Tools For Life: The Power of Children’s Yoga

By Jennifer Kelleher

If you’ve ever watched a child move through the world, you know they are already little yogis. They are curious, present, and expressive. One minute they’re laughing, the next they’re overwhelmed, and then they’re off exploring again. Their bodies are growing, their brains are developing, and their senses are constantly taking in more than we adults usually realize.

And yet, childhood today looks very different than it used to. Many children are navigating busy schedules, school stress, screen time, social pressures, and a level of stimulation that their nervous systems aren’t naturally built for. We see anxiety rising in younger ages, difficulty regulating emotions, trouble focusing, and challenges with self-confidence.

This is one of the reasons yoga is such a powerful gift for children.

When people imagine kids’ yoga, they often picture adorable animal shapes or silly poses– and yes, that playfulness is part of it. But underneath the fun, yoga offers children real and lasting skills they can carry into their everyday lives.

Physically, yoga helps kids develop strength, balance, coordination, and healthy posture in a way that feels natural and enjoyable. There’s no competition, no pressure to perform– just exploration. In Tree Pose, they learn to “root” into the ground and find steadiness. In Downward Dog, they discover how their hands and feet support them.

These moments build body awareness and confidence, helping children feel capable in their own skin.

Emotionally, the tools run even deeper. Yoga gives kids safe, accessible ways to understand and process big feelings. When they learn how to take a slow breath in and a long breath out, they’re discovering something powerful: they have some control over how they feel inside.

We talk about “stormy feelings” and “sunny feelings,” and remind them that both are normal and temporary. Through breathwork and simple mindfulness exercises, children begin to recognize sensations in their bodies (tight bellies, fast hearts, fluttery chests) and how calming their breath can help those sensations shift. This is the foundation of self-regulation, a skill many adults are still trying to learn.

Relaxation is another gift kids rarely get in their daily routines. At the end of class, when they lie down with an eye pillow or blanket, something magical happens: the room becomes quiet, and you can almost feel the whole group exhale. No demands. No expectations. Just rest. For some children, this might be the only time in their week where their nervous system truly settles.

Connection is also a big part of the practice. In children’s yoga, students learn to listen, to share, to encourage, and to respect the space around them. Each class often ends with a gratitude circle, where every child shares one thing they’re thankful for– family, pets, their favorite snack. This simple practice helps them recognize the good in their lives and strengthens emotional resilience.

And the benefits don’t stay inside the studio. Parents often tell us their child now takes “magic breaths” before a test, or uses calming techniques before bed, or shows more patience with a sibling. These small shifts are signs of yoga weaving itself quietly into their daily world.

At Ocean Bliss Yoga, we believe these tools shouldn’t only be for adults who are already overwhelmed. Children deserve supportive practices while they’re still forming their sense of self– tools that teach them confidence, grounding, compassion, and inner peace from the very beginning.

That’s why we offer Children’s Yoga every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. It’s a joyful, heart-centered class where kids can move, breathe, stretch out their wiggles, calm their worries, and feel celebrated for exactly who they are. After the holidays we will likely move Children’s Yoga to Thursday afternoons.

And perhaps the most beautiful part of teaching children is this: they often become our teachers. Their honesty, presence, and openness remind us of everything yoga is meant to cultivate. Sometimes the smallest yogis offer the biggest wisdom.

For more information about yoga for children or adults, call or text me at 917-318-1168. Along with group classes, we also offer private sessions; inquire via phone number above. Our full schedule can be found at www.oceanblissyoga.net.