Wai Lana's Little Yogis

Posted: 04/09/2007 In Category(s): Reviews :: Product Reviews

Wai Lana is a large line of yoga gear, props and lifestyle items from its founder and lead instructor from Hawaii by the name of, you guessed it, Wai Lana.

We took a look at her DVD for kids, ages 3 to 8, as well as the kit that came with it that included a mat, poster and tote.

Wai Lana Little Yogis

The packaging and marketing are dynamic and colorful and are sure to grab any parent. The mat is nifty since it's a true yoga sticky mat "just like mommy's and daddy's" but kid-sized and screen-printed with pictures of a few yoga poses. The poster has colorful cartoon pictures of little kids doing the poses with descriptions (more for the parents than the kids since most younger than 8 won't likely have the focus or perhaps the ability to read the text).

The intent is marvelous, but we found the age-rating for the DVD instruction to range a bit higher than likely appropriate. We had a few kids ages 6½ to 8½ take a look and they found Wai Lana's over-done makeup, uber-expressive instructions and larger-than-life smile to be a bit much. Their parents had a hard time not laughing, although if you could go beyond the makeup and theatrical nature, what she taught was right-on.

If the package was sold and marked for kids 3 to 5, perhaps it would be a go for us and for the kids we know. Still, the mat and tote were great for kids up to age 9 at least. The poster was a better for the parents or teachers, and the instructional book was again better for the younger age range.

Although a good instructor, Wai Lana seems to be trying with the Little Yogis line to be all things to all kids, which is simply not possible.

SNEWS® Rating: 3.0 hands clapping (1 to 5 hands clapping possible, with 5 clapping hands representing functional and design perfection)

Suggested Retail: $35 (kit with tote and mat), $13 (DVD), $10 (Video)

For more information: www.wailana.com

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