Yoga is said to have a positive and profound affect on all ages...so why not kids? That's the believe of a Manhattan Beach yoga teacher who is starting up a free yoga class for kids on the beach at Bruce's Beach.

The first class will be offered on Saturday, September 8, at 10:00 am. It is aimed at children ages 3 to 5.

Teacher Catherine Arellano has been certified as a kids' yoga teacher through the Grounded Kids program, which helps kids learn to become "grounded" through yoga, laughter, and elevation. 

"I have been practicing yoga for 10 years now and it has transformed my life. I am much happier, healthier and stronger than I have ever been," said Arellano. "This has always made me wonder: What would it have been like if I had grown up with yoga?

Arellano continued: "What I hope to bring the kids through yoga is what yoga brought to me: a greater ease of living. We live in abundance but we also live with an abundance of stress. Yoga has brought me calm and peace and the ability to find stillness in the midst of busyness. What a great gift for a child to start out life with such a wonderful, giving practice. And what an amazing gift for me to be to give children this foundation."

Arellano was born in Brooklyn, NY, into a large Ecuadorian family. She moved to town three months ago after falling in love with the West Coast and discovering Manhattan Beach. "It's a family beach town. I saw a place where I could follow my passions, which are teaching kids yoga and Spanish."

She adds that she always sprinkles in a little bit of Spanish with her yoga classes as well. "I think it's a great way to make learning the language easy."

If you are interested in the class, please reach out to Arellano at [email protected]. Children attending the class should bring a towel or beach mat. Donations are welcome but not necessary.