Rocky Mountain Sports Club

(Photo: Rocky Mountain Sports Club).

Exploring yoga and martial arts this summer can offer multiple advantages that will pay off now and in the future.

Warrior Playground Camp

(Photo: Warrior
Playground Camp).

When it comes to healthy activities this summer, your children have a lot of choices, such as team sports, hiking, swimming, camping, boating and much more. While many of these activities combine physical health with personal growth and development, yoga and martial arts probably do the most when it comes to encouraging kids and families to be healthy in both body and mind.

Yoga at Rocky Mountain Sports Club
While Yoga is known for its health benefits for adults, it can also provide numerous benefits to children, such as building strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga is also an excellent way for children to manage their emotions and reduce anxiety. It boosts self-esteem and helps build confidence and mindfulness.

As lifelong athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and parents of athletic kids, Tim and Nina Sloan of Rocky Mountain Sports Club have talked much recently about a rising disconnect in our culture’s approach to athletic accomplishment. The drive to achieve often displaces the critical, fundamental foundations that promote physical and mental wellness. This trend could easily lead to long-term repercussions.

They were ready to offer something different.

Rocky Mountain Sports Club offers year-round classes and programs for kids, adults and families to promote healthy bodies and minds. For children in particular, Rocky Mountain Sports Club offers kids yoga, yoga for young/competitive athletes, and self-defense courses for pre-teens and teens.

In addition to their many kid-focused classes, Rocky Mountain Sports Club offers a wide variety of classes for all ages and abilities, such as Yoga, Small Group Fitness, Barre, Zumba, Yoga for Veterans, Prenatal & Postpartum Yoga Groups & Workshops, and Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s & Stroke Recovery patients.

> For more information on classes and workshops at Rocky Mountain Sports Club, call 720.288.0048 or visit their website at rockymountainsportsclub.com.

Martial Arts at Warrior Playground Camp
Martial arts have become increasingly popular worldwide as a means of improving physical fitness, self-defense skills and overall well-being. Martial arts provide numerous benefits to children, such as strength, endurance, agility and coordination. Martial arts classes also enhance confidence, self-discipline, focus, and work ethic.

The Awesome Warrior Playground Camp has provided children’s ninja and movement programming to the Longmont area for the last eight years.
Their youth curriculum was developed by American Ninja Warrior athlete and facility Owner Sam Banola, who has years of experience in the fitness industry. The staff are highly trained athletes and coaches, most of whom have competed on American Ninja Warrior and other national ninja and obstacle competitions.
Whether brand new to ninja obstacle courses, all skill levels will have fun, learn, and progress their ability level throughout the week. To master skills safely and at an appropriate level, campers are grouped by age and experience and learn on authentic, full-scale ninja obstacles as seen on popular television shows. Campers will learn the classics, such as the warped wall, salmon ladder, cliffhanger, quad steps, wing nuts, and more, and develop balance, body awareness, and agility.

The program also covers training safety, falling appropriately, and the mental skills of facing challenges, creating discipline and building confidence.

Camp is held every week of summer, starting June 5 and going through to August 11, excluding the 4th of July week. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with five and three-day options. Ages 5 to 13 are welcome, as are all levels of skill.

> To learn more about Warrior Playground Camp or to register, visit start.warriorplayground.com/summercamp or call 303.485.1000.

By John Teehan, Raised in the Rockies