TODDLERS at one Blackpool playgroup have found a way of keeping fit and happy -- yoga!

For the past few weeks, three and four-year-olds at St John Vianney Playschool, Glastonbury Avenue have been enjoying regular yoga lessons.

British Wheel of Yoga instructor Cathy Jordan drops in once a week to teach breathing, relaxation and basic postures -- many of which are named after animals -- by weaving them into stories and games.

"Children of that age don't naturally sit still for very long, though you do find you can have moments of stillness," mum-of-three Cathy said. It's a case of trying to make it fun, making animal shapes, and lots of moves."

Even understanding grown-up ideas can be child's play when you're enjoying activities like the 'spaghetti game'.

Cathy explained: "I brought in some uncooked spaghetti for the children to look at and touch.

"Then we looked at cooked spaghetti and thought about the difference, so I could introduce the concept of relaxation in a way they could understand. As children get older I can bring in other techniques, improving their circulation, keeping them supple and challenging the muscle groups."

Yoga for children is widely used in France and other European countries said Cathy, who has taught in other Fylde Coast schools, as well as leading a mums and toddlers class in St Annes and adult classes too.

"Due to today's society and the stress that children sadly are under from a very early age yoga gives them ways of coping with that," Cathy said. Cathy can be contacted on 317858.

Playschool places are available free to all children from the first term after their third birthday, St John Vianney Playschool supervisor Agnes Quinn advises.

"It applies all over Blackpool. You get forms from your health visitor and the places are funded by the local education authority," she said.