my class. How will you engage them?
A. We use a form of whole class teamwork in which students receive positive feedback from the trainer and their classmates for paying attention. We have a number of class management strategies for dealing with distracted students including assigning them special responsibilities and roles within the class. However, some students take a few sessions to settle into the class so our goal is to make the class so much fun they want to be involved!

Q. Is yoga a religion?
A. Yoga is not a religion and the Yoganauts brand is not connected to any religious or spiritual matters. Our format and programs have been created by an exercise scientist with a leadership team comprising of experienced Australian school teachers. Our focus is on the science based research which links breathing exercises and physical exercises to healthy outcomes.