Why Yoga is so good for Kids
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
A little movement, a little mindfulness and a lot of opportunity to grow. Discover why yoga can be such a positive part of childhood.
We tend to think of yoga as a very adult activity, something they do to switch off, settle into silent meditation, find a little calm in a busy week and stretch those desk-hunched bodies. All things totally not on a kids radar! But children can get just as much from yoga, and in some ways, even more...
For children, yoga isn't about perfect poses or being able to sit still and quietly for an hour. It's about learning how to move their bodies to help release, notice how they feel, breathe through big emotions, build confidence and have fun.
That's exactly why I've introduced new children's yoga classes in Sandgate this autumn, with Little Yogis at St Paul's Church Hall and an after-school Kids Yoga Club at Sandgate Primary School.
These classes are designed to give children a regular space to move, play, connect and learn some simple tools that they can carry with them beyond the yoga mat.
Yoga for growing bodies
Children's bodies and brains are constantly growing and changing. Yoga gives them the opportunity to explore movement in a way that is playful rather than competitive. We work with simple poses, balance, stretching, coordination and movement sequences, helping children develop body awareness and confidence in what their bodies can do.
There isn't a focus on getting every pose "right".
Instead, children are encouraged to explore, have a go and discover what feels good for them.
That can be particularly valuable at an age when children are beginning to become much more aware of themselves and the world around them.
Learning to breathe
One of the simplest things we can learn through yoga is something we do all day without thinking about it: breathing. Children can learn simple breathing techniques through games and activities, helping them understand the connection between their breath, their bodies and how they feel.
Taking a few slower breaths can become a useful tool when a child is feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, excited or simply needs a moment to reset. It's not about expecting children to suddenly become calm on command. It's about giving them another tool in their toolkit.
Yoga for Kids helps build confidence
Yoga doesn't have to be about flexibility. For children, it's often about discovering that they can do something they didn't think they could.
Maybe it's balancing for a few seconds longer.
Maybe it's trying a new pose.
Maybe it's leading a game.
Maybe it's simply being brave enough to join in.
Children's yoga creates lots of small opportunities to experience success without the pressure of competition or comparison. This is rare to find in activity clubs that are often about reaching an end goal or progressing through levels and certificates. Those little, zero-pressure moments can build confidence.
A place to practise focus
Children are surrounded by stimulation! School, screens, activities, conversations, noise, expectations... there is a lot for young minds to process. Yoga offers a different kind of space.
Through movement, breathing, simple mindfulness activities, stories and relaxation, children get opportunities to practise paying attention to what they are doing and how they are feeling. The aim isn't perfect concentration.
It's simply practising being present. Even for a few moments.
Understanding big feelings
This is one of the things I love most about children's yoga. We don't expect children to have everything figured out emotionally. They're learning how to navigate excitement, frustration, disappointment, nervousness, tiredness and all the other enormous feelings that come with being little.
Yoga can introduce simple ways of noticing those feelings rather than immediately reacting to them.
Movement can help release energy.
Breathing can help create a pause.
Relaxation can help the body slow down.
And over time, children can start to recognise what helps them feel more settled.
These are skills that can be useful long after the class has finished.
The importance of connection
Children's yoga isn't just about the individual child. It's also about being part of a group. Our classes are deliberately small and welcoming, creating a friendly environment where children can get to know each other, practise together and feel part of their local community.
There is no competition and no expectation that everyone will behave or move in exactly the same way.
Children can join in at their own pace. For Little Yogis, grown-ups are part of that experience too. Children and their grown-ups practise together on the mat, creating a lovely opportunity to connect, play and share something together.
For our after-school club, the group provides a chance to decompress, unwind, regulate with friends after a busy and demanding school day and enjoy an activity that is focused on their wellbeing rather than achievement.
A positive way to finish the school day
The transition from school to home can be a big one. After a full day of learning, concentrating, socialising and following routines, children often need a chance to move, decompress and reset.
That's where an after-school yoga club can be a really lovely addition to the week.
Rather than another activity that asks children to perform, compete or achieve, yoga gives them space to simply be.
There is movement.
There is play.
There is connection.
And there is time to slow down.
Our Kids Yoga Club at Sandgate Primary School is open to Key Stage 1 children across the year groups, not just Year 1 and above. The intention is to create an inclusive after-school provision that supports children's wellbeing alongside everything else they are learning at school. And there is more to come, with a Key Stage 2 yoga club planned for the near future.
What happens in a children's yoga class?
No two sessions are exactly the same, but you can expect a mixture of:
playful yoga poses and movement
simple breathing exercises
yoga games
mindfulness activities
stories and imagination
balance and coordination
opportunities to work together
relaxation and rest
The classes are designed to be age-appropriate, relaxed and accessible to different abilities. And yes, there will probably be some wiggling. Children don't need to arrive already knowing anything about yoga. They don't need to be flexible. They don't need to be naturally calm. They just need to come as they are.
Yoga isn't about creating calmer children
I think this is an important distinction. The goal isn't to make children quieter, more compliant or easier to manage.
It's to help them understand themselves a little better. To know how their body and energy feels in that moment. To recognise when they need a break. To have tools for managing energy and emotions. To feel comfortable trying something new. To connect with other children.
And, importantly, to have fun. Because childhood should include plenty of that too!
New children's yoga classes in Sandgate
This autumn I'm delighted to be bringing regular children's yoga to the local community with two new classes:
Little Yogis — St Paul's Church Hall, Sandgate: A playful yoga class for preschoolers aged 2–4 and their grown-up, where children and adults practise together through movement, games, songs, stories, breathing and relaxation.
Kids Yoga After School Club — Sandgate Primary School: A fun, relaxed after school yoga club for children in Key Stage 1, offering a positive way to unwind, move and connect after the school day.
Sandgate Primary Key Stage 2 after school yoga club coming soon... Sign up to my mailing list to be first to know and join the waitlist
You can find full class details, dates, prices and booking information on the website. If you've got any further questions, please reach out.
With love
Sara x
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