Whenever I see ads for Montreal kids’ yoga classes, I wonder how those teachers tame a group of little monkeys into tranquility. Certainly, the rest of us parents could learn something from them! So, today we’re meeting Kate Hudson, who specializes in yoga for moms, babies and children.

I Spy Montreal: Hi Kate, please introduce yourself!

Kate Hudson: I am originally from England, and moved here to Montreal about 14 yrs ago. I live and teach yoga in N.D.G. I have been teaching yoga for just over 10 years, and was always interested in teaching to children of all ages. I now specialize in Prenatal Yoga, Mom and Baby Yoga and Yoga for Kids of all ages. I am the director of Little Lotus Yoga for Kids Teacher Training Program, which offers training to yoga teachers and educators who are interested in teaching yoga to kids.

I currently offer Mom and Baby Yoga and Parents and Toddler’s Yoga, as well as Kripalu Inspired Yoga for Adults, at Yogaspace Studio in N.D.G./Westmount. In addition to teaching yoga, I am also a certified homeopath and love working with children and families in my homeopathy practice.

I Spy Montreal: Most adults’ yoga classes are geared at calming down, but kids often seem to prefer doing the exact opposite. How do you modify your teaching approach for young children?

Kate Hudson: When teaching yoga to young children we have to let go of all our ideas about how a yoga class should be and enter into the children’s minds and ways of seeing the world. Children love to run around and let off steam, but they also feel stress and often have trouble with making transitions from a more excited place to feeling calm and quiet. In a kids’ yoga class we allow for a lot of transitions from silly to still and back to silly.

This way we allow for kids to have fun, shake out their sillies, but also to learn how to transition back into stillness. We use games, stories and music to enjoy yoga poses, embodying snakes, lions, cats, dogs, mice, waterfalls and many other yoga postures, allowing for sound, noise, expression and fun, yet incorporating ways to become still and silent within the practice.

I Spy Montreal: What do you hope children and new moms get out of the classes?

Kate Hudson: The main intention of the classes is that moms and babies or children get to enjoy some quality time together away from the usual stresses of family life. Parents and kids enjoy being together in a really present way and bonding in an activity they both enjoy.

For new moms with babies we focus on helping moms to be able to be present with themselves at the same time as being present with their babies. As they come back into their bodies with gentle exercises and core strengthening work, there is always encouragement to listen and be aware of their needs in each moment. The babies are always included in the class with tickles, kisses, hugs and waves. We also have time in the class for baby yoga and massage, and a period of relaxation where moms and babies enjoy some relaxed and focused time together with no tasks.

In parents and toddlers yoga, the focus is more on the kids, allowing the space for them to become more aware of themselves and their bodies, and to have fun, express themselves, stimulate their imagination, and to move and have fun with their parents.

I Spy Montreal: Can you suggest any “tranquilizing” poses/techniques that parents can practice with hyperactive kids at home?

Kate Hudson: For kids who have trouble focusing, any posture that involves balancing can be helpful. In order to balance we have to focus and concentrate, which brings the mind away from everything else and into the task. The traditional yoga poses to try would be Tree, Eagle or Stork, but just balancing on one leg in any way can be helpful.

Another technique we use in kid’s yoga is what we call “silly to still”. We meet the child where they are at in an excited state and enter into it with them, and then slowly bring them down into a more calm state of mind. An example would be started with some very silly dancing to fast and wild music, and slowly changing the music to something more slow and calm. Going from dancing with the whole body to just the fingers and toes, and finally to sitting or lying and just imagining the dancing in a slow and calm flowy way.

Finally, deep breathing is always a great tool for kids and adults alike. For young kids, you can practice blowing out candles (use fingers for props).

I Spy Montreal: Can you suggest any “tranquilizing” poses/techniques that stressed-out parents can practise at home?

Kate Hudson: Deep breathing is always the first step to calming down and bringing awareness to the body and the mind. Slowing down the breath and allowing the body and mind to follow can really help to bring us back to our centre, and to feel more grounded and calm.

Forward-bending postures are also known to help us surrender and let go. An easy example is standing with knees a little bent and just letting the upper body hang down. On each exhale, let the body relax even more.

I Spy Montreal: Can you share a favourite family weekend activity?

Kate Hudson: We love to walk our dog, Max, in Angell Woods in Beaconsfield, or up on Mount Royal. Both our boys (age 9 and 12) also love an afternoon in a Ceramics Café (we go to the one on St. Denis St.). We like to go to make gifts for birthdays or Christmas. They have also really enjoyed the free kids workshops offered by Home Depot, once per month on Sundays.

Great to meet you, Kate!

Main image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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The Westmount Street Festival has lots to keep the kids busy this weekend – weather permitting! Our Saturday morning visit was great: the kids bounced, decorated cookies and painted – all for free!

Westmount merchants along Victoria Ave. and Sherbrooke St. have moved their wares out onto the street. There are also tons of artists displaying their canvasses. But for kids who aren’t into bargain-hunting, there are other activities to keep them busy.

On the corner of Sherbrooke Ave. and Prince Albert, there’s a giant inflatable slide. While our six-year-old was busy tumbling down the slide, our four-year-old was decorating cookies, courtesy of Le Fournil bakery on Victoria Ave.

After the cookie-decorating, we spent about half an hour outside the Westmount Visual Arts Centre, where kids could paint a huge canvas using sponges, rollers, tennis balls, brushes and spray bottles.

It’s a festive atmosphere, with tons of balloons and live music. There’s also food galore: everything from cotton candy to Korean barbecue. The Westmount Street Festival continues through Sunday, June 12, though rain may dampen some of the activities.

Did you go to the Westmout Street Festival? What did you think?

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Westmount is now on the list of Montreal areas where expecting and new parents can receive a Welcome Wagon birth-of-baby gift basket. The baskets are free, delivered to your door, and give you the low-down on local family-friendly services and resources.

The organization, which has been around for decades, packs the baskets with community information relevant to new moms and dads, as well as promotional gifts (including samples and discounts) from local shops and businesses. If you’re expecting, or have a newborn, you’re eligible to receive one.

Welcome Wagon’s Westmount rep is Catherine Sumague, who has a 3-year-old daughter and a second on the way. Catherine, who also has her own marketing company, n’compass, has been busy finding local businesses to contribute to the baskets, and has some great gifts and information to offer. Let’s get a sneak peek!

ISM: How did you hear of Welcome Wagon, and what made you decide to start the service in Westmount? Where else is the service available?

Catherine Sumague. Photo courtesy of MellanieD Photography.

Catherine Sumague: I heard about Welcome Wagon through my girlfriend, who is a community rep for Welcome Wagon in Dorval. A community rep visits people who have just moved to a new home and brings them a community Welcome Wagon basket.

My girlfriend asked me if I would be interested in Westmount, as they were looking for a rep for their birth-of-baby Welcome Wagon baskets. It felt natural to come on board. I use most of the services in Westmount and I am surrounded by new mommies.

Also, I am big advocate of supporting local businesses. The entrepreneurs I have met doing this have been inspiring, and the new mommies I have visited have been so fantastic. I have learned things from both sides. All in all, this experience has been both positive and rewarding.

Welcome Wagon services are now available in N.D.G., Victoriaville, the West Island and Westmount.

ISM: Is it appropriate for new parents to simply contact a Welcome Wagon rep in their area and ask for a basket? Can people sign up to receive one when they’re pregnant? What’s the etiquette?

Catherine: Definitely! But the easiest way to sign up, if you are not certain who your rep is, is either online at www.havingababy.ca or by calling 1-866-283-7579. Your information will then be forwarded to the appropriate rep. We also have a Welcome Wagon N.D.G., West Island, Westmount Facebook Page.

There is absolutely no charge to receive a birth-of-baby Welcome Wagon basket. The only criterion is that your baby is less than 1 year old. If you are currently expecting, you can sign up now, and your basket will be ready to be delivered to you after you give birth.

ISM: Can you give an example of one of the gifts inside the basket?

Catherine: The baskets vary for each territory, as each one is catered to the community. All the baskets are filled with so many amazing goodies from local businesses.

For N.D.G. and Westmount, one of the gifts is from Mama Zone, a Quebec company that makes biodegradable diapers and baby wipes (Here’s a video demo of the diapers). You can find her products across Canada in pharmacies and natural and health food stores. Conveniently, she also has an online store!

She gives an eco-responsible Mama Zone product from her line, plus a $10 gift certificate to use on her online store. What I love about Mama Zone is that a percentage of her sales goes to the David Suzuki Foundation.

ISM: Aside from the gifts, the baskets also contain community information that’s relevant to new parents. Is there information in there about the area that you wish you had had as a new mom?

Catherine: Sure! I didn’t know that the Westmount YMCA had so many classes catered to the new mommy. For example, every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., they give a FREE mommy/baby stroller aero cardio class. It is a great way to meet other mommies, bond with baby and burn calories.

ISM: Can you share a favourite family weekend activity or destination?

Catherine: Westmount Park is a favourite destination, as well as picnics on the canal by Atwater Market.

With a second child on the way, I am sure you will be able to find us at Melons et Clémentines, a very inviting and specialized breastfeeding café/boutique that has a little play area, a comfy sitting area, workshops, fitness classes and a great selection of trendy clothing and accessories. It is a one-stop destination!

ISM: Great to meet you, Catherine!

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Aladdin by Left of Centre Theatre Company.

You know a show has kids’ attention when they’re calling out “No!” or “He’s right behind you!” to the characters on the stage.

That’s part of the joy of staging the show Aladdin for Simone Nichol, director of Left of Centre Theatre Company. After a very positive response to the show last year, Nichol is bringing it back to several venues in February and March.

The show tells the story of Aladdin and his lamp, but when Aladdin falls in love with Princess Jasmine, things go awry and the lamp gets stolen. In true pantomime style, the show features a far-fetched plot, slapstick, some cross-dressing, and a script written to appeal to kids and grownups.

The children sit on the floor, right in front of the action, and their participation is very much encouraged. The story is told with just a few props, but Nichol says it keeps kids engaged for 90 minutes (with 10-minute break), because of the interactive nature of the script. The characters are played by trained actors, including Oliver Koomsatira as Aladdin, who received the 2008 Elsa Bolam award for emerging artist.

Nichol recommends the show for age 4 and up, but she says children as young as two – who won’t follow the whole storyline – can still come along for the ride.

Here’s the lineup for Aladdin (all performances are in English):

At Victoria Hall, 4626 Sherbrooke St. W., Westmount
Feb. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.

At Centaur Theatre, 453 St. François Xavier St., Old Montreal
Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

At St. George Anglican Church, 1101 Stanley St.
Feb. 26 and 27 at 2:30 p.m.
March 6 at 2:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults $12, children $8
Tickets: 514-523-2716 or leftofcentretheatre@gmail.com
Watch the promo video.

If you’ve seen the show, leave your comments below!

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Westmount Park
Address: Corner of Sherbrooke and Melville Sts., Westmount (view map).
Bathrooms: There are bathrooms in the park and in the Westmount Library.

One of Montreal’s most beautiful downtown playgrounds, Westmount Park hosts water fountains and various sports facilities on its 26-acre spread. The idyllic landscaping includes a winding waterway with small waterfalls and an “island” with a massive tree that’s meant for climbing. The park is at the centre of the community – next to the Westmount Library, the municipal greenhouses, and across the street from the Westmount YMCA.

Playground Caters to age 5 and Under
The equipment at Westmount Park is well suited to toddlers, up to around age five. There are two climbing structures for different age groups, as well as swings for little and big kids. The slides at this park are some of the slowest and tamest you have ever seen! There are a couple of features you don’t see at many parks, though, like the teeter totter for four and the balance beam. For parents of young ones, there are plenty of benches surrounding the park and some picnic tables under the surrounding trees. There’s a roomy sandpit here, so bring shovels and pails. In the summer, the kids can cool down by running through the water jets.

Exploring the Rest of the Park
When kids are done at the playground, you can take the path along the waterway, check out some ducks, mini waterfalls, and the island at the end of the park. If you bring a soccer ball, you can also practice scoring goals at the adjacent soccer field. Westmount arena and swimming pool are at the south end of the park. The other beautiful feature – perhaps more interesting to parents than kids – is the municipal greenhouse. Look for the white building next to the library and step into a free, mini version of the Botanical Gardens. If you want to explore another beautiful Westmount Park, head a few blocks north to Murray Hill Park.

Where to Eat?
The park is a few blocks from Westmount’s commercial strip on Sherbrooke St., where most of the eateries have limited seating and nothing stands out as being particularly child-friendly. You may want to bring your own food for a picnic at the park or plan to eat elsewhere. In case of emergency snack attacks (I know I’m not the only one), you can buy granola bars and drinks from vending machines in the YMCA.

Is Westmount Park one of your favourites?

All I Spy Montreal Guided Park Tours.

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