ENTIRE schools are taking up yoga in a bid to boost student well-being and health.

Little yogis at Ardross Primary School took to the matt from the beginning of Term 2, with children from Year 1 to Year 6 practising weekly.

Schoolteacher and yoga teacher Michelle Renton, owner of Yogazoo, ran the classes at Ardross at the invitation of a parent and teacher.

The school received some funding from Healthways and parents contribute a small fee.

Our Lady of Fatima in Palmyra was the first school to take on Yogazoos Mindfulness program last year, which included a term of in-class mindfulness lessons and a term of mindfulness movement/yoga.

St Benedict’s Primary, Palmyra Primary School and All Saints have also offered yoga classes.

Ms Renton said kids yoga helped children relax and unwind, reducing stress and anxiety and promoting a health and active lifestyle.

The yoga sessions were suitable for children of all abilities and were non-religious.

“It is about keeping young bodies and minds healthy,” she said.

“We introduce breathing, movement and relaxation in a fun and non-competitive way.

“From Year 1-3 boys and girls are really keen. By the time they get to Year 4 the boys start to become more self conscious thinking yoga is a ‘girl thing’ but I remind them that yoga originated from men and that many top sports people including Aussie rules football teams do yoga to keep strong, flexible and to prevent injuries,” she said.