One day, a little girl called Zara was feeling so excited.

 

"Mom I can't wait to go to my yoga class today," said Zara,  "my teacher said I can talk about yoga." 

 

“That's very good," replied Zara’s mom proudly. 

 

Zara had been practising yoga for several months now and had made so much progress.  Last week Zara’s mom had asked Zara's teacher, Miss Kaminski if Zara could share some yoga benefits with her class.

 

Miss Kaminski was very impressed and told Zara's mom she would ask Zara to talk about the benefits in the next yoga class.

 

"Come on Zara," called Zara’s dad, "time for your yoga class." 

 

Zara gave her mom a big hug and said, "I'll tell you all about it when I get back mom."

 

"Great," replied Zara’s mom, smiling.  "Don't forget you have an appointment with the dentist this afternoon."

"Oh boo!" said Zara.  She didn't like going to the dentist but did understand that having her teeth checked was very important.

 

“You’ll be fine,” said mom.  “Don’t worry about going to the dentist and enjoy your yoga class.”

 

“Okay,” replied Zara.

 

Zara and her dad got into their car and off they went.

 

Arriving at her yoga class, Zara’s excitement was like a bottle of fizzy pop!

"Good morning children," greeted Miss Kaminski. 

 

"Today Zara will start our yoga class by sharing the benefits of yoga.  Zara joined my yoga class a few months ago and I’m so proud that she's got the confidence to share how yoga has helped her."

Tilly and Jessica, who also attend the same yoga class starting clapping for Zara.  Getting up in front of the class is a very brave thing to do they both thought.

 

Zara came to the front of the hall and Miss Kaminski smiled at her encouragingly.

 

"Hello everyone," began Zara.  "Thank you for listening to me today and I hope you will enjoy hearing about the benefits of yoga, and why I've been coming to this class for over 6 months.”

 

“When I joined this class I wasn't very confident, but after a few weeks I realised that my confidence was slowly building up.  I started believing in myself and telling myself that I can do things which I thought I couldn't do before.” 

 

Zara smiled at her dad and continued, “for example, when I first started doing yoga I wouldn’t have been comfortable talking to you, but now I don't feel nervous at all."

 

“I am also more aware of myself, as while doing yoga my busy mind isn't busy because I concentrate on breathing and relaxing my body.

 

 "Well done Zara," said Miss Kaminski putting both her thumbs up.

 

"I have also realised that if I'm feeling worried about anything doing yoga helps calm my mind and then I feel happy again," continued Zara thoughtfully.

 

"Since doing yoga I have learnt to concentrate more," explained Zara.  "Learning how to do this in my yoga classes has helped me to apply my concentration to other things.  I can concentrate longer at school and also when I'm helping my mom and dad at home," said Zara proudly.

Miss Kaminski stood up and started clapping and the children joined in too.  It was clear from Miss Kaminski’s face how happy she was hearing Zara talk so highly of her yoga classes.

 

“This is wonderful Zara, I'm so pleased attending yoga classes has helped you in so many ways.  Good girl and keep up the amazing work," said Miss Kaminski.

 

Zara went and sat with Tilly and Jessica who both smiled proudly at their friend.

 

"Okay children, before we start our yoga class what do we have to do first?" asked Miss Kaminski.

 

“Warm ups Miss Kaminski!" shouted all the children loudly as they sang the song.  Tilly, Jessica and Zara were the first ones to get up.

 

“1 2 3 4 5 clap your hands and touch your toes

6 7 8 9 10 turnaround and stretch your arms

Let’s jog on the spot

And be a robot

Now that we’re all done

It’s time to have some fun.”

 

“Keeping active is fun,” said Zara as they finished their warm ups.

 

After the yoga class had finished the children said goodbye to each other and left with their parents.

 

As Zara arrived home, her mom was getting lunch ready.

 

"Hi mom," said Zara cheerfully.

 

“Hello Zara, how was your yoga class? Did you get nervous talking to the children?” asked Zara’s mom looking a bit concerned.

 

“No mom,” said Zara calmly.  “It was the most amazing feeling standing in front of the class and sharing with them how happy yoga has made me feel.”  Zara told her mom all about it and her mom's worried expression soon turned into a very big proud smile.

 

“Well done my darling," said Zara’s mom while hugging her.  “I’m so proud of you.”

 

“Thanks mom,” replied Zara.

 

”Go and wash your hands," instructed mom, “lunch is almost ready and then we are off to see the dentist.”

 

Zara washed her hands carefully with soap making sure to rub between her fingers too. "Keeping my hands clean is very important,” she told herself, “as washing my hands washes away any germs that may be on them.  Germs are invisible and will never beat me at keeping my hands clean, especially before I eat.”

 

 

After lunch, mom took Zara to the dentist.

 

"Now remember Zara," said mom, "it's nothing to be nervous about.  I'm sure the dentist will be pleased like she always is because you are very good at looking after your teeth."

 

As Zara and her mom were about to enter the building they saw Arjun leaving.

 

Hello Arjun," greeted Zara's mom.

 

“Hello,” replied Arjun.  He looked at Zara and said, "don't look so worried Zara!.  I've had my check up, it was easy.  I also had a well done sticker and I'm sure you’ll get one too.”

 

   

Arjun’s dad who just came out of the building also told Zara not to worry and that she would be fine.

 

"I hope so," said Zara, crossing her fingers.  “I always brush my teeth in the morning and before bed and I don't eat many sweets or chocolates.”

 

Zara's mom started laughing, "come on Zara, you’ll be fine, no need to be nervous."  Mom held Zara’s hand and gave it a little squeeze to help her feel at ease.

 

Zara and her mom said goodbye to Arjun and his dad.

 

Zara was called in straight away and asked to sit comfortably on the chair.

 

 

After having her check up Zara received her well done sticker.

 

The dentist told Zara how happy she was to see that she was looking after her teeth. “Keep up the good brushing and not eating too many sweets,” said the dentist.

 

“Thank you,” said Zara giving the dentist the world’s biggest smile before leaving with her mom.