As I have been enjoying my yoga practice, I am starting to think more about how I can incorporate it into my classroom in the future. I want to start researching ideas so that I will more more comfortable with it when the time comes. Bringing yoga into the classroom is a fun way to get moving, practice mindfulness and to learn!

Yoga in the Classroom Ideas

From Camille Dodson on DOYOUYOGA:

1. Use a yoga card deck

  • Illustrates the poses in a kid friendly way
  • There are many decks available to buy, but you can also make your own!

yoga cards for kids in black and white and color

2. Make yoga part of your routine

  • Add yoga to morning circle
    • This helps to centre kids
  • Add yoga to transitions
    • This helps to refocus and reset
  • When standing in line
    • Can do standing poses or a breathing exercise
  • Anytime energy is high

3. Offer yoga as a break

  • Set up a mat in the corner of your classroom and allow students to use it for a couple of poses when they are feeling overwhelmed or just need a break
  • Have some yoga cards so that kids can be reminded of what to do

4. Weave yoga into existing units

  • If you are studying trees, students can do a tree pose
  • Students can also make up poses, such as making up a penguin pose if you’re studying penguins
  • Make letter poses if learning the alphabet

5. Use online yoga resources

  • As in my last post on yoga educational videos, there are so many online resources that you can use to teach kids yoga!

From Laura Driscoll on the Social Emotional Workshop:

6. Deescalation & coping skills

  • Add new yoga poses to coping skills toolbox
  • Teaching 3 poses that students with self-regulation struggles that they can use in succession paired with breathing can greatly benefit them
  • Talk to the student about when they should use the yoga strategy

7. Make it fun and engaging

  • There are lots of fun and engaging yoga games you can play with kids, such as:
    • Follow the Leader
    • Yoga Freeze Dance
    • Red Light, Green Light, yoga version
    • Mirror yoga
    • Yoga spinner game

From Kaplan, Using Yoga in the Classroom:

Why use yoga in the classroom?

  • It is a healthy way to express emotions and behaviour
  • It is relaxing and peaceful, putting minds at ease and reducing feelings of anxiety and fear
  • It improves memory, focus and clarity
  • It encourages community
  • It improves gross motor development
  • It can improve regulation skills such as decreasing impulsivity by focusing on reflection and patience