Screenshot of published research study titled Feasibility of a Yoga Intervention for Children and Adolescents Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

Grounded Kids Yoga Featured in Study on Pediatric Cancer Care and Quality of Life

A new peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy explores the feasibility of yoga for children and adolescents undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) — one of the most intensive medical procedures used to treat pediatric cancers and other life-threatening conditions.

This research is one of the first to examine how trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate yoga can be integrated into inpatient hospital care for youth. And we’re proud to share that Grounded Kids Yoga is cited in the manuscript as a resource for effective, child-centered curriculum.

You can read the full published article here:

Feasibility of a Yoga Intervention for Children and Adolescents Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplant

Or download the PDF directly:

Download Study PDF

Why It Matters

The study found that a gentle, choice-based yoga intervention was not only safe and appropriate — it also helped participants engage with their bodies, regulate their emotions, and cope with a high-stress medical experience.

Researchers highlighted the importance of:

  • Sensory-sensitive movement and slow transitions
  • Visuals and sequencing tools
  • Patient-led adaptations for energy and pain levels
  • And most of all, teachers trained in trauma-informed kids yoga

That last point is where Grounded Kids Yoga comes in.

Our Role in the Field of Pediatric Yoga Therapy

At Grounded Kids Yoga, we train educators, clinicians, and parents to teach yoga with emotional fluency, energetic awareness, and developmentally appropriate structure. We’ve worked with hospital systems, pediatric clinics, and children’s mental health professionals for nearly two decades — and we’re honored to have our curriculum referenced in this study.

If you’re looking to integrate therapeutic yoga into your professional setting, we recommend starting with Step 1 of our training pathway. This foundational course covers:

  • Child development through the lens of the chakra system
  • Tools for self-regulation, grounding, and energy balance
  • Our trauma-aware sequencing system
  • Visual and sensory tools for accessibility
  • And ethical, culturally informed ways to teach real yoga to children

Whether you’re a yoga teacher, occupational therapist, social worker, or school counselor, our programs are designed to support your work with children and teens.

Explore our full training certification here:

Grounded Kids Yoga Trainings

Dig Deeper into the Research

This study is now part of our growing collection of evidence-based resources for educators and professionals. Visit our blog to explore more:

Research & Resources

More to Explore

  • Certified to Teach Kids Yoga in Middle School

    Last night felt surreal.  I was standing in my kitchen with Lee, Amy & Cheryl when they handed me a single piece of cardstock with the words ‘Certified Grounded Teacher.’ I felt my throat clench and my heart skip a beat.  Though I have been teaching Grounded Yoga for over a year, it was this small piece of recognition that let me know that I am now officially recognized as part of one of the greatest movements of my lifetime.

    Once I received my 200hr teacher training in 2012, I had begun leading my daughter’s classes at school once a week and eventually took over the Tween class at my studio.  I pulled resources from all around- other teachers, online sites, books, games…everything I could find to help create a well-rounded class.  It was a year of growth and some things worked and some failed miserably.  What I did know was that I loved teaching children- their honesty in their bodies and mouths and they way it was starting to create a shift in their perspective. My dear friend and teacher, Lee introduced me to Grounded in early 2013 when she came home lit UP from Level 1 training.  I watched her do Go To Your Room and that’s literally ALL it took!  I knew that something special was going on with Grounded…something that hadn’t been done before…something that was about to change how the world looks at kid’s yoga.  We put a plan together to “sell” our yoga program to our school as a full-time yoga curriculum.  And it WORKED!  I decided to take the Level 1 training just after school started so we could teach the same material and use each other to bounce ideas and begin to try to understand the huge undertaking we’d just landed.

  • Grounded Defined

    Through our programs, we endeavor to “ground” kids, teens, and adults via yoga, laughter, and elevation.  But what exactly does it mean to be grounded?  By formal definition courtesy of the Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary….

    grounded [ˈgraʊndɪd]

    adj

    sensible and down-to-earth; having one’s feet on the ground: mentally and emotionally stable : admirably sensible, realistic, and unpretentious <remains grounded despite all the praise and attention>

     

  • Principal’s Office

    principal_doorWant to be a risk taker?

    Feel more alive?

    Go one foot past scary?

    and deep into the dive?

    We have a suggestion;

    a type of advice.

    Report to the principal’s office

    not once….but twice!

    Once as invited,

    the other time sent.

    Once in your school years,

    with our consent.

    It may seem unusual

    coming from us.

    Report to the office

    Nevertheless.