Erin Stephens, Special to the News Journal Published 7:00 a.m. CT Sept. 3, 2020 | Updated 12:23 p.m. CT Sept. 3, 2020

No matter the age, every person needs exercise for the body and brain.

At First City Art Center, children ages 5-12 can take in the physical and mental benefits of its Yoga and Art for Kids classes in a relaxed environment.

Yoga and Arts for Kids classes are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month starting in September. Each class is $40 per child. A discounted fee of $35 is available to members of First City Art Center.

First City Art Center is a hands-on community art center that engages the imagination, inspires creative exploration, and cultivates economic and cultural growth, according to the organizations mission statement. Individual and group memberships to the non-profit are available through its website.

A student practices yoga during the First City Art Center's Yoga and Art for Kids class, which resume this month.(Photo: Courtesy)

The Yoga and Arts for Kids program is resuming this month with wellness and COVID-19 safety in mind.

Our goal with yoga and art is to teach children mindfulness that will benefit them throughout their daily lives, said Youth Art educatorNicolette Dugas.

Dugas is a certified Galactic Child Yoga teacher through Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center. She said the Yoga and Art for Kids classes provide children an opportunity to express their creativity through movement and art.

Yoga for children has many benefits including body awareness, improved circulation and digestion, balanced energy, flexibilityand stress relief, pointing to the synergy of the activity.

Each class begins with 45 minutes of yoga followed by art activities, with a snack break in between.

We discuss our theme of the day, practice basic yoga poses and sequences, dance, play games, sing songs, and learn breathing techniques. Themes of each class include animals, Earth and the ocean.

The art activities differ from class to class, and cover a variety of mediums including printmaking, sewing and ceramics, she said.

Each child will be provided with their own art kit and will learn about elements such as line, composition and form.

Students prepare to practice yoga at the First City Arts Center Yoga and Art for Kids class.(Photo: Courtesy)

Children are asked to bring a snack, reusable water bottleand yoga mat. Mats are provided if needed.

I want every child to leave with a heightened awareness of their mind, bodyand surroundings feeling grounded and joyful, said Dugas.

First City Art Center is following all CDC guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting the classroom, she added. Masks are required inside the classroom and children are allowed to take off their masks while on the yoga mat.

Register each month at https://www.firstcityart.org/product/yoga-art-kids/.

Due to COVID-19, classes are limited to eight students or less with work spaces six feet apart. Masks are required indoors and when students are within six feet of each other. Sharing of supplies is limited. Hand sanitizer and other personal protection equipment are available to students.

Ages 5-12

First City Art Center

Every first and third Saturday per month

10 a.m. noon

$40 per class, per child. $35 for members of First City Art Center

For more information, contact First City Art Center at 850-429-1222, email info@firstcityart.org or visit firstcityart.org.

Read or Share this story: https://www.pnj.com/story/entertainment/2020/09/03/first-city-art-center-pensacola-returns-class-yoga-and-arts-kids/5695348002/

See the original post here:
First City Art Center returns to class with Yoga and Arts for Kids - Pensacola News Journal