How to Teach Yoga in Schools
By Kim Bassan, Pretzel Kids content writer
Are you ready to give your children an incredible and valuable tool for health and wellness?
It’s time to give them yoga!
Over the past few years, yoga for kids has been growing in popularity, and there’s a good reason for it. There are so many benefits to yoga that it only makes sense to teach it to children.
Indeed, yoga for kids helps them manage stress and deal with anxieties that are increasingly present in today’s modern world. So, we’re here to help spread the good word about yoga with the younger generation to help them build healthier habits that last a lifetime.
But first of all, we need to get kids doing yoga! We searched everywhere and a sneaky bird told us the big secret on where to find little yogis: Schools!
Yoga in schools is gaining ground, so if you are a teacher, a yoga instructor, or a parent who wants to help kids live happier, healthier lives then this one is for you!
Open your books, prepare your pencils and make sure to take down notes! (But we promise, no exams!) Here is the lesson plan (lol) on how to teach yoga in schools.
What are the Benefits of Yoga in Schools?
Kids yoga should be a part of every school curriculum and that’s a fact. Studies have shown that school-based yoga programs have impactful positive benefits on students’ wellbeing.
Some of the main benefits of yoga in schools are:
- It helps reduce stress
- It helps improve focus and attention span
- It helps with social and self-awareness
- It helps kids to succeed in school assignments
We can go on and but the fact that over 36 million Americans are already practicing yoga is solid proof for why practicing yoga and mindfulness is essential for kids in our modern world.
How to Start Teaching Yoga in Schools
Yoga doesn’t have rules but there are a few things to keep in mind when teaching kids yoga in school. The first step is to find a school to teach at.
If you are a teacher you can start by writing a program proposal for the school. This plan may include:
- Time and date of classes
- A sample yoga lesson plan
- Content for the class
- Theme, games and yoga poses for kids
- Number of participants
- A supply list for the class
And last but not least, make sure to discuss all the endless benefits kids can experience from yoga in the classroom. This will help the school director better understand why to hire you for the job.
How to Teach Yoga in the Classroom
Congratulations! You got hired for the job! Now it’s time for the fun part.
You get to teach yoga in the classroom!
Because we want you to be the best kids yoga teacher and beat the competition, we are going to share with you the top secrets yoga teachers experience.
After teaching hundreds if not thousands of kids yoga classes, we can officially share with you all the do’s and don’ts of kids yoga classes – and what to do when teaching yoga for children. Ready?
| DO | DON’T |
| Prepare a class plan Be flexible Be playful Make sure you get the best yoga teacher training! | Force a game or a yoga philosophy Skip relaxation and savasana Try to correct alignment (it doesn’t matter in kids yoga as long as they’re safe!) |
What are the Best Yoga Games for Kids in a Classroom?
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular among American children. So, it only makes sense to teach this in a way kids can relate to. Let’s play games!
?Check out this story and discover the best yoga games to try out in schools✅
What are the Best Yoga Poses for Kids in School?
While we all love to play, it takes a good yoga teacher to get kids excited to learn yoga poses.
You probably heard about downward facing dog or warrior poses. But there are tons more poses (asanas) to choose from! Asanas have been shown to help increase strength, flexibility, boost self-confidence and improve focus.
Here are good yoga poses to teach in a classroom:
- Mountain Pose
- Easy Seated Pose
- Cat-Cow Yoga Pose
- Downward Dog Pose
- Tree Pose
Seeing a classroom full of students practicing poses is heartwarming and uplifting but, it doesn’t have to stay inside the class. Take your yoga class outdoors! If it’s a sunny day, take the students outside and enjoy the benefits of being in nature. There are so many ways to bring the benefits of yoga for kids to school, this is just the tip of the iceberg and we can’t wait to share more with you!
How to Become a Kids Yoga Instructor
You’re asking the right people! Not only is this our favorite topic, but it’s also our expertise!
There are many kids yoga programs to choose from, but with all of these options, how do you choose the best teacher training?
The most important thing to keep in mind is to choose the yoga teacher training that fits your schedule and goals. But it’s also important to ask questions before starting your certification course. A few things you should consider are the course cost, schedule, flexibility, social proof, and remote vs in-person classes.
After you’ve assessed your personal capabilities and needs, it’s time for research! Since this topic is dear to our heart, we’ve done the research for you. After you choose the best option for you, it’s time to become a kids yoga teacher in schools and change children’s lives!
Want to Bring the Benefits of Yoga for Kids to Schools?
You are at the right place, at the right time. This is your moment. Do something good for the next generation and start teaching yoga for kids in schools.
And, we’ll leave you with this secret: In only 12 hours from now, you can actually start a side hustle teaching yoga to students! So no, your dream job isn’t far away. Let’s do this!
