Kids and Children’s Yoga FAQs

These FAQs answer the questions we hear most from teachers, therapists, homeschool families and parents about kids yoga: how to become a certified children’s yoga teacher, how to teach yoga in schools and classrooms, and how to use yoga for focus, anxiety and social-emotional learning. Use the Table of Contents to jump to your topic, or start with the teacher training and certification questions.

Kids Yoga Teacher Training and Certification

Curious about how to get certified to teach yoga to children? Whether you’re a classroom teacher, therapist, school counselor, or parent, these FAQs will help you understand what’s required and what makes the Grounded Kids Yoga certification different. Explore your options, learn what’s included in our program, and see how you can begin teaching in schools, studios, or after-school clubs with confidence and support.

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.

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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.

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Yes for registered yoga teachers, and for everyone else it depends on your board or your district. We are one of the first Schools of Children’s Yoga registered by Yoga Alliance, our kids yoga certification is approved for the 95 hour RCYT (Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher) designation, and as a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider our trainings count as continuing education hours for registered yoga teachers.

Georgia educators: professional learning for certificate renewal is approved and recorded by your own district, not by an outside company. Ask your school or district to accept the training as professional learning and we will send the syllabus, the contact hours and a completion letter to support the request.

Counselors, social workers and therapists: if we are not currently an approved continuing education provider for your licensing board, your hours may not count, so check with your board before you enroll. Every graduate receives a printed and digital certificate, and we will write a completion letter with contact hours if you need one.

Graduate level credit is offered separately through our partner Courses4Teachers.

Your certification includes lifetime access to video lessons, printed teaching materials and four teaching manuals. Your training kit has physical tools to help you teach right away:

Our full certification program includes 88 contact (in person or online) and 7 independent training hours. We have 3 different structures available for you to choose from.

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Yes. Our graduates are successfully teaching in public and private schools, studios, therapy centers, and after-school programs. You’ll be qualified to lead standalone kids yoga classes or integrate yoga into other roles you already hold.

Our grads use tools from their training materials bundle. For schools, our Focus in Time Kit is an easy choice. Yoga Club students love using the Grounded in Color Collection and the 5 Elements Collection. The materials in our Yoga Studio – Kids Yoga Essentials Bundle and the Yoga Studios – Kids Yoga Activities Downloadable Collection are ideal for any age kids classes.

Absolutely. Our certification can be completed 100% online.

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Our certification program includes 88 training hours, divided into 4 steps, usually once a month. Each step is 22 hours and offered Friday evening through Sunday late afternoon.

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If you’re in the Atlanta area, you’re welcome to apply to teach with us.

Beyond Atlanta, Grounded Kids Yoga is well-respected across the country and beyond. Our certification gives you the clarity and confidence to begin teaching wherever you are.

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Not at all. Our certification is designed for educators, therapists, counselors, parents, yoga teachers or anyone who works with children and teens.

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How To Teach Yoga To Kids

These FAQs explain how to teach yoga to children using the Grounded Kids methodology, a system that blends creativity, structure, developmental awareness, and trauma-informed practices. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your teaching, you’ll learn how to build engaging class plans, lead with clarity, and support your students’ emotional and physical well-being. From 3 year olds to teens, in homes, schools, or studios: these answers are grounded in what actually works.

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.

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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.

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Effective warm-ups include rhythmic mini flows, movements that warm the spine and prepare the body and mind for practice, and call-and-response sequences that engage the breath and body. Start with repetition, build into flow, and focus on fun, engaging language.

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Kids yoga teachers often face overstimulation, inconsistent energy, classroom layout limitations, and attention span dips. At Grounded Kids, we teach “teaching to what you see”: using observation over assumption, redirecting rather than correcting, and pausing to adjust.

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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 as shown in our Grounded Superheroes Yoga Unit.

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Storytelling and music are essential parts of our method. Use books that teach heart virtues and build a yoga sequence around the story’s arc.

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Teach to as many intelligences as you can: kinesthetic, auditory, visual, intrapersonal, and interpersonal. Use pose cards, songs, partner work, and sensory tools like scarves and breathing balls.

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Use child-friendly breathwork techniques like Bee Breath, Bubble Gum Breath, or Follow the Breath. Anchor them in movement and visuals, like tracing a bubble with arms.

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For little ones, try themes like Good Morning, Holidays, Grounded Superheroes, The Forest Adventure, or Kings and Queens of the Trees. Grounded Kids offers lesson plans that build from story to sequence, using familiar rituals, routines and repetition to support learning.

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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.

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Kids Yoga Lesson Planning and Curriculum

These FAQs cover how to design and deliver effective, developmentally appropriate yoga lesson plans for children. Learn how to build engaging class flows, integrate SEL and literacy goals, use printable tools, and create a curriculum that works in classrooms, clubs, or at home. These answers are rooted in the Grounded Kids Yoga method and designed to help you lead with clarity, creativity, and purpose.

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.

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Grounded Kids Yoga offers physical and 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 Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos, our curriculum collection and our training manuals.

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Use the 5 Elements Kids Yoga Bundle or the Grounded in Color Collection to structure a full year of monthly themes. Choose a focus like Trust, Power, or Compassion, then design a class around each using poses, breathwork, and heart actions.

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Grounded pose flows follow a full-spectrum sequence: Centering → Breathwork → Warm-ups → Strengthening → Balance → Cool Down → Rest. Each category includes poses that build stamina, confidence, and self-awareness.

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Use each page of the book as a yoga prompt, or let the kids act out the story using poses. Choose books that match your theme and heart action.

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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.

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Grounded lessons integrate Social Emotional Learning through heart actions, breath-based regulation, and connection-centered pose flows. You can map each class to CASEL core competencies using our themes: Trust (Self-Awareness), Power (Self-Management), Compassion (Relationship Skills), and so on.

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Start with repetition-based flows, basic alignment cues, and visual aids like Pose Cards. Each class should include a clear beginning, middle and end.

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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.

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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.

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Kids Yoga for Anxiety, Focus, and Behavior

These FAQs explain how to use kids yoga to support anxiety, attention struggles, and emotional regulation challenges. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, the Grounded Kids Yoga method offers tools to help children release stress, focus their minds, and develop safe and healthy responses to overwhelm. Learn how poses, breathwork, and visual supports can help children calm their nervous systems, improve executive function, and manage big feelings, with or without a formal diagnosis.

Grounded Kids Yoga supports anxious children by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of the body that helps them calm down, slow their heart rate, and feel safe. Using tools like Breath of Joy, Just Breathe, Bubble Gum Breath, and Lotus Breath, kids learn how to regulate themselves through movement and rhythm.

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Poses that bring the head below the heart help calm the nervous system and support emotional regulation. At Grounded Kids Yoga, we use Down Dog, Child’s Pose, Rock and Roll, and Go To Your Room to help children ground their energy, release tension, and feel safe in their bodies.

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Breathing techniques that support the parasympathetic nervous system are essential for calming overwhelmed children. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we use Bubble Gum Breath, Just a Sip, Lotus Breath, and Left Breath Right, each with distinct regulatory benefits.

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Yes. Yoga gives children sensory-informed, emotionally safe tools they can learn before they reach a state of overload.

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Yes. Grounded Kids Yoga is used in many school settings as a proactive tool for behavior support and emotional regulation.

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Children who are anxious or easily distracted benefit from consistent visual tools that match the internal sensations they’re learning to manage. At Grounded Kids Yoga, we use large pose cards, small pose cards, mini pose cards, sequence boards, and visual breath cues to build predictable structure.

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Yes. Grounded Kids Yoga includes specific tools designed to support working memory, impulse control, and sustained attention.

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A calming yoga routine begins with consistency. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we often start with a breathing practice like Just Breathe, Focus 5 Breath, Lotus breath or Bubble Gum Breath, followed by a short movement sequence and ending in stillness.

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We teach kids to practice self-regulation while they’re already in a regulated state, not in the heat of a meltdown. Invite them to choose a few yoga pose cards and create a mini flow that helps them feel the way they want to feel: calm, focused, strong, or peaceful.

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First, we don’t try to fix or silence big reactions. We support the nervous system.

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Yoga and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for Kids

These FAQs explore how yoga supports social-emotional learning (SEL) by helping children build self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and resilience. Learn how to integrate yoga into SEL lessons, meet CASEL-aligned standards, and use Grounded Kids Yoga tools to help children connect to themselves and others in meaningful, developmentally appropriate ways.

Yoga gives children a safe, embodied way to explore self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, and relationship skills, the core of social-emotional learning (SEL). In Grounded Kids Yoga, we use the five elements (Space, Earth, Water, Fire, Air) as a developmental framework for building SEL skills that match children’s energy states and learning styles.

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Yes. These are core heart actions embedded into Grounded Kids Yoga.

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Grounded Kids Yoga teaches SEL by helping kids regulate their energy, connect with their breath, and build self-awareness through movement and reflection.

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Yes. Yoga is a proven method for helping children manage emotional responses and build impulse control.

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Resilience is built through repetition, recovery, and rest. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we design sequences that help students safely move through challenge and return to calm.

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Breathwork supports nervous system regulation and teaches children to shift emotional states without external correction. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we introduce breath patterns like Just a Sip, Lotus Breath, and Bubble Gum Breath to help kids calm, center, or energize depending on what they need.

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You can integrate yoga into any SEL curriculum by pairing breath and movement with your existing learning goals. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we build our sequences around themes like courage, compassion, gratitude, or conflict resolution, then select poses, mantras, and heart actions to embody each theme.

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Yes. Grounded Kids Yoga uses the Five Elements (Space, Earth, Water, Fire, Air) as a thematic framework to teach SEL competencies.

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Grounded Kids Yoga provides classroom-ready SEL tools that can be done in as little as 5 minutes.

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To teach SEL through yoga with confidence and integrity, yes. Training matters.

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Yoga For Children With Diverse Needs

These FAQs address how Grounded Kids Yoga supports children with special needs through adaptable movement, accessible breathwork, and inclusive teaching strategies. Whether you’re a therapist, educator, or caregiver, our practices are designed to meet each child where they are, supporting regulation, connection, and confidence across neurodiverse and differently abled communities.

Yoga for children with diverse needs is often called Inclusive yoga and structured to support sensory input, regulation, communication, and self-confidence for all abilities. We use visuals, props, predictable sequences, and breathwork tools that reduce overwhelm and create a sense of safety.

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We’ll teach you exactly how and when to do this in
Step 2 of Grounded Kids Yoga Teacher Training. You’ll learn how to offer pose alternatives, choose developmentally appropriate sequences, and use props or visuals to increase accessibility.

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Yes. Many people experience pain relief and increased range of motion.

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Yes, we invite and encourage caregivers to participate. They often say it is the best part of their day!

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Yes. Teachers may incorporate visual aids, tactile cues, and modified poses to accommodate different abilities and needs.

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Yoga is generally safe for children with medical conditions when taught with awareness, proper training, and parent/provider communication. We recommend medical clearance for children with seizure disorders, cardiac or spinal issues, or other chronic conditions.

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Breathing techniques give kids a physical, doable tool in moments when language, logic, or reasoning aren’t accessible. During an emotional outburst, the nervous system is in a state of dysregulation.

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Yes. Though both can be therapeutic, they serve different roles.

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Yoga supports mental health by helping children feel safe in their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build self-trust through consistent routines. Movement sequences paired with breathing practices activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce anxiety, ease transitions, and improve sleep.

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Yoga provides structured sensory input and calm, rhythmic routines that support children with Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). It helps regulate overstimulation, reduce anxiety, and improve body awareness and communication.

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Yoga for Families and Caregivers

These FAQs answer how families and caregivers can use yoga to connect with children, reduce stress, and create supportive routines at home. Whether you’re a parent, guardian, or family member working with a neurodivergent child or simply seeking calmer mornings and more connected evenings, Grounded Kids Yoga offers accessible tools that strengthen co-regulation, emotional fluency, and nervous system health.

Absolutely. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we encourage caregivers to join in, not just to model calm, but to feel it.

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Yoga offers families a way to reset together. It improves communication, supports emotional regulation, and helps both kids and adults learn how to calm their own nervous systems, not just talk about it.

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You don’t need a yoga mat or studio to begin.

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Yes. Our approach is about participation, not perfection.

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Yoga gives families practical tools to respond, not just react, to stress. Whether it’s a transition meltdown, sensory overload, or sibling tension, short yoga-based routines help everyone move from chaos to calm.

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Start with what’s natural and easy to imitate. Take 5 Breath, Feather Breath, or Take Out the Trash are favorites that families can do together, at the breakfast table, in the car, or during bedtime wind-down.

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Yes. And they’re a powerful way to build trust, communication, and laughter.

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Yoga doesn’t just benefit kids; it’s a powerful tool for adult regulation, too. When you breathe, move, or ground with your child, you’re not only supporting them, you’re supporting your own nervous system.

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Yoga gives families a shared emotional language through movement, breath, and play. Practicing together helps children feel seen, safe, and supported, especially after tough moments.

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Transitions are often challenging for kids, especially during busy or overstimulating parts of the day. Yoga gives families a predictable, body-based way to move through these moments.

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Benefits of Yoga for Kids

These FAQs explain the many physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits of yoga for children. From building flexibility and strength to improving focus, confidence, and self-regulation, discover why yoga is one of the most effective tools for supporting whole-child development at home, in school, or in therapeutic settings.

Yoga improves strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and posture, all without competition. It also supports healthy motor development by helping kids explore how their bodies move and how to feel safe in their own skin.

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Yoga activates both sides of the brain, strengthens the prefrontal cortex, and builds interoceptive awareness, all of which support attention and executive function.

Breath and movement sequences like Focus in Time help kids learn how to shift from distraction to concentration.

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Yes. Yoga helps children learn how to release physical tension and move through strong emotions.

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Yoga builds self-awareness, emotional regulation, confidence, and empathy. In Grounded Kids Yoga, children learn to notice their feelings, name their sensations, and move in ways that help them reset.

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Yoga encourages cooperation, communication, and trust. Partner poses and group flows teach children how to move together, make eye contact, and support each other without pressure or performance.

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Yoga supports the whole child: physically, emotionally, mentally, and socially. It strengthens muscles, improves balance, and supports healthy movement patterns.

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Yoga strengthens brain areas responsible for focus, memory, impulse control, and emotional regulation. When children pair breath with movement, they activate both hemispheres of the brain and strengthen their prefrontal cortex.

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With consistent practice, kids build habits that support lifelong well-being. They learn to notice how they feel, choose tools that help them regulate, and respond to challenges with more resilience.

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Yes. Yoga helps kids feel capable and proud without relying on comparison or performance.

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Yes. Yoga can be adapted for toddlers, teens, and everyone in between.

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What are the best breathing and mindfulness practices for kids?

Mindfulness and breathwork give children tools they can use in real moments when they’re overstimulated, distracted, anxious, or simply need to feel more at home in their body. This section includes developmentally appropriate practices, tools, and adaptations that support regulation, focus, and emotional awareness for all children, including those with sensory or learning differences.

Yes, and it’s especially effective when it’s visual, rhythmic, and trauma-informed. Kids with ADHD, autism, or sensory processing disorder often benefit from structured, body-based mindfulness like Rock and Roll, Grounded Hand Breath, or the 5 Elements Flow Clocks.

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Breathing consciously is one of the fastest ways to regulate the nervous system. At Grounded Kids Yoga, we use child-friendly techniques like Lotus Breath, Bubble Gum Breath, Just a Sip, and Take Out the Trash.

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Even a few minutes a day makes a difference. Consistency matters more than duration.

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For young kids, breathing should be visual, simple, and playful. Use props like feathers, pinwheels, or pose cards with visual cues.

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Transitions are one of the hardest times for kids to stay regulated. Breathing techniques help children pause, reset, and move to the next task without carrying overwhelm with them.

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Yes. Mindfulness helps kids tune into their body, breath, and emotions, all of which support better focus and calmer reactions.

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Yes, props and visuals make breathing more concrete and fun.

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Mindfulness doesn’t need to be still or silent.

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You might notice your child calming down more quickly after a stressful moment, remembering to take a breath on their own, or pausing before reacting. These are signs their nervous system is learning how to self-regulate.

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Mindfulness is about noticing what’s happening in your body, thoughts, and surroundings without needing to change it. Meditation usually involves sitting still and focusing on one thing like breath or sound.

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Evidence-Based Research on Kids Yoga


These FAQs explore what the research says about yoga and mindfulness for children. From improved attention and behavior to reduced anxiety and stronger emotional resilience, studies show that trauma-aware yoga can help children thrive in school, at home, and in therapy. We highlight findings from real clinical studies and explain how the Grounded Kids Yoga approach aligns with what’s proven to work.

There is good evidence, and it is worth being precise about what it shows. A research review in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences (Khalsa & Butzer, 2016) found consistent benefits from school-based yoga for stress and emotional regulation.

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Most of it is school based and practical. Randomized trials have been run inside real school days: Noggle et al. (2012) and Khalsa et al. (2012) in high school classes, Sibinga et al. (2016) in urban middle schools, and Butzer et al. (2015) with second and third graders, where researchers measured cortisol before and after a ten week classroom program.

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Breathwork and mindfulness give children a way to notice and name what they feel. Movement gives them a way to shift it.

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The ones cited most often:

  • Khalsa & Butzer (2016), Yoga in school settings: a research review, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
  • Dunning et al. (2018), a meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials covering 3,666 children and adolescents

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The honest answer is some, and modestly. A randomized trial of preschoolers with ADHD symptoms (Cohen et al., 2018, Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics) found modest improvement on an objective attention test and selective improvement on parent ratings, with the clearest gains in the children who started with the most severe symptoms.

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Slow breathing engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is what actually brings a dysregulated child down. Movement builds proprioceptive awareness, the body sense that tells a child where they are and how much force they are using.

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Yes, and the strongest single piece is Sibinga et al. (2016), a randomized controlled trial of school based mindfulness instruction with urban middle school students, published in Pediatrics.

Gentle movement, patterned breathing and predictable sequences settle the nervous system and build a sense of safety in the body.

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The program is built around what the research supports: co-regulation, breath based tools, predictable trauma informed routines, and whole child development.

In 2025 a research team from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and Emory University used the Grounded Kids curriculum as the intervention in a published feasibility study of yoga for children undergoing hematopoietic cell transplant.

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Indirectly, and it is worth being straight about this: the research does not show yoga raising test scores.

What it does show is improvement in the things learning depends on, attention, impulse control, and readiness to receive instruction.

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Start with our bibliography of 136 sources.

Grounded Kids also appears in the peer reviewed literature itself.

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Yoga for Homeschool and Family Routines

These FAQs answer your most common questions about how yoga fits into homeschool and family life. From building predictable daily routines to helping kids move through transitions, Grounded Kids Yoga supports learning at home through breath, movement, and emotional literacy. Whether you’re teaching one child or many, these tools help families stay grounded together.

Yoga fits naturally into homeschool routines as both a physical activity and a mindfulness practice. Grounded Kids Yoga provides thematic lessons and structured flows that align with subjects like science (the 5 elements), social-emotional learning, and literacy (through pose-based storytelling).

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Emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the strongest predictors of a child’s long-term success, often more so than IQ. A 40-year study of PhDs at UC Berkeley found that emotional intelligence was 4x more powerful than IQ when predicting success.

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Yes. Most U.S. states accept yoga as a valid form of PE for homeschoolers, especially when it is structured and documented.

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Socialization and enrichment are two of the biggest reasons homeschool families look for group activities, and yoga and mindfulness classes deliver both. At Grounded Kids Yoga, homeschool students build friendships, focus, and self-regulation alongside peers through on-site co-op sessions (we travel throughout metro Atlanta), in-studio group classes in Alpharetta, and live Zoom classes.

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Slow breathing engages the parasympathetic nervous system, which is what brings a dysregulated child down. Movement builds proprioceptive awareness, the body sense that tells a child where they are and how much force they are using.

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Some of our go-to poses for homeschool breaks include Down Dog, Rock and Roll, Mountain, Bubble Gum Breath, Twist and Target, and Calm Down Pose. These poses help children reset, regulate, and refocus between subjects or during transitions.

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Yes. We offer yoga classes for homeschool groups, co-ops, and families in three flexible formats tailored to your educational goals.

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We recommend pose cards, the Focus in Time poster set, the 5 Elements Flow Clocks, and affirmation decks. Many families also use printable coloring books and journals to reflect on what each pose feels like.

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Yoga in Schools and Classrooms

These FAQs explain how to bring Grounded Kids Yoga into school environments, including morning meetings, SEL blocks, PE classes, and after-school clubs. Learn how to adapt your teaching to fit short time blocks, classroom spaces, and the needs of diverse students while improving focus, behavior, and emotional literacy across the day.

Start with short, accessible practices like breathing techniques or simple standing poses that can be done behind a desk. Morning meetings, brain breaks, and transitions are ideal entry points.

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Use short sequences that offer a clear beginning, middle, and end. Our Focus in Time Kit includes five themed sequences that fit into 4–10 minute blocks and help children shift energy, increase focus, or reset after stimulation.

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Yoga helps students learn how to recognize and shift their internal state using breathwork and movement. In a controlled trial, 211 seventh graders took 32 sessions of yoga in place of their regular physical education.

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You don’t need mats or a separate space. Most of our classroom sequences can be done standing or seated at desks, using only visual supports like pose cards or printable guides.

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Yes. Grounded Kids Yoga sequences are adaptable for large-group settings like PE class, gymnasiums, or assemblies.

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Yoga fits beautifully into after school and enrichment programs because it offers kids a chance to move, reset, and connect at the end of a structured day. You can offer a short weekly club, a themed series (like our Grounded in Color program), or a stand-alone workshop focused on focus, flexibility, or emotional skills.

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Visual tools help children stay engaged and self-directed. Our classroom-friendly pose cards, Focus in Time posters, and Pose Poster make it easy to lead short sequences without needing a projector or mat.

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You don’t need to be a certified yoga teacher to lead movement and mindfulness in your classroom. Our certification pathway is designed for educators, therapists, counselors, and support staff with no prior yoga experience required.

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Grounded Kids Yoga is built to align with CASEL SEL competencies and schoolwide wellness goals. Each sequence and pose is tied to specific emotional, cognitive, and physical outcomes, making it easy to integrate with PBIS, behavior support, and social-emotional learning time.

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Start by aligning yoga with your school’s existing goals, like SEL implementation, behavior support, or student wellness. Our curriculum is aligned with CASEL standards, PBIS, and IB frameworks, which makes it easy to include in grant proposals or district-wide initiatives.

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Yoga for Teens’ Mental and Emotional Health

Kids grow, and so do their emotions. As children move into adolescence, their experiences become more layered and intense and so does their need for safe ways to process what they’re feeling. Grounded Kids Yoga supports teens with movement, breath, and sequencing tools that help them regulate, reflect, and reconnect. Whether they’re navigating stress, identity, or change, yoga becomes a steady place to return to.

Yes. Two preliminary randomized trials put yoga inside the regular high school day, and the students taking yoga did better than the students in regular physical education on mood, anger control and resilience (Khalsa et al., 2012; Noggle et al., 2012).

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Consistency builds safety. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we return to familiar shapes, breath rhythms, and transitions to help children and teens feel what it’s like to settle.

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Yoga creates an immediate shift in energy. It can brighten mood, increase confidence, and offer a physical path to hopefulness.

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Look for subtle shifts. A child might start breathing deeply on their own, ask for a favorite pose, or calm more quickly after frustration. A teen might journal without prompting, show more awareness of body tension, or mention feeling better after movement.

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Yoga helps children and teens notice what they feel and shift toward a more regulated state. Grounded Kids Yoga teaches how to recognize internal cues through breath, movement, and pause.

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If your child or teen feels calmer, more centered, or more able to respond instead of react, yoga is helping. You don’t need them to explain. Just observe how they show up in everyday challenges. Are they making choices? Expressing when they need space? Returning to a breath or pose you practiced together? These signs show that the practice is integrating. Emotional outlets don’t have to be loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet tools that go deepest.

Poses that involve grounding, strong activation, and safe release can be helpful for kids processing anger. In Grounded Kids Yoga, we use Go To Your Room, Rock and Roll, Warrior II Decide, Take Out the Trash, and Elemental Flows to help children feel their power and let go safely.

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Yes. With consistency, yoga becomes a proactive regulation tool.

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Yoga teaches that all feelings are welcome, and all states can shift. As children build movement fluency and self-awareness, they begin to trust their ability to handle challenge.

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Yes. Yoga gives kids and teens practical ways to calm the nervous system and reconnect with their body in the present moment.

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Yoga for Kids by Age Group

These FAQs explain how to teach yoga to children at every developmental stage. You’ll learn how to tailor your approach for preschoolers, elementary students, and teens using Grounded Kids Yoga’s classroom tested methods. Discover which poses, routines, and techniques work best for each age group so kids stay engaged, regulated, and supported as they grow.

Children can begin practicing yoga as early as toddlerhood, with adult supervision and developmentally appropriate activities. You can start as young as 18 months using songs, simple movement cues, and visual aids to build body awareness and self-regulation.

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With toddlers, it’s all about rhythm, repetition, and relationships. Use short songs, predictable movements, and engaging visuals.

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Preschoolers thrive on imaginative themes and rhythmic movement. Poses like Down Dog, Washing Machine, and our Pre-Grounded Mini Flow work well when paired with music, chants, or storytelling.

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Use quick transitions, clear visuals, and consistent routines. This age group benefits from playful themes, short pose sequences, and breath practices that include movement like Lotus Breath or Bubble Gum Breath.

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The best part about our programs and curriculum is that it meets any child where they are, but won’t leave them there. When introducing yoga to older kids, focus on choice, clarity, and relevance.

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Middle schoolers benefit from routines that support identity, emotional regulation, and social confidence. Grounded Kids sequences like I Am Strong and Just Breathe offer a mix of physical challenge and self-reflection.

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Yoga supports developmental needs across all ages. For toddlers and preschoolers, it builds motor coordination and emotional language.

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Elementary students benefit from structured sequences, purposeful themes, and longer pose holds. We recommend using our Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos, which are aligned with IB standards and include age-appropriate themes like focus, confidence, friendship, and energy management.

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Use layered instruction and visual supports. Offer simple base poses with optional enhancements so each child can choose their level.

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Teens need yoga that supports autonomy, nervous system health, and emotional processing. Once they have a foundational knowledge of poses, allow them to create their own mini flows based on something they are working on in their own life such as patience or responsibility.

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Kids Yoga Products and Resources

These FAQs highlight the most useful tools, products, and downloadable resources for teaching yoga to children. Whether you’re planning classes at home, in schools, or in clinical settings, discover how to use pose cards, posters, mandalas, affirmations, and themed curriculum materials to keep kids engaged and learning.

Our 84-pose card deck is one of our most loved resources. Each card includes pose names, illustrations, cues, and chakra-based organization.

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Pose cards offer structure and inspiration. You can lay them out in a sequence, have kids draw one at a time, or build themed flows based on the chakra or element system.

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Yes. We offer a wide selection of printable downloads including yoga-themed coloring books, SEL-based journaling activities, pose-based bingo games, and hand-drawn black and white mandalas for visual art meditation while coloring. These resources reinforce what children learn in movement through creative reflection. Many families and educators use them as transitions, calming stations, or mindful quiet-time options.

We offer large and small pose posters, chakra sequence visuals, and a beloved 5 element-based I Am Who I Am Affirmation Deck. These are ideal for classroom calm corners, yoga rooms, or homeschool walls.

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For group use, we recommend our Focus in Time Kit, pose card decks, classroom bundles, and the 5 Elements Flow Clocks. These tools make it easy to introduce yoga to students of all ages.

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Yes. All of our products are designed to be accessible for parents, educators, therapists, and caregivers with no prior certification.

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Younger children benefit most from visuals, storytelling, and guided repetition. Our pose cards for early childhood, printable yoga pose coloring books, and simple games help toddlers engage through play. Older children enjoy more structure, thematic lessons, and self-led exploration.

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Our I Am Who I Am Affirmation Deck includes element-based affirmations designed to support emotional literacy, self-awareness, and grounding. Each mandala focuses on a quality like focus, connection, expression, or trust.

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Yes. Our tools are used by a wide range of professionals and families, including classroom teachers, occupational therapists, social workers, and homeschooling parents.

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Kids Yoga Videos and Online Learning

Looking for high-quality kids yoga videos and online learning tools that are safe, effective, and actually keep kids engaged? You’re not alone. Parents, teachers, and therapists are turning to online yoga content more than ever, but not all programs are created equal. In this section, we’ll answer the most common questions about how to use video-based yoga for kids, what makes a program trustworthy, and how to make screen time a tool for regulation, not just distraction.

Start with short videos that are developmentally appropriate and easy to follow. Choose a teacher your child connects with, and focus on sequences that include breathing, movement, and rest, not just high-energy poses. You can explore free videos on our YouTube channel, or use the Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos for a more structured introduction. We also have 7 yoga for teens videos as part of our Grounded in Color bundle. Each video is designed to support nervous system regulation while building consistency and trust.

For safety and emotional support, it’s best for an adult to stay nearby, especially when kids are first starting out. Many Grounded Kids Yoga videos are designed for co-regulation, meaning caregivers, teachers, or therapists are invited to join in. Practicing together helps model healthy movement, build connection, and ensure a positive experience. Whether you’re using our YouTube channel or one of our video bundles, shared participation makes a big difference.

Look for programs led by certified children’s yoga instructors with trauma-informed training and a clear educational philosophy. Videos should align with child development stages, include breathwork and mindfulness, and avoid overstimulation. Grounded Kids Yoga offers a free YouTube channel with sample practices, and our Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos are used by schools and therapists to bring consistency, clarity, and co-regulation into daily routines. We also offer themed videos within our Grounded in the 5 Elements bundle and our Grounded in Color bundle. All videos are grounded in our evidence-based method and aligned with social-emotional learning.

Kids can absolutely learn yoga online, especially when the videos are developmentally aligned and trauma-informed. Online content makes it easy to repeat favorite practices, integrate movement into routines, and use yoga as a tool for regulation at home or school. Our video bundles, including Grounded in the 5 Elements and Grounded in Color, offer themed class sequences that support emotional, physical, and energetic growth. For those wanting more support, we also offer live and hybrid certification trainings.

For preschool and early elementary ages, videos between 5–20 minutes are ideal. Older children and teens may benefit from slightly longer sessions when themes of emotional regulation or mindfulness are included. None of our videos are longer than 30 minutes to ensure full participation. Our Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos designed for real-world use include 30 minute sequences. Our Focus in Time Kit is classroom ready for morning meetings to transitions, all ranging from 4 to 10 minutes to match natural attention spans.

Yes. Every one of our video bundles is supported by clear, easy-to-follow guidance. The Kids Yoga Lesson Plans with Videos come with printable plans that include objectives, pose breakdowns, and prompts. Our Grounded in the 5 Elements and Grounded in Color bundles each include themed sequences designed to build emotional literacy. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or therapist, you’ll have everything you need to guide the experience with confidence and purpose.

Yes, when used intentionally, yoga videos can ease difficult transitions by helping kids shift their energy and reconnect with their bodies. A short sequence after school can help release tension and support co-regulation before starting homework or evening routines. Bedtime videos that focus on slow movement and breath can prepare the nervous system for rest. We recommend choosing calming videos, not entertaining ones, that prioritize regulation over stimulation. Our free videos were designed with these transitions in mind.

Absolutely. Yoga videos can be a powerful part of school and therapeutic settings when chosen with care. Many educators use short sequences from our Focus in Time Kit videos during morning meetings, transitions, or brain breaks. Therapists often integrate our Grounded in the 5 Elements or Grounded in Color series into sessions to support emotional processing or sensory integration. These aren’t just movement breaks. They’re intentional tools that support self-awareness, regulation, and co-regulation.

To make yoga video time meaningful, choose sequences that invite active participation, emotional awareness, and nervous system support. Position the screen where kids can follow along with ease, and encourage them to check in with how they feel before and after. Avoid “entertainment yoga” that focuses on gimmicks or speed. Our Grounded Kids Yoga videos are crafted as therapeutic tools, not screen fillers, and help transform digital moments into moments of connection and growth.

Unlike many kids yoga videos online, ours are not created for entertainment or distraction. Each Grounded Kids Yoga video is based on evidence-informed practices, developmental alignment, and our trauma-informed teaching methodology. You won’t find cartoons, characters, or overly animated voices. Instead, we use clear language, pose illustrations in full color or in the case of our product bundles, real kids, Every one of our videos include grounded movement sequences that help children of all ages and adults regulate their nervous systems, build confidence, and feel supported in body and mind.

Policies, Access, & Certification Logistics

These FAQs clarify everything you need to know about accessing your training materials, downloading resources, handling login issues, and understanding payment and refund policies. Whether you’re enrolling in a certification, purchasing a yoga club kit, or downloading printable tools, this section gives you clear guidance and peace of mind.

Anything that you buy and download is yours forever. You’ll always have access to your training materials, pose card sets, and lesson plans.

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Many of our products come two ways: as a printable download or printed and shipped. You can choose the format that works best for your teaching style, classroom setup, or travel needs.

Reach out directly to Amy at amy@groundedkids.com. She’ll help you get back into your account and make sure you can access everything you’ve purchased.

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Yes. We offer monthly payment plans for certification trainings and split payment options for large product orders. You’ll see the available plans at checkout, or you can contact us for a custom setup.

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We don’t send automatic notifications, but you’re always welcome to email and ask if an updated version is available. If you’d like the latest version of a training manual, we’ll let you know how to purchase it.

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No deadlines here. You can complete your training at your own pace and come back to it anytime, as long as we stay in touch.

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Yes. All certification graduates receive a printed and digital certificate. If you need CEU documentation or a custom completion letter, just email Amy to request it.

Our full cancellation and refund policy is on our Privacy Policy, Terms & Code of Conduct page.

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All of our core training materials are printed and shipped to you for online attendance or given to you for in person trainings. If you’d prefer a digital copy for accessibility, just let us know and we’ll send it.

Yes, as long as you haven’t started the training. If your spot is unused, we’re happy to transfer it to someone else.

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What Makes Grounded Kids Yoga Different?

Wondering what sets Grounded Kids Yoga apart from every other kids yoga program out there? This isn’t just another certification or set of flashcards. Grounded Kids Yoga is a complete methodology that weaves together child development, trauma-informed care, energetic systems, and real-world teaching tools into one powerful, life-changing experience. Rooted in the chakra system and five universal elements, our approach equips you to teach with clarity, confidence, and heart, whether you’re in a classroom, studio, therapy setting, or living room. Led by deeply experienced and widely respected educators Amy Haysman and Sedef Dion, Grounded Kids Yoga offers the most comprehensive kids yoga training available, with printed curriculum, pose cards, themed lesson plans, and direct mentorship you won’t find anywhere else. If you’re searching for a program that honors the whole child and gives you everything you need to lead with purpose, you’ve found it.

After you complete training, you’ll still have access to the people and tools that helped you grow. We provide continued guidance through private groups, resource updates, and ongoing connection with Amy, Sedef, and the wider Grounded Kids Yoga community.

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Grounded Kids Yoga is built on the belief that children deserve real, rooted yoga. Our methodology is based on the chakra system and five universal elements, delivered in ways that are developmentally aligned, emotionally fluent, and trauma-informed.

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When children learn yoga with intention, they gain tools for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. Real yoga creates space for them to notice their breath, connect with their body, and grow into their own strength and stability.

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Every part of our training is grounded in the real lives, rhythms, and needs of children. You will learn our 84 signature poses and how to sequence based on energy, attention, age and emotional readiness.

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Yes, this training prepares you to teach in all of those settings with confidence and clarity. Grounded Kids Yoga is designed for real-life application, whether you’re leading a classroom of students, guiding a therapy group, or simply looking for ways to connect more deeply with your own children or grandchildren.

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Our training complements and enhances professional skills you already use. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, a licensed therapist, or a yoga instructor, you will leave with a new level of insight into how to guide children through movement, breath, and self-awareness.

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No prior experience with yoga is required. We welcome parents, educators, counselors, and anyone who feels called to support children through meaningful, movement-based practices.

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Our training helps you understand your own nervous system before you begin teaching others. We guide you through the science behind stress responses, regulation, and polyvagal theory, and then show you how to apply that understanding in a way that feels safe and empowering for children.

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Our certification offers a complete, intentional system designed to support you as both a teacher and a person. You’ll receive printed manuals, full-color pose cards and mini pose cards, curriculum books aligned to the chakras and five universal elements, lesson templates, creative tools, and teaching prompts that help you bring clarity, purpose, and creativity into every class.

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Absolutely YES! The value of this training is felt long after the sessions are complete.

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