New programs for the whole family

Yoga available for kids in daycares
A growing number of children are learning about yoga through classes being offered in daycares or preschools. Two Montrealers, Aline Reizian and Stephanie Sohan, have been going into these childcare centres and making yoga classes fun for kids. A typical class consists of a brief warm-up and various poses that tap into children’s imaginations. For example, children get to roar like a lion, bark like a dog, grow like a tree and swing a trunk like an elephant. The teachers keep kids engaged by adding a familiar song to a pose or creating a story such as a trip to the zoo. Classes for 3- to 5-year-olds run for about 20 minutes. The women also offer group and private lessons and do yoga birthday parties. For more information, call (514) 825-8296 or go to www.lotus-fit.ca or www.alineyoga.ca. 

Little ones can learn to cross-country ski 
Based in Morin Heights, the Viking Ski Club will offer beginner cross-country ski lessons (10 sessions) for children ages 4 and up starting January 9. The club also offers a challenging program for teenagers 13 to 16. Norm Horner, a club member, says people enjoy the fun, family atmosphere of the club. Adults can ski along 55 kilometres of scenic trails while their kids take lessons. For more information about the lessons and events at the club, visit www.vikingskiclub.ca.

New Pilates studio in Montreal West 
Action Sport Physio, a physiotherapy clinic in Montreal West, has opened a private Pilates studio called Pilates Precision, complete with apparatus. Samya Tatone, a Pilates teacher trainer, says that the studio is open both to clients of the clinic as well as anyone interested in participating in either private or small group Pilates sessions. Specialty training is also offered for teenage and adult athletes, and pre- and post-natal women. Tatone says interest in Pilates is growing rapidly and that this studio provides people with training by highly qualified personnel. Pilates Precision Studio is located at 14a Westminster Ave. W. in Montreal West. For more information, call (514) 485-9292.

West Island Pilates has a new location
From January 4 to 10, West Island Pilates will celebrate its move to a new location in Pointe Claire by offering a series of trial classes in dance, yoga and fitness. Participants can purchase a trial package for $40, which gives them access to many of the centre’s classes (Pilates and reformer lessons are not included). There’s a lot to choose from, including Blast, bootcamp, stretch conditioning, contemporary, cardio hip hop and belly dancing. The centre’s usual fees range from $150 for 10 fitness-type classes to $352 for two sessions a week of yoga or Pilates over a 12-week period. The new studio is at 18 Place Triad, near Highway 40 and St. Jean Blvd., Pointe Claire. For more information, call (514) 426-2999 or go to www.westislandpilates.com.

Gymnastics for boys 
Club de gymnastique artistique Gadbois has recently introduced classes for boys at its club located at the Atwater Market. Kids 18 months and older can sign up to learn the basics of gymnastics. Classes for older children hone their gymnastics skills on various pieces of equipment. The club offers girls and boys all levels of classes as well as tumbling for more advanced students and training for competitive gymnasts. Classes run from January 9 until June 14. For more information, call (514) 872-3043 or you can register online at www.gymgadbois.com. 

Exercise “boot camp” for kids
With almost 25 per cent of Canadian kids bordering on obesity, getting enough exercise has never been more important. Since October, Certified Fitness Consultant Phyllis Frost has been teaching kids to get fit while having fun through her Fit Bodies Boot Camp. She will have sessions throughout the winter for 9- to 16-year-olds, which will be held in a room at the Loblaws in Pierrefonds. The boot camp class includes activities such as limbo challenges and leap frog designed to help kids improve agility and strength. The 10-week winter session offers classes Mondays through Thursdays for kids and adults. It costs $179 for one class per week, or $269 for unlimited classes for kids. Adults can take one class a week for $179 or two classes for $225. For more information, call (514) 241-9494 or email fitbodiesbootcamp@gmail.com.