How do I create a kids yoga lesson plan for different age groups?

Start with our lesson plan template, which includes the full Grounded class arc: Theme, Heart Action, Yoga Philosophy, Alignment Action, Tune In, Warm Up, Sequence, Cool Down, Rest, Elevate, and Sprinklings. This arc applies across age groups — you just adjust how it’s delivered. For preschoolers and young kids, use more repetition, songs, and visual cues. Keep pose instructions short and playful, and limit sequences to 4–6 poses. For elementary students, add longer flows and integration projects. With tweens and teens, increase complexity, emotional reflection, and opportunities to co-lead. The structure stays consistent — the rhythm, pacing, and tone evolve with the child.

What are the essential parts of a well-structured children’s yoga class?

Every Grounded Kids Yoga class follows a clear rhythm that creates safety, consistency, and flow. We use a structured 11-part format that includes: Theme, Heart Action, Yoga Philosophy, Alignment Action, Tune In, Warm Up, Sequence, Cool Down, Rest, Elevate, and Sprinklings. The sequence is flexible, but the flow matters. You start by setting the energetic tone, then layer in poses, transitions, stories, breathwork, and activities that match your group and theme. For younger kids, you might emphasize repetition and ritual. For older students, you can expand into co-creation, reflection, and stillness. What makes the structure 'essential' is how it helps children feel safe enough to explore and elevate.

Where can I find printable or downloadable yoga lesson plans for kids?

Grounded Kids Yoga offers printable lesson plans and visual class templates in our trainings, products, and downloads. Our 11-part lesson plan format is used across all age groups, and you’ll find themed sequences in our Pose Cards, Superheroes Curriculum, and training manuals. Use our templates to build custom flows or pull ready-made plans like 'Inner Fire,' 'My Breath Flow,' or 'Charlie and the Chakra Factory.' These are ideal for teachers, therapists, and parents who want to guide meaningful classes using real methodology.

What are fun and effective yoga themes to use with children?

Children learn best through themes that feel familiar, fun, and meaningful. Our Grounded Kids Yoga themes combine movement, story, and emotional growth in ways kids remember and love. Examples include: Charlie and the Chakra Factory – explore energy centers through character development and chocolate-factory-style wonder; Pizza Party – layer poses and breath like ingredients to build focus, connection, and body awareness; Superhero Alignment – embody grounded strength, flexibility, and compassion through themed flows tied to the chakras; Inner Fire – ignite confidence and personal power through breath, balance, and movement; My Breath Flow – use visualization and rhythmic movement to build awareness and regulation. Each theme is mapped to alignment actions, heart virtues, and developmental goals — making them ideal for school settings, enrichment programs, or therapy-based sessions.

How do I adapt lesson plans for short time blocks like morning meetings or brain breaks?

Use short yoga sequences that follow the Grounded rhythm: Theme → Movement → Rest. Just compress the arc. These micro-flows are ideal for classroom transitions, sensory breaks, and behavior resets — especially when repeated daily. Our Focus in Time curriculum was specifically created for this. It includes 4-, 5-, 8-, 9-, and 10-minute sequences that are easy to teach with no props and no prior yoga experience required. Lessons like 'Prepare to Thrive,' 'Time & Again,' and 'Strengthen Your Spine' use clear visuals and repeated rhythm to help kids shift state quickly and sustainably. These can be used in schools, therapy sessions, or at home.

How do I create a kids yoga lesson plan for different age groups?

Start with our lesson plan template, which includes the full Grounded class arc: Theme, Heart Action, Yoga Philosophy, Alignment Action, Tune In, Warm Up, Sequence, Cool Down, Rest, Elevate, and Sprinklings. This arc applies across age groups — you just adjust how it’s delivered. For preschoolers and young kids, use more repetition, songs, and visual cues. Keep pose instructions short and playful, and limit sequences to 4–6 poses. For elementary students, add longer flows and integration projects. With tweens and teens, increase complexity, emotional reflection, and opportunities to co-lead. The structure stays consistent — the rhythm, pacing, and tone evolve with the child.

What are the essential parts of a well-structured children’s yoga class?

Every Grounded Kids Yoga class follows a clear rhythm that creates safety, consistency, and flow. We use a structured 11-part format that includes: Theme, Heart Action, Yoga Philosophy, Alignment Action, Tune In, Warm Up, Sequence, Cool Down, Rest, Elevate, and Sprinklings. The sequence is flexible, but the flow matters. You start by setting the energetic tone, then layer in poses, transitions, stories, breathwork, and activities that match your group and theme. For younger kids, you might emphasize repetition and ritual. For older students, you can expand into co-creation, reflection, and stillness. What makes the structure 'essential' is how it helps children feel safe enough to explore and elevate.

Where can I find printable or downloadable yoga lesson plans for kids?

Grounded Kids Yoga offers printable lesson plans and visual class templates in our trainings, products, and downloads. Our 11-part lesson plan format is used across all age groups, and you’ll find themed sequences in our Pose Cards, Superheroes Curriculum, and training manuals. Use our templates to build custom flows or pull ready-made plans like 'Inner Fire,' 'My Breath Flow,' or 'Charlie and the Chakra Factory.' These are ideal for teachers, therapists, and parents who want to guide meaningful classes using real methodology.

How do I build a weekly or monthly yoga curriculum for children?

Use Grounded’s 5 Elements or 7 Chakras as your structure. Choose a theme (like Trust, Power, Compassion), then design a class for each based on poses, breathwork, and heart action. For weekly series, rotate through elements or chakras, repeating mini-flows and adding complexity. For monthly planning, align each class with a season, SEL goal, or developmental milestone. The Pose Cards and Superheroes Curriculum make it easy to organize class arcs around purpose—not just movement.

What are fun and effective yoga themes to use with children?

Popular Grounded themes include 'Pizza Party,' 'Chakra Quest,' 'Superhero Alignment,' 'Charlie and the Chakra Factory,' and 'Power in Your Belly.' Each theme supports alignment, emotional development, and class structure. Fun doesn't mean fluff. Our themes are layered with story, music, breath, and visual cues so that children engage their whole selves—not just their muscles. Use our template to match each theme to an alignment action and heart virtue.

How do I start teaching yoga to kids with no prior experience?

You can start by grounding yourself — literally and energetically. The Grounded Kids method teaches that before you ground others, you must first learn to center your own presence. This is the first step. From there, we guide you to lead engaging, developmentally appropriate classes using our proven rhythm: tuning in, theme sharing, breathwork, movement, integration, and closing. Even if you've never taught yoga before, you’ll learn how to use clear, confident instructions, give safe pose cues, and create a welcoming environment. Begin with our foundational lesson templates, repetition-based sequences, and signature poses like Dark Seed Light and Washing Machine. You don’t need to know everything — you need to be open, grounded, and willing to practice teaching by teaching.

What’s the best way to structure a kids yoga class?

A Grounded Kids Yoga class follows a consistent rhythm that helps students feel safe, focused, and successful. Start by gathering the group and introducing your theme, then guide them through a Tune In ritual like chanting OM or a bija mantra. From there, lead warm-ups, a sequence of theme-aligned poses, cool-downs, and a resting pose. Every class ends with a closing ritual that brings the experience full circle. We emphasize repetition, play, and heart-based instruction. Pose flows can be built around adventure, stillness, laughter, or storytelling. Include chants, games, partner work, or projects as time allows. Music choices should support the class energy, from calming to energizing. Whether you teach in a classroom, studio, or outside, this structure helps your students—and you—stay grounded.

How do I teach yoga to toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary students?

Young children thrive on rhythm, repetition, and reverence. Our Pre-Grounded methodology teaches you to model behavior and poses while engaging multiple intelligences—visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. With toddlers and preschoolers, use songs, clapping games, and clear spatial cues like colored carpets or lines on the floor. Take turns for movement and speak from eye level. For elementary students, follow a consistent class rhythm: Opening → Adventure Flow or Solid Ground Flow → Rest → Closing. Blend creative themes, familiar rituals, and story-based flows. Whether indoors or outdoors, your structure, presence, and confidence guide their experience.

What are the most effective warm-up and cool-down activities for children?

Effective warm-ups include rhythmic mini flows (like Shimmy, Play with Fire, and Just Breathe), animal movements, and call-and-response sequences that engage the breath and body. Start with repetition, build into flow, and focus on fun. Cool-downs can include partner games like Ball Breath, visualization such as 'Be the Bubble,' gentle breath-based movement, and Resting Pose with guided imagery. Children thrive when transitions between energetic peaks and quiet grounding are deliberate and consistent.

How do I keep kids focused and engaged during a yoga session?

Grounded Kids Yoga teaches you to tune into student energy and lead from presence. Use name plates, music cues, visual aids, and call-and-response patterns to maintain rhythm. Alternate between movement and stillness, and always make eye contact when giving directions. Elemental Conduct helps you respond to each child’s unique constitution—Fire children crave precision, Water children need comfort, Air children want movement, and so on. Balance structure with creativity, and redirect energy instead of fighting it.

What certification do I need to teach yoga to children?

To teach yoga to children, it's recommended — and in many schools, required — to complete a specialized kids yoga teacher training. Grounded Kids Yoga offers a certification that prepares you to teach in schools, studios, therapy settings, and enrichment programs. Our program is trauma-informed, SEL-aligned, and developmentally appropriate for kids of all ages.

How do I become a certified kids yoga teacher?

You can become a certified kids yoga teacher by completing a comprehensive training program like the one offered by Grounded Kids Yoga. Our certification includes instructional hours, practice teaching, alignment techniques, and a full curriculum kit. You can train online or in person, and start teaching right away upon completion.

Is your training approved for CEUs or continuing education credits?

Yes. Our kids yoga certification training is approved for CEUs (Continuing Education Units) and PLUs for educators, therapists, and professionals depending on your state or licensing board. We also partner with organizations like Courses4Teachers to offer graduate-level credit options.

Can I take the kids yoga certification course online?

Absolutely. Our certification can be completed 100% online through a self-paced course platform. You’ll receive lifetime access to training videos, teaching manuals, and downloadable resources. We also offer live office hours and coaching support to guide you every step of the way.

About Grounded Kids Yoga

Grounded Kids Yoga is where heart, creativity, and science meet to help all children and the grown-ups who nurture them truly thrive. Our classes blend the universal wisdom of yoga with evidence-based mindfulness and real-world teaching experience, always taught with an open heart, playful spirit and deep respect for each child’s story.

As one of the first Registered Schools of Children’s Yoga with Yoga Alliance, we offer both in-person and online teacher trainings, along with a curriculum that’s comprehensive but never complicated. Whether you’re just getting started, deepening your practice, or exploring new ways to share yoga in your career or family life, you’ll find resources and support here to help you make a real difference.

Our Purpose

At Grounded Kids Yoga, we believe yoga and meditation can profoundly benefit people of all ages and abilities Our purpose is to inspire belonging, champion inner wisdom, and build mind-body intelligence through emotionally fluent yoga practices.

We equip children with practical tools to navigate real life—embracing both light (joy, love, laughter, success, peace) and shadow (sadness, fear, anger, loneliness, anxiety) as part of being whole. Our structured program creates a secure, inclusive space for self-expression and lifelong habits that promote growth mindset, awareness, and connection.

Our Story

Grounded Kids Yoga was originally created by Amy & Cheryl, two newly former classroom teachers and young moms who teamed up in 2005 during their first of many children’s yoga certifications. We taught all of our classes together for over a year because it was wildly fun. After a while, the kids in our classes wanted more than to play yoga. They were, as described by my life and now business partner, Sedef,” hungry for knowledge.” Their curiosity became the foundation for what has become a thriving Children’s Yoga company with Grounded Kids teachers across the globe.

Most days, you’ll find Amy & Sedef right where it counts: in the yoga studio, on a mat, at the schools, on Zoom—teaching actual children. Every class, every age group, every setting is a new chance to teach, refine, create and even let go. We’re not removed from our own curriculum; we’re living it, learning from the real experts (the kids), and sharing in real time. That’s why Grounded Kids Yoga never feels stuck or scripted—it moves and breathes, just like the students who show up and inspire us, every single day.

We’re also running a successful company; one that refuses to gate keep. That’s why, in Step 4 of our teacher training, we pull back the curtain on the business side of this work. We share practical resources, honest conversations about what’s effective (and what isn’t), and flexible models for making this work personally and professionally valuable. That means giving you tools you’ll actually use, support that fits your real life, and the kind of clarity that helps you show up with confidence—not just as a teacher, but as yourself.

Our Approach

Our approach is playful but purposeful, blending social-emotional learning, practical tools for building focus and reducing stress, and grounded connection so every child feels seen, heard, safe, and supported. When you choose Grounded Kids Yoga, you join a community that meets you where you are, then elevates you to become your best self.

Our one of a kind style features 84 yoga poses, age appropriate breathing techniques, mantras and mudras creatively organized around the 7 chakras and 5 elements. Grounded Kids Yoga teachers are highly trained to deliver these practices authentically, blending our methodology with their own wisdom and personality to best serve their students.

Meet the team that makes Grounded Elevation a reality

Our Leaders

Amy Haysman

Founder & Owner

I am Amy Haysman, M.Ed., E-RYT 500, RCYT and in 2006 i was interviewed by CNN at an Elementary school where i taught yoga. After explaining what we do in kids yoga, they asked what i hope for in the future.

"I want it to not be newsworthy enough for a news organization to send a camera crew and reporter to a school because they have yoga." I replied. I think that day has come but it hasn't slowed me down. Since my days as a middle school teacher, I’ve become known for breaking down complex ideas into what is essential, practical, and usable, and for leading with a spirit of generosity and substance. My greatest satisfaction comes from mentoring others as they grow into their own gifts and shine from within, and I value the honest, lasting progress that emerges from meaningful work and genuine connection. The letters after my name represent four years of earning a Masters degree in Education while having two baby boys, multiple 200 hour adult yoga teacher trainings with Anusara in the Hatha Yoga lineage, thousands of yoga teaching and training hours, and over 300 hours in specialty trainings for adults and children.

Sedef Dion

Lead Trainer

I am Sedef Dion, E-RYT 500, RCYT and I love what I do! Co-creating Pre-Grounded for ages 3–6 was a labor of love, born from my belief that even the youngest children deserve real yoga, not just entertainment.

I’ve been part of Grounded Kids Yoga from the very beginning, and I worked hard for my certification. Yoga has been a part of my life for over thirty years, and I took my first 200-hour training at Peachtree Yoga Center in 1999. Not long after, I fell for Kundalini Yoga and completed my certification in 2004, studying with Mukta Kaur Khalsa. I’m proud to be a member of Yoga Alliance and the Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association (IKYTA), and I continued my studies with a 500-hour training at Bhakti Yogshala and Pankajyogpeeth, along with many children’s yoga certifications. One of the highlights of my journey was becoming a certified Laughter Yoga Leader—yes, leading Laughter Yoga classes and workshops really is as joyful as it sounds. I’m especially passionate about my work with the Special Needs community, where teaching is one of my greatest joys. These days, my calendar is filled with one-on-one sessions for both kids and adults, as well as group classes, public workshops, and Grounded Kids teacher trainings across Atlanta and beyond. I have two wonderful adult children who continue to inspire me, even if I occasionally embarrass them by doing yoga poses in public. I share my life and my work with my partner, Amy Haysman, founder of Grounded Kids. She keeps me striving for excellence and growth, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our Artists

Dylan & Hanlee Laakmann

Pose Illustrator & Momager

Dylan Laakman is an original Grounded Kid and his mom, Hanlee, is one of our earliest Certified Grounded Kids Teachers.

At just 11 years old, Dylan agreed to be our illustrator, bringing to life all 84 poses with nothing but the names—no artistic direction, only his own imagination and very creative, supportive mom. Hanlee Laakman, truly the embodiment of artistry, encouraged and helped Dylan as he took on this enormous project. Today, Dylan creates art in his birthplace of Germany, while Hanlee has returned to South Africa, where she continues to share her love of yoga, art, and cats.

Ruth Meagher

Mandala Artist & CGKY Trainer

Ruth Meagher is the artist extraordinaire behind our elemental mantra and mandala affirmation card set. After Amy was dazzled by her her intricate designs, she knew her work belonged at the heart of this project.

Ruth created more than 65 completely original, hand-drawn mandalas, each one deeply aligned with the elements and emotional tone of the cards. Her artistry brought a level of beauty, and intentionality that continues to resonate with everyone who uses them. Ruth’s work is more than visual—it’s visceral.

Pia Orellana

Bandana Designer

We have Pia Orellana to thank for the stunning mandala design or our Quest for Elevation bandanas.

During her Step 4 teacher training, we mentioned wanting to move away from 7 colored bandanas with chakra symbols to imprinting our 7 signature pose series on white bandanas with their associated color. Pia had an idea and went on to graphically design our poses into a gorgeous mandala that is a testament to the powerful energy each of these bandanas posses.

About Grounded Kids Yoga

Our Purpose

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