How To Teach Yoga to Kids - Top 8 Tips

Written by A. Simon, August 2019

©️ Minnesota Kid’s Yoga Co., LLC

Let’s be honest, kids aren’t always the calmest or most attentive people out there.

Therefore, teaching kids to be still while also practicing mindfulness in a yoga class can be a challenge…

As a kids yoga teacher, you get asked many questions. These questions can include, “How do you teach kids to be still on their mats?” “How long does a kid’s yoga class actually last?” “Do kids practice sun salutations?” “Do kids think yoga is boring?” and finally, “How does kid’s yoga work exactly?”

I’m not going to say I’m an expert by any means, but I’d like to think I have some valuable resources, experiences, and skill-sets when it comes to creating engaging kid’s yoga classes. The following are my “Top 8 Tips” needed when teaching kids yoga.

Tip #1 - Kid’s Yoga Classes are NOT Adult yoga Classes

Kids yoga and adult yoga classes are completely different, yet very similar. What I mean by that is, kids classes encompass all the things an adult yoga class does, but in much shorter sequences, and in a much more active way. I structure all of my classes in a set sequence:

1 - Introduction

2 - Warm-Ups & Thematic Breaths

3 - Introduction of Yoga Poses & a Sun Salutation

4 - Game(s)

5 - Review of Our Favorite Poses/Breaths

6 - Mindfulness Thought to Take-Away

Yes, adult yoga classes often have sun salutations, and a mindfulness mantra or “intention.” Further, yes adult yoga classes also commonly have a warm-up sequence. However, kids yoga classes are much more interactive. The teacher asks kids questions, and gets them to answer questions as a whole group or as individuals. The teacher has kids take turns introducing themself, as well as, talks to kids about the world they live in. In adult yoga, no one talks besides the teacher. Kids need to know they are heard. They WANT to be heard. Kids crave attention and they thrive on positive feedback. Adults enjoy the 60 minutes of class where they can just be, still, meditative, and effortlessly moving on their mats.

Tip #2 - Kids Need Games

Kids love opportunities to try new things, challenge their already adapted skill-sets, and build new skills. They also love getting to feel competitive in simple ways, most commonly through games. When teaching young kids games, a really important concept to reiterate is, “it’s okay if you DON’T win.” You cannot ALWAYS win. Make sure this message is on repeat! It is a valuable life skill to learn too!

Tip #3 - Kids Yoga Classes Need Transitions

If you try to teach an entire sequence of yoga postures in a kids class, you will lose majority of the kids’ attention. Be sure to switch up activities often. Transitioning from one activity to the next is the BEST way to keep all kids engaged and focused.

Tip #4 - Kids Yoga Classes Need Props

When teaching games, new poses, partner poses, or breathing skills — kids love seeing visuals like props! Helpful props can include bubbles, meddy teddys, posters, wind-mills, mini beanie babies, stress balls, or play-doh. Any small trinket that gets kids hands-on learning practice is perfect!

Tip #5 - Real Life Examples

If you try to teach kids only yoga named postures such as “warrior 2,” “fetal pose,” or “half pigeon” you will lose them! In other words, if kids cannot make real life connections to the movements they are doing, they will lose interest! Make the posture relatable and fun. Renamaing postures into things/people they can connect with is the best way to help them make real-world connections and it’s fun too!

Tip #6 - Kids Need Peers

When teaching kids yoga, it really helps to have a small group of kids to participate. Kids love bouncing ideas off of each other. When one child does a pose, another child mimics. Learning through exposure is such an important life skill for little ones too!

Tip #7 - Music

Kids love seeing silly visuals, learning from others who are goofy, AND listening to fun things too! Having fun kids music for kids to dance to as they move and flow is another fun way to keep kids engaged and entertained!

Tip #8 - Smile

The last tip I will leave you with when teaching kids yoga is this — SMILE! Kids are genuine little bodies. They can read when an adult is upset or stressed. They can also read when an adult isn’t really having “fun.” In order for yoga to be fun for them, they need to see their instructor also having fun. Be sure to smile, laugh, and enjoy yourself as their “teacher,” because if you don’t have fun learning yoga with them, they won’t either!

I hope these tips help you teach kids yoga. If you only took one thing away from this article, then I did my job as a writer! Remember to enjoy the learning process too! Teaching is just like the practice of yoga — within each class you learn, grow, and transform for the better!