Chevy Chase resident Annie Mahon says that children's lives today are more stress-filled than when she grew up. "Kids today have about a hundred things to do, " said the mother of four. "They get stressed out.""

So, said Mahon, she decided to do something about it, and at first, notions of political activism to curb this trend filled her head. But, "I'm not really the political type." she acknowledged.

Instead, Mahon said, she found a way for area children to relieve some of their tensions through yoga. Two weeks ago, she opened Budding Yogis, a studio geared to bringing the ancient discipline to youths in her neighborhood.

Located at 5615 39th St., Budding Yogis currently host five classes Wednesday through Sunday. And on Monday afternoons, Mahon conducts two classes at Lafayette Elementary, where she started an after-school yoga program last year.

Budding Yogis works with five different age groups, ranging from ages 2 through 4 -- who attend with their parents -- to teenagers, on Sundays.

Most classes last for 45 minutes because "kids' attention spans are not that long," she noted, though the teenagers' classes are running closer to an hour. Prices range from $80 to $100 for the eight- to 10-week sessions, and drop-ins can join for $11, except for the Mommy, Daddy and Me (for the youngest children), which costs $15 per one session.

Mahon, who began doing yoga five years ago, was certfied in New York as a Next Generation Yoga teacher. She also has taught conflict resolution and mediation skills at Lafayette and an aerobics class in Bethesda.

"Yoga combines those two principles," she said of aerobics and conflict resolution. She added that the meditation aspects of yoga are just as important as the physical movements.

Mahon adapts each class depending on the age group. For instance, more "creative" techniques are used for the 2- to 4-year-olds, who seems to respond best to animal noises. "A lot of yoga is imitating nature."

As the kids get older, the less creative the instructor needs to be, Mahon said.

Mahon is the studio's only instructor. Cleveland Park resident Colleen Fisher, who is scheduled to complete her teacher training in April, assists her. In time, Mahon hopes to add more teachers.

Eventually, BUdding Yogis -- found on the Internet at www.buddingyogis.com -- wants to host one or two adult classes and continue the kids' programs.

After the current sessions end in May, Mahon will hold two summer camps at the studio.

Budding Yogis also offers birthday yoga parties -- an idea Mahon learned from her trainer in New York -- for up to 10 children at a cost of $400.