July 24, 2006, 05:28 PM
Yoga for Kids
Anne Marie Tiernon/Eyewitness News
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Today's kids are often overbooked and stressed out. Those who are not active are often overweight. Easing their pressures is a Hoosier pioneer who decades ago thought children could benefit from yoga if it were adapted to their level. Thus began YogaKids, now very much in vogue, which brings benefits to Indianapolis schools.
Marsha Wenig, YogaKids founder, makes her impact on Hoosier kids as well as customers overseas. "I just came back from Singapore and Malaysia," she said.
Wenig's story is one of small town success stemming from a simple vision that an ancient Hindu philosophy is relevant for today's children.
"Yoga's worked for five thousand years and it continues to work when it's given to children in kid-sized portions. They get it," said Wenig.
They get it because Marsha Wenig gets kids. "I knew I had to hold the children's attention long enough to teach them yoga," she said. YogaKids is noisy, silly and profitable.
Wenig is the undisputed international guru of YogaKids. "When I look back, yes, it's been incredible," she said.
Her trademark reach is through hundreds and thousands of videos sold. They have been translated into German and Japanese, and YogaKids has trained instructors. "We actually have teachers in 30 countries around the world and they all come here to Michigan City, Indiana," said Wenig.
Among the teachers who trained with Wenig is Judy Stasek, who brought YogaKids to Indianapolis Public Schools.
"The response I got at first was, what is yoga and what are we gonna do?" Stasek said.
A career educator, Stasek believes student pressures are eased with postures and poses, not pills.
"I see a lot of stress from what is required of them academically. There is a lot of peer pressure, a lot of things from home that they bring into the school setting," Stasek said.
Even fourth graders can have stress. That tension is released during a YogaKids class, which also serves as an outlet to express anger, let go of it and get centered.
Wenig's next project is Tools for Schools, which involves taking yoga to the classroom and integrating it with a regular curriculum. "Children learn through movement. They can't sit still for whatever reason," Wenig said.
IU and Purdue researchers are tracking Tools for Schools' impact. Wenig predicts definitive proof in the scientific study: improved understanding of lessons and life.
"They're getting it; on whatever level, they get it. And with repetition they slow down and calm down and begin to love it," said Wenig.
The philosophy is reinforced privately for Wenig who runs a business with worldwide reach as she retains the teachings that, when shared with children everywhere, put her on top.
"I shine my light and make the world a better place," she said.
Wenig first sold tapes in the hundreds. Now demand is in the tens of thousands. Tapes include lessons for parents so they can teach their children, and also for teachers who want to use Tools for Schools.
Wenig promotes positive movement while young, a valuable tool throughout life.
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