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How to Begin Your Kids Yoga Class

How to Begin Your Kids Yoga Class

Congratulations on taking the time to truly gain an understanding of why each part of a kids yoga class is important. By following our everything will easily fall into place for you and your students. A well-thought-out and organized lesson plan will create more opportunities for learning, engagement and create lasting memories.

You can get all caught up with our first Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training Video Here.

kids yoga class

The Welcome is the very first part of your kids yoga class and it is the first real class interaction you will have together. The Welcome helps set the tone for how your class will go and helps explain to your students what they will be doing and learning as well as what you expect of them.

When you establish and make a connection with your students right from the start, it makes such a difference throughout your class as you introduce and teach breathing exercises, yoga poses, games, challenges, relaxation, and more.

I think about this in my school classroom as well. Children need to know that they are safe and cared for. When you have a connection and a trust established, then you can truly teach the content, relax, and have fun teaching.

A well thought out and organized kids yoga lesson plan will also create more lasting memories and help with explaining yoga to a child.

In the beginning of my kids’ yoga classes, I like to gather the students in a circle and welcome them warmly while having them introduce themselves. This will help you get an overall sense of their mood and abilities from the start. It is also the ideal time to reinforce their names with their faces which comes in handy with the management of the class.

I like to have my students share their name and answer a question.

For example:

  • Sharing something that they are good at
  • What do you already know about yoga?
  • Share why yoga is good for you
  • Demonstrate any yoga poses that they already know
  • Ask a theme-related question (in relation to the yoga theme of class) such as “Which superhero would you be and why?”
A well thought out and organized kids yoga lesson plan will also create more lasting memories and help with explaining yoga to a child.

I also like to briefly go over my 3 No-Fail Rules at this time.  You only need these three rules to keep your class running seamlessly which is a big deal for the success and involvement of your classes. These 3 No-Fail Rules and many classroom teaching videos are all included in our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training course. Enroll now and work through at your own pace and time with our support throughout.

A well thought out and organized kids yoga lesson plan will also create more lasting memories and help with explaining yoga to a child.

Remember, you only get one chance to make that first impression. The Welcome does not need to be long, but it is the best opportunity to let kids know how excited you are that they are there and to introduce them to the theme and format for the class.

Continue to Part 2: Breathing Exercises for Kids

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Learn How to Teach Yoga to Children

How to Teach Yoga to Kids: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

How to Teach Yoga to Kids: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

You have made it through the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Teacher Training! I am proud of you! Now you know how to teach yoga to kids and carry out a memorable and engaging kids yoga class!

For those of you who may have missed a few weeks, no worries! Get all caught up below.

Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

The 9 Most Important Parts that Every Kids Yoga Class Should Include

These 9 Important Parts to a kids yoga less plan all include a different purpose for your students. When you combine them all together, it creates a complete, meaningful and engaging Kids Yoga Class–one that they will remember, keep them practicing at home, and making them want to come back for more.

When finished I hope you feel like this ofter your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training!

I just finished your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 youtube videos! I enjoyed it very much! While I watched your videos I made my first lesson plan to use! I also completed not too long ago your online kids yoga teacher course also, so its game on! lol.
I personally enjoyed learning the different ways of active movement, and the idea of getting the kids hearts pumping right before actually getting into yoga poses, and savasana will ALWAYS be a favorite for me to learn, teach, and do also lol!  It is such a good way to soak up the benefits of the poses. I cant wait to connect with the kids in the way you say in your videos while performing and coming out of savasana, I obviously know what it feels like, and I’ve taught my own children, but to connect with kids that aren’t yours is truly magical and in this day and age, they need all the positive role models they can get. I’M SO EXCITED
! Thank you so much for the videos!” Courtney S. Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training Graduate

Get Caught up Below on The Most Important Parts That Every Kids Yoga Class Needs:

How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

The Welcome (Part 1)

Breathing Exercises (Part 2)

Sun Salutations (Part 3)

Active Movement (Part 4)

yoga for kids
Create Fun, Engaging, and Memorable Kids Yoga Classes with our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Themed Yoga Poses (Part 5)

Yoga Games (Part 6)

The Yoga Challenge (Part 7)

Building Community (Part 8)

Stillness and Savasana (Part 9)

Find your FREE Kids Yoga Lesson Plan Template and Planning Guide with lesson plans and templates.

The Most Important Parts of Your Kids Yoga Class

The Most Important Parts of Your Kids Yoga Class

We have so much fun talking about how to plan kids yoga with the 9 Most Important Parts of Your Kids Yoga Class through our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Series.

These 9 Important Parts all include a different purpose for your students. When you combine them all together, it creates a complete, meaningful and engaging Kids Yoga Class–one that they will remember, keep them practicing at home, and making them want to come back for more.

The Most Important Parts of a Kids Yoga Class. Which is your favorite? Listen and Win!

Get our Free printable Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Guide here.

Get all caught up with your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training Below. Each part is important its own way and you do not want to miss it!

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Video 5: Active Movement

Video 6: Themed Yoga Poses

Video 7: The Yoga Challenge

Video 8: Building Community

Video 9: Stillness & Savasana

Plan Kids Yoga Classes Like a Pro!


Are you ready to level up your Kids Yoga Teaching? We would love to have you be a part of our online Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training. This training will completely prepare you to confidently and effectively teach yoga to children ages 3-14.

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What Savasana Looks Like in for Kids in Yoga: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

What Savasana Looks Like in for Kids in Yoga: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to our Go Go Yoga for Kids: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training! Throughout this training, we have learned how to put together engaging, successful, fun, and memorable kids yoga classes. Now we will answer what is savasana.

Get all caught up here with the

Most Important Parts Every Kids Yoga Class Needs:

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Video 5: Active Movement

Video 6: Themed Yoga Poses

Video 7: The Yoga Challenge

Video 8: Building Community comes toward the end of your kids yoga class. Everyone has had fun, learned a lot, and now it is time to bring the energy level down a little.

Stillness & Savasana

Miss Sara, I can’t wait to do the “sleeping pose” again!” That is what I hear time and time again at the end of our Kids Yoga Classes.

The children begin class so eager, excited, and full of energy. After moving and working their bodies in such good and healthy ways, they are truly ready for rest and relaxation. I tell my students that their bodies deserve this rest and that taking this time helps them repair and build the muscles they just worked.

Please do not get the idea that I simply call out, “Everyone get into Savasana,” and that the kids readily roll onto their backs, shut their eyes, as they go into deep stillness. Instead, slowly get kids into Savasana.

Savasana comes at the end of your class after you have practiced breathing exercises, learned yoga poses, played yoga games, practiced balance, built community with one another, and are now ready for a bit of stillness, relaxation, and time for some mindfulness.

Yoga is about movement and poses and postures but it is also about being still and quiet and mindful in savasana. This is such an important skill to learn in our busy lives and especially a wonderful one to model with children

Here are a few ways to help promote stillness and mindfulness with kids.

Change the Mood

I like to begin to speak in quieter tones and if possible turn the lights down lower. It’s also easy to play calming music or nature sounds. This change in their surroundings signals to children that a change is coming. As you build this into the class flow, children begin to recognize the signs and signals leading to Savasana.

Be a Melting Ice Cube

As Stillness & Savasna follows our Building Community component of class we are already seated in a circle. I like to challenge the kids to lie down as slowly as they can as if they are an ice cube melting into the ground. When they get down to the ground have them stretch out as long as they can with their toes pointed and their arms up overhead. See how long they can get by taking deep breaths.

Squeeze and Relax

While kids are lying down on their yoga mats preparing for savasana, I’ll sometimes have them squeeze a body part as hard as they can. Let’s say they squeeze their hands for a few seconds and then they relax it. Or also squeeze their shoulders up by their ears and then relax it. They’re actually able to physically feel the difference their body makes from holding it so tight and then relaxing.

Use Memorable Phrases

I challenge the children to stretch as “long as a pencil” or have them be “as still as a statue” or “as quiet as a mouse.” This gives the children a mental picture of how to pose and act.

Be Comfortable

I allow the children to lay however they feel comfortable. It could be on their backs, on their stomachs, curled up into a ball, but have a realistic expectation for how long the kids can lie still. 15 to 30 seconds is good for the preschool ages while older children can stay longer. The more they get used to Stillness and Savasana at the end of class, the longer they can stay still.

kids yoga class

Bring Them Out Slowly

When it’s time to come out of this relaxation, I like to ask them to roll over on their side and use their arm as a pillow. Then they sit up and you can quietly lead them through a couple of big, deep, cleansing breaths while bringing arms up overhead, breathing in, and breathing out and placing your hands at heart center. We’ll do that a couple of times.

Be Encouraging

I like to give a few positive closing words that unite the class and set their path for the remainder of the day or the week. I also like to thank them for coming to yoga, taking care of their bodies, working together, and having fun.

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How to Build Community in Your Kids Yoga Class

Welcome to our Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Free Training! Throughout this training we have learned how to put together engaging, successful, fun, and memorable kids yoga classes. Now we will learn how to build community.

Get all caught up here with the Most Important Parts Every Kids Yoga Class Needs:

Video 1: How to Plan Your Kids Yoga Class

Video 2: The Welcome

Video 3: Breathing Exercises

Video 4: Sun Salutations

Video 5: Active Movement

Video 6: Themed Yoga Poses

Video 7: The Yoga Challenge

Building Community comes toward the end of your kids yoga class. Everyone has had fun, learned a lot, and now it is time to bring the energy level down a little.

How to Build Trust and Community in Your Kids Yoga Classes: Building Community

As a teacher, I know that it can be tempting to skip or rush this portion of class if you are feeling short on time. I encourage you to really make time for this building community portion of class. It is a very important part for your students as well as for you, their teacher.

As you begin to bring your yoga class to a close, it is important and beneficial to reflect on all that you have learned and accomplished during class. It makes the students feel stronger and more united as a class.

This is personally one of my favorite parts of class as it ties everything together. The children share what they have learned and what they have enjoyed. I love hearing about their favorite parts and often times I am surprised. Many times it is not what I think such as mastering a difficult pose, but instead it might be how they felt or how they connected with another student and maybe made a new friend.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to Build Community in your Kids Yoga Classes. Give them a try. They love it and it truly begins to bring your class to a close.

How to Create a Thunderstorm With Kids

kids yoga teacher training
Building Community by playing “Pass the Squeeze”

We have many more ways to Build Community in our bestselling book, Go Go Yoga for Kids: A Complete Guide to Yoga with Kids

Now you are ready for the final part of your Kids Yoga Class: Stillness and Savasana (Part 9) Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101.

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Kids Yoga Teacher Favorite Props and Resources

This Changed Everything in My Kids Yoga Classes

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The Yoga Challenge: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

The Yoga Challenge: Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101

Welcome to the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 series. I am glad that you are here. You can get all caught up with the videos below:

Why you need a Kids Yoga Lesson Plan before you even think about teaching yoga to children.

Part 1: The Welcome: How to engage your students right from the start.

Part 2: Breathing Exercises: Made Relevant and FUN for Children

Part 3: Sun Salutations Made Simple: Connect Movement with Breath

Part 4: The Importance of Active Movement: Get hearts pumping, build strength, and get wiggles out.

Part 5: Themed Yoga Poses

Part 6: Yoga Games for Kids

Now you are ready for Part 7 of the Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Training:

The Kids Yoga Challenge!

Congratulations! Now you are well over halfway through with your yoga class. Your students have moved, breathed, learned a lot and had fun! Now it’s time for Part 7 of your Kids Yoga Class with The Yoga Challenge!

The Kids Yoga Challenge: Yoga Lesson Planning 101 Part 6

With the Yoga Challenge portion of your kids yoga class, your students will have the opportunity to work on a challenge by themselves or together with the group. Select one of the options below and spend 7-9 minutes having fun with the Yoga Challenge.

The Yoga Challenge Options:

1. Balance Poses:

Select a single balance yoga pose for the children to work on. This could be Airplane Pose, Dancer Pose, Tree Pose or may others. We like to use The Kids Yoga Challenge Pose Cards to help provide a visual. When placed on the floor, they also provide a wonderful focal point.

Kids love to work on balance in yoga class because it is fun and challenging. They often don’t realize that they are acquiring a skill that improves each time they practice. This is good news because studies have shown that our balance decreases as we age beginning at age 7. With practice, we can maintain this balance.

2. Inversions:

I understand that Inversions can sound scary to try…especially with kids. The great news is that Inversions do not need to be difficult to do and the benefits are enormous. Find out how to practice our favorite Kids Yoga Inversions here.

yoga headstand

3. Partner Yoga Poses:

Kids love partner yoga poses! Partner yoga poses help teach children the importance of teamwork and working together plus they are fun to do and build trust and community with one another. Check out our all-time favorite Kids Yoga Partner Poses here.

4. Group Yoga Challenge:

This type of yoga challenges are some of my favorites. Do not overthink this, it can be anything from standing in a circle and passing a hula hoop without letting go of hands. It can also be a Group Tree Pose or a Down Dog Tunnel. The point is to get the children working together to achieve a goal while having fun!

Down Dog Tunnel
Down Dog Tunnels are always a hit for The Yoga Challenge.

The Yoga Challenge is an important part of your kids yoga class for differentiation and meeting the varying needs of your students. Everything can be modified.

This challenge allows the children the opportunity to work on more difficult poses by themselves or within the group. This builds trust and community.

Continue on with Part 8 of your Kids Yoga Lesson Planning 101: Building Community.

More Favorite Kids Yoga Partner Poses:

Tips on Working With Partners in a Kids Yoga Class

Partner Poses Kids Love to Show Off

Video of a Partner Pose Kids Yoga Class