Betsy Reid, 52, is a professional when it comes to relaxation. As she leads her childrens yoga class to Shavasana, which is a period of relaxation, she is reminded that life is at its best when experienced in the spirit of peace.

I tell my kids they cant control whats going on around them but they can control how they react, said Reid.

A childrens librarian, Reid has been hosting a free Friendship Yoga class on Saturday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30 at Gloucesters Sawyer Free Library for children ages 6 to 10, and will be leading a class for middle schoolers at OMaley Middle School in May. She also leads classes at the Peabody Essex Institute in Peabody.

Incorporating stories, poems and songs, Reids classes contain both traditional yoga exercises and upbeat activities to keep the kids engaged.

According to Carol Bender, a childrens librarian at the Peabody Essex Institute, she encouraged Reid to start a yoga program for children. Its a perfect fit for her, said Bender. She is great at what she does.

Thrilled by the opportunity to share her passion for yoga and health, Reid said she was first certified to teach 3- to 5-year-olds. After recognizing a growing interest in the program, she went back and was recertified as an instructor for older children.

I lead my class in a series of relaxing poses and teach them how to breathe deep, said Reid. I remind them to breathe in school if they get a bad grade on a test or if their friends are making them mad. Breathing helps kids make better decisions when presented with challenges.

At Sawyer Free Library, the four-week sessions have been full today marks the final week of the four.

Were very fortunate we have a special fund, the Constance T. Rhinelander Performance Fund, that we use to fund childrens activities at the library, said Christy Rosso, the childrens librarian. Theres been a lot of interest, and a lot of the kids took part.

The Sawyer Free Library is not the only one with childrens yoga. In fact, the movement began five years at the Peabody Essex Institute and spread to Brown Elementary School in Peabody. The programming may eventually be integrated into other local elementary schools health class curriculums.

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