Teddy Bear Yoga Brings Free Family Movement Sessions to Lethbridge Library

Teddy Bear Yoga at the Crossings Branch of Lethbridge Public Library draws families into the library for a half-hour of movement, music and imaginative play each Saturday from 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. The free, family-friendly drop-in is designed for children aged three and up and their caregivers, trading traditional quiet poses for activities that put play at the center of early movement.

Parents and children rolled out yoga mats side by side for Teddy Bear Yoga, a free, family-friendly program that trades silence and serious poses for movement, imagination, song and plenty of smiles. Children are encouraged to bring a favourite stuffed animal to act as a partner during poses; observers see teddy bears tucked under arms, balanced on knees or carefully positioned at the front of mats. Little bears “rest” in child’s pose, reach overhead during stretches and join group movements, helping make the practice concrete and relatable for preschoolers.

Instructor and Lethbridge Public Library staff member Emily Lumley framed the sessions around pacing and presence. "I try to keep the program moving so that the younger participants stay engaged," Lumley said, and added that she balances active moments with calm ones: "I try to incorporate moments of busyness as well as moments of stillness. It’s really about encouraging everyone in the room to be present together." Lumley said the idea grew out of a desire to combine movement, creativity and accessible programming in a space already familiar to families, and that having adults and children, including her own husband and young daughter, move together is a key part of the design.

Curriculum and tone draw on family-focused children’s yoga practices. Lumley cites Yogapalooza, an online training program by children’s yoga expert Bari Koral, as an influence; the classes blend simple yoga flows with music, song and role-play so skills and calmness can be woven into daily routines at home.

Community response has been encouraging. At the most recent session, 24 adults and children attended, a turnout Lumley described as encouraging for a free, drop-in program. The mixture of caregiver participation and kid-friendly props makes Teddy Bear Yoga a low-barrier option for families who may not feel reflected in traditional fitness spaces.

For families looking for a gentle, playful introduction to yoga and shared movement, Teddy Bear Yoga offers a predictable Saturday slot, no registration and a chance to model active routines together. Expect bright songs, stuffed-animal poses and short, purposeful moments of calm that families can take home and repeat between library visits.