Author brings yoga concepts to kids

Sparta — Angie Miller had been a yoga teacher for 15 years, holding more than 20 adult classes a week all over Sussex County. But when she began teaching yoga to children at a local Catholic school, she had the idea of writing a children’s book to introduce yoga to kids in a fun, friendly way, so she wrote “Animals Do Yoga and So Do I.” Miller said, “The book illustrates in bright, bold colors some of the yoga poses named after animals. In the Eastern cultures, animals are held in high esteem, and children love animals. What better way to teach them how we are all interconnected than to imitate animals in a way that promotes the union of body, mind and spirit.” Teaching yoga to children has become a passion for the certified elementary school teacher, and with her book, she is able to share the physical as well as social benefits of yoga. “Yoga is a non-competitive physical activity that any child can do. And this book is a great teaching tool, not just for yoga, but for self-expression, body awareness and yoga as a play-based activity.” Miller wrote the book and initially planned to illustrate the book herself, after working unsuccessfully with three different illustrators. “I wanted the poses to be exact, but the pictures of the animals were to be in watercolor. It was hard for the illustrators I worked with to understand. Finally, my mom suggested a family friend, and it just worked out.” The book was published through XLibris, a print-on-demand publisher who got her book onto Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and worked diligently to market her book. Eventually, “Animals Do Yoga and So Do I” was reviewed by the holiday edition of the New York Times Book Review. She was so successful with the first book, Miller decided to work on another with her five year old daughter called, “The Yoga According to Carly” coming out in April. “I think writing is great way to express yourself, and so is yoga. What a great combination for kids.”