Group and Partner Work in Kids' Yoga Classes

Group and partner work in kids' yoga classes can be a fantastic way to build connection, confidence, and creativity. However, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to manage, and some teachers may worry about behaviour or organisation challenges.

From speaking with other kids' yoga teachers, I know these concerns can be a barrier to including group work—which is a real shame, as it’s often children’s favourite part of my classes!

I thought I’d share some strategies I use to help keep group work manageable, safe, and fun.

Roots and Wings: Finding the Balance

I like to think of the metaphor of Roots and Wings when guiding children to work together or independently. This means providing the structure (roots) they need to feel secure while also allowing for the freedom (wings) to explore and be creative.

Roots: Creating Stability and Structure

Giving Clear Instructions
Before children begin working in partners or groups, it’s vital that they fully understand the task. Provide step-by-step explanations and model what you expect. For example, if you're asking them to create a pose flow:

1. Explain the task – “You’re going to create a short flow of three to five yoga poses.”
2. Demonstrate an example – Show them a simple sequence.
3. Practise together – Do one as a whole group before they try it on their own.

Use Pose Banks for Guidance
Pose banks (collections of visual pose cards) can offer children a helpful reference. Make sure the poses included are ones they have already learned and can safely practise. You can create different pose banks for various age groups or ability levels. Why not save yourself a lot of time and get the ones I’ve created:
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Provide Boundaries
Boundaries help create a sense of safety and clarity. A few I use include:

• Time limits – Let children know how much time they have and give a warning before time is up. E.g., “You have one more minute to finish your flow.”
• Pose limits – Encourage creativity within set parameters. E.g., “Your flow should include at least three but no more than five poses.”
• Safety guidelines – Be clear about what is and isn’t allowed. In my classes, I always set the boundary that there’s no gymnastics in yoga.

Wings: Encouraging Creativity and Independence

Give Choices
Giving children choices allows them to feel ownership of their learning. You might let them choose:

• Who they work with – Encourage them to pick a partner or group where they feel comfortable but won’t be distracted.
• Where they work – Keeping mats in a circle can help with organisation, but if time allows, you might let them spread out.
• Group size – Some children prefer working alone, while others enjoy small group collaboration.
• What they create – With a variety of poses available, children can design flows that reflect their own creativity.

Encourage Responsibility Giving children autonomy fosters responsibility. When we trust them to make choices, they often rise to the occasion. If challenges arise, you can always adjust accordingly.
It’s better to give children the opportunity to work with friends and separate them only if needed rather than forcing them to work with someone they aren’t comfortable with.
I like to use the phrase:

“Work with someone you feel comfortable with but won’t be distracted by.”

Support Social Inclusion
If a child is alone and seems unsure, ask them:

“Who do you feel safe with?” rather than “Who are your friends?”

This opens up options without making them feel left out. Some children don't feel that they have any friends, but will know who makes them feel safe.

Celebrating Their Work
In my classes, sharing is optional but encouraged. You can explore different ways of sharing, such as:

• Two groups showing their flows to each other.
• The whole class performing their sequences at the same time.
• Groups demonstrating their creations to the whole class.

Acknowledge teamwork and effort with specific praise, like:

• “I love how in sync you two were!”
• “This group worked really well together despite having lots of different ideas.”

Final Thoughts
By balancing structure with freedom, you create a space where children feel supported and empowered to express themselves. Group work can be a positive experience for everyone, and I hope these ideas inspire you in your own classes.

How do you approach group work in your classes or clubs? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

When you've been teaching children's yoga for a long time—especially to the same group of students—it can be both a joy and a challenge. Familiarity brings connection, trust, and consistency, but it can also make things feel a little stale over time.

So how do we keep our classes feeling fresh and exciting for both ourselves and our students?

Our brains love novelty—we are wired to seek out new and interesting experiences. But our nervous systems crave familiarity and safety. Finding the right balance between these two is where the magic happens in a long-term children's yoga practice.

Here are some simple but effective ways to keep your classes engaging, even when you've been teaching the same children for years:

1. Rotate Your Props Props are a fantastic way to bring novelty into your sessions. The key is to rotate them regularly rather than using the same ones all the time.
For example, if you use scarves every single week, they may start to lose their appeal. But if you bring them out only occasionally, children will be thrilled to see them again. Think of it like a toy rotation system—keeping things fresh without needing to constantly buy new resources.

Every week, I introduce a different prop, cycling through a core set to maintain excitement and engagement. When the soft toys make a return after several weeks away, the children react as if they are reuniting with old friends!

👉 If you’d like inspiration on props, check out my free guide Top of the Props for a list of my favourite props and ideas on how to use them.

2. Change the Room Layout Something as simple as rearranging the mats can completely transform the feel of a class. It’s a bit like moving the furniture around at home—it makes everything feel new again, even if nothing else has changed!
Here are some layout variations to try:

• Circle formation (great for connection and inclusivity)
• Rows facing the teacher (adds structure and focus)
• Rows facing each other (perfect for partner or group work)
• Small group stations (ideal for rotating activities or group work)
  
• Horseshoe or half-circle (creates a sense of openness and focus)
  

Even flipping the direction you usually face in the room can offer a fresh perspective. If you normally teach with the door behind you, try switching to the opposite side—little changes like this make a surprising difference!

3. Introduce New Themes or Teaching Styles Consistency is essential in children's yoga, but small changes within a structured framework can keep things feeling fresh.
Here are some ways to mix things up:

• Try an obstacle course: Adding movement stations can be an exciting way to approach yoga sequences. If you want a ready-made guide, check out my free obstacle course printable.
  
• Experiment with storytelling: If you usually use a structured sequence, why not introduce a themed story-based session? Or if you normally use storytelling, try a more free-flowing movement class.
  

4. Get the Children Involved Children love having a say in their sessions! Asking for their input can bring fresh energy to your teaching while making them feel valued and engaged.
Some ways to involve them include:

• Asking, “What have been your favourite activities so far?”
• Letting them vote on a prop or theme for the next lesson
• Inviting them to create their own yoga sequences or games
• Revisiting past activities they enjoyed but tweaking them slightly

Often, the simplest ideas—like bringing back a long-forgotten prop—can reignite excitement in a way we might not have anticipated!

Keep Your Teaching Fresh & Inspiring Staying engaged and inspired as a teacher is just as important as keeping the children engaged. By rotating props, switching up your room layout, introducing new themes, and getting the children involved, you can maintain a balance of novelty and familiarity that keeps everyone excited to return week after week.

If you’re looking for resources to help you bring variety into your teaching, you might love Captivate with Cards—my go-to resource for structuring engaging yoga sessions with 52 pose-based activity cards complete with teaching ideas. It’s the foundation of every class I teach!

I’d love to hear how you keep your kids' yoga classes fresh!

Drop me a message or email me at [email protected]—I reply to every email, and your questions might even inspire a future blog post or video!
Happy teaching!
Julia 😊

As kids' yoga teachers and well-being professionals, we want our classes to be a safe and welcoming space where children feel free to be themselves. We aim to create an environment where they can express themselves fully and be accepted just as they are. However, sometimes, the way one child behaves can negatively impact the experience for others—especially when it comes to excessive chatting.

This is a common challenge that many children's yoga teachers face, and it can be frustrating when a chatty child disrupts the flow of your session. So, how do you balance being an approachable, compassionate teacher while maintaining the structure needed for all children to learn effectively?

Here are some tried-and-tested strategies that I’ve developed over my 20+ years in education and my 8 years as a kids' yoga teacher.

1. Be Positive and Firm Establishing and referring back to ground rules is essential in helping children understand boundaries while feeling secure in your class. I recommend using a simple rule like: "We respect ourselves and each other."

If a child is talking over others or preventing their peers from learning, they aren’t respecting themselves or those around them. Gently bringing their attention back to this rule can help set expectations without being overly strict or negative. If you'd like support in setting clear boundaries, my "Get Real with Rules" freebie includes a rules poster and guide to help you implement effective class agreements.

2. Involve Children in the Lesson Sometimes, excessive chatting happens because children are struggling to focus or stay engaged. Try incorporating more opportunities for interaction, such as:

• Partner or group discussions
• Call-and-response activities
• Short moments to share thoughts aloud

The key is to set clear expectations about when talking is encouraged and when it’s time to listen. Using a signal like ringing a bell or clapping a rhythm can help children understand when to refocus. Practising this signal as a game can make it fun and effective.

3. Praise Positive Behaviour First A simple but powerful strategy is to give three positives before addressing a negative. Before asking a child to stop chatting, acknowledge three children who are sitting quietly and listening. This positive reinforcement often leads other children to self-correct without needing a direct reprimand.
If some children are still talking, a friendly smile and a gentle look in their direction can serve as a subtle reminder.

4. Offer Choices and Encourage Self-Regulation Sometimes, children chat because they’re distracted by their friends. I like to have a few spare yoga mats available and let children know they are free to move if they feel distracted. If I notice persistent chatting, I remind everyone about the option:

"If you're finding it hard to concentrate, feel free to move to another mat so you can focus better."

This approach gives children autonomy and encourages self-awareness rather than making them feel singled out.

5. Address Chatting Privately If a child continues to chat despite multiple reminders, I take a moment to speak with them privately while the rest of the class is engaged in an activity. Rather than reprimanding, I approach with curiosity:

"Hey, I noticed you've been chatting a lot today. Is everything okay? Do you need any help?"

This makes children feel respected rather than shamed. If needed, I remind them gently:

"Remember, our rule is that we respect ourselves and each other. If I see you chatting again during teaching time, I’ll need to ask you to move."

Giving children a clear warning and explaining why helps them take responsibility for their actions.

6. Repair the Relationship If you’ve had to address a child’s behaviour, take a moment later to rebuild a positive connection. Find an opportunity to praise them for something they’re doing well:

"I love how focused you are now—great job!"

Acknowledging their efforts after correction ensures they don’t feel embarrassed or singled out.

Final Thoughts Chatty kids can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that their talking might be due to various reasons. They may simply be naturally talkative, they could be neurodivergent and struggling with social cues, or they might need extra validation due to circumstances we aren’t aware of. Approaching behaviour management with compassion and curiosity ensures that all children feel valued and respected while maintaining a positive learning environment.

If you'd like more support in managing behaviour in your classes, check out my free video: "Boost Behaviour in Your Kids' Yoga Classes". This free poster and guide may also be useful to you!

You might also find "Tame the Crowd Without Being Loud" helpful—an e-course designed to help you handle class behaviour with kindness and confidence.

Need personalised support? I offer one-off mentoring sessions and packages for kids' yoga teachers looking to refine their teaching approach. Get in touch, and let’s find the best solutions for you!

What strategies do you use to manage chatty kids in your classes? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!