Become yoga teacher for children means combining a passion for yoga with the desire to contribute to the healthy and happy development of the most youth.
In this article we explain to you everything you need to know!
From understanding the reasons why this career is worth pursuing, to the benefits that yoga can bring to the lives of young children, to the skills specific and the training needed for excel in this field.
Table of contents
Why become a yoga teacher for children?
Becoming a yoga teacher for children is much more than teaching a physical discipline: it means contributing to the harmonious development of an individual from his or her youth.
Yoga, as evidenced by numerous researches in the pedagogical field, acts positively on children’s mental and physical balance., facilitating the development of key skills to best cope with the various stages of growth. Furthermore, this practice millennial offers an excellent counterbalance to thetechnological hyperstimulation typical of contemporary society.
But it is not only an effective tool for students!
Becoming a children’s yoga teacher allows yes to guide young children in the discovery of their own potential, but also to rediscover the world through their eyes, learning to value the present moment and the joy in movement.
It is an enriching experience, teaching the patience, l’active listening and the capability to wonder together with children, celebrating each baby step and every new discovery in a mutual exchange by growth e learning.
The benefits of educational yoga
Educational yoga is a practice valuable, with numerous positive effects that extend far beyond the duration of a session. Among these, we find:
- psychomotor development: yoga improves balance, coordination, and flexibility. Studies have shown that children who practice yoga demonstrate improvements in fine and gross motor skills;
- stress management: Some yogic practices, such as breathing exercises, are effective in reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of inner calm;
- promotes concentration and attention: Yogic practice increases concentration and attention span in children, improving cognitive performance and school learning;
- development of awareness and self-regulation: Yoga encourages greater awareness for one’s body and emotions, enabling children to develop emotional self-regulation skills;
- respect and socialization: Through group practice, children learn what mutual respect and cooperation means, essential elements for healthy socialization.
Learn more about the benefits of Educational Yoga by reading Yoga for Babies, the way to peaceful and balanced growth.
Becoming a children’s yoga teacher will therefore allow you to have the privilege of observe and support their development, contributing not only to their physical health, but also to their emotional and social growth.
But what skills do you need to have and/or develop?
What skills are needed to begin teaching yoga to children?
Becoming a children’s yoga teacher requires a set of skills that go far beyond the simple knowledge of asanas.
First of all, it requires a deep understanding of child dynamics and a pedagogical approach that knows how to intersect play e learning.
The teacher must possess not only skills techniques, but also numerous soft skills: skills interpersonal e behavioral that enable him/her to communicate effectively with children.
For example, it must know how to create a welcoming and stimulating environment, where children can explore and learn in safety; it must be able to adapt to different needs and to the various learning rhythms, so as to manage the group with authority, but also kindness; above all, he or she must be able to communicate in a clear and engaging way.
Of course, the teacher must also be thoroughly familiar with the various positions of yoga, so as to ensure a safe practice that is appropriate for the age and aptitude of each student.
Let’s look at the skills in detail!
Adaptability!
L’adaptability is the keystone for any yoga teacher who approaches the world of childhood.
This competence requires flexibility not only in asanas, but also in theteaching approach.
A good yoga teacher for children must be able to recognize the needs emotional of young students and adapt the lesson accordingly. This could mean change the pace, modify activities o even redirect the entire session to keep high the attention and interest of children.
Yoga classes for children should be dynamic, interactive e playful, so as to respond to their natural inclinations to movement and play.
Adaptability also involves the ability to to invent and propose new and creative ways to present concepts, so that every child, regardless of ability, can feel participating and involved.
Group management
The management effective of the group of children during a yoga class is definitely among the aspects to devote more attention if you want to become a teacher.
It requires a presence authoritative, but at the same time warm e welcoming, which establishes trust e security. A children’s yoga teacher must know how to create a Inclusive and supportive learning environment, where each child feels valued e able to make a decisive contribution.
For this reason, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of child psychology in order to move successfully in the different social dynamics that can emerge in a group.
Teachers must be able to Recognize and manage different types of behavior, to encourage cooperation and mutual respect and to resolve minor conflicts that may arise. Furthermore, they must be ready to modulate one’s voice, the body language and theuse of space to guide and hold children’s attention, promoting anatmosphere of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.
Knowing how to create well-structured lessons
Structuring a children’s yoga class is a process that requires a’careful planning. The teacher must be able to outline a pathway that guides children through a physically rewarding journey e mentally stimulating.
Each lesson should be designed to instill in children a sense of progress e achievement.
This means Introducing new poses and concepts gradually, consolidating previous practice, and challenging children with new skills in a safe and accessible way for everyone.
Stories, games and songs are an effective tool to make learning more engaging, while hands-on activities such as drawing or the creating personalized positions can help to consolidate the knowledge learned during the session.
Learn more by reading our guide: How to set up a children’s yoga class?
Listening and understanding
The ability to listen e understand is fundamental in teaching yoga to children. This aspect requires a deep empathy,
A teacher must be attentive not only to the children’s words, but also to their nonverbal communication: the body language, l’facial expression and thegeneral energy can provide valuable clues about their inner state.
Listen to also means to be present e available, showing children that their experiences e feelings are important e valid. This creates a trusted environment, where children feel safe toexpress and explore new possibilities, without fear of judgment.
Understanding children also involves recognizing and respecting their limitations, providing when necessary un appropriate support.
A teacher must therefore be endowed with an ‘emotional intelligence that enables him or her to adapt practice to each specific need, responding in a empathetically e personalized.
Thorough knowledge of asanas
To become a children’s yoga teacher, it is very important to possess a thorough knowledge of the asanas, the positions of yoga.
This means not only understanding the correct execution of poses, but also how these can be modified and adapted for growing bodies and the developing minds of children.
Knowing how to teach asanas also involves knowing the specific benefits of each posture and how these apply to childhood. For example, understanding which asanas are most effective for calm, such as to energize, and which ones can help to improve concentration or self-confidence, is very useful during the structuring a lesson.
A teacher must be able to teach children positions that are not only physically safe and appropriate for their age, but that are also fun e engaging!
Ultimately, the teacher should also possess a basic knowledge of child anatomy and physiology, so as to ensure that the proposed practices are appropriate e are not a cause of stress o excessive tensions.
Observation skills
The observational skills consists in theability to carefully monitor the classroom, recognizing when a child is experiencing difficulties with a position, when there is a need for a corrective intervention or when there is a need to offer encouragement.
A careful observer will be able not only to notice the physical difficulties of each student, but also the emotional and social reactions. You will therefore be able to intervene promptly to prevent misunderstandings, discouragements o disinterest. For example, you may notice if a child is Comparing negatively with peers or if he is experiencing discomfort e frustration.
Observation allows for the provision of feedback constructive e personalized, which is essential to help each child to approach yoga in a way that is safe and satisfying.
This will enhance the individual experience and will help create a positive environment, where all children will feel supported in their journey of growth through yoga.
What to study to become a children's yoga teacher?
To become a children’s yoga teacher, it is necessary to undertake a multidisciplinary course of study, which can cover several fundamental aspects.
Prominent among these are certainly:
- historical-philosophical foundations of yoga: delving into the history and philosophy behind yoga is very important in order to be able to teach its principles to children with utmost authenticity;
- asanas and sequences: studying yoga postures is crucial, but even more so is the ability to adapt them to the needs, energies, and physiology of children;
- child anatomy and physiology: to acquire specific knowledge of children’s anatomy and physiology in order to propose practices appropriate to their age and development;
- breathing and meditation techniques: learning to teach breathing and meditation techniques that are appropriate for children and can help them manage stress and emotions;
- pedagogy and didactics: To make the practice of yoga accessible and engaging, it is necessary to develop specific teaching skills for teaching children, including the use of games, songs, and creative activities;
- classroom management: training on classroom management and child-specific group dynamics to create a positive and inclusive learning environment;
- development of soft and life skills: cultivating patience, listening, creativity, and communication skills to connect effectively with children is certainly one of the aspects to which you should devote the most attention during your training. Life skills, on the other hand, are defined by the World Health Organization as the skills that allow one to face and manage life’s challenges. Discover how to develop them!
The course to become a children's yoga teacher recognized by MIUR
If your goal is to become a children’s yoga teacher with a recognized professional qualification, the course in Educational Yoga, recognized by the MIUR, is perfect for you!
Our course will provide you with training comprehensive, in line with international educational standards, and will enable you to obtain a valid professional qualification.
You will learn not only the asanas and the yoga techniques adapted to children, but also how to actively engage them through methods teaching interactive e creative. You will be taught numerous strategies to integrate stories, games e music into your lessons, making them an experience unique e enriching for young students.
Being recognized by the MIUR, this course ensures that your training is based on sound pedagogical principles and enables you to bring yoga to school, improving the lives of your students!
How quickly can you become a children's yoga teacher?
Our course to become a children’s yoga teacher includes a program with a duration of 200 hours.
This time is necessary to ensure that you acquire not only the theoretical knowledge e practical of yoga techniques, but also the pedagogical skills essential for working with children..
During this period, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the study of asanas, of the breathing techniques, of meditation and develop the necessary teaching skills.
This will allow you to leave the course not only with a certificate, but also with self-confidence and the preparation necessary to start teaching from immediately!
Bottom line.
Becoming a children’s yoga teacher involves a path that requires commitment e in-depth study, but which in return offers the opportunity to positively influence the growth and the well-being of the youngest.
If you aspire to become a children’s yoga teacher, the Educational Yoga course, recognized by MIUR, represents the ideal choice for your educational path!
If this topic interests you, learn about the benefits of yoga online.
Contact us, we will be happy to help you!
Are you interested in implementing an Educational Yoga project in your school or in your area?
Please do not hesitate to contact us to receive further information and discover how we can contribute to the well-being and development of your children and young people.
Send an email to the National Projects Coordinator [email protected]
or fill out the form to be contacted.
Do you want to become an Educational Yoga Instructor?
Contact us now to receive more information about our courses and get advance news about our initiatives!
Get to know the authors!
A certified instructor of Oki do Yoga, with a master’s degree in “Yoga Studies” from the University of Venice, she is an adjunct lecturer of the advanced training course “Educational Yoga at School” at the University of Padua.
Co-Founder and President of Ssd “Educational Yoga.”
Holding a Ph.D. in Pedagogical, Educational and Training Sciences from the University of Padua. The doctoral thesis focused on the training of trainers in Educational Yoga.
Docent of the advanced training course “Yoga Educativo a scuola.” the Advanced Training Course at UniPd was conceived by the founders of Yoga Educativo, together with Director Prof. Luca Agostinetto.
Co-founder and vice president of Ssd “Educational Yoga.”
