Creating Inclusive Kids Yoga Classes

Inclusivity is a core value of mine and my business Well-Being Adventurers. It is often something that teachers comment on positively in feedback forms.
Today I wanted to share with you some ways that Well-Being Adventurers creates an inclusive environment.

Representation in Visuals 
The main resource that I use in my classes are the cards that I use. It is important that these images represent a wide range of children.

Representation is crucial because:

• It helps all children feel like they belong.
  
• Seeing a range of bodies, skin colour, hair colour, abilities, gender expressions, cultures represented in imagery reduces stereotyping and supports the notion that the practices in the lesson are for everyone.
  
• Seeing ourselves represented improves psychological and emotional well-being.

Last week, I was teaching in a new school and one of the children was so excited by one of the cards that I used. This was the image:

She said that this was the first time that she had seen 'herself' in a learning resource. How sad and awful is that?

Conscious Language Choices
Words and phrases that we use can cause harm or they can build a sense of safety, so considering the words that we use when we are teaching and communicating with children is really important.
For me this looks like using neutral language about bodies, avoiding competitive language such as better, harder, best, perfect and avoiding assumptions about children.
This also means that I avoid making gender assumptions, this even includes the way that I talk about the images that I use. I use phrases such as “our friend here” or “the child” or “they” rather than he or she.
I also consider the language used to describe family structures and prefer to use the phrase “your grown ups” or “the people in your home” as not all of the children I teach have relationships with their parents or necessarily live with their family.

Success for Everyone!
I make sure that all children can achieve in the classes that I teach. Some ways that I do this include:

• Using  props like blocks, cushions, or chairs for modified poses where needed.
• Teaching multiple variations of each pose.
• Collaborating with other adults to support the needs of individuals, this could be school staff or parents. 
• Using a predictable structure and visual aids.
• Offering lots of variety and options to choose from.
• Every time introducing myself, what they can expect from the lesson and my expectations.

Culturally Responsive Themes
Not all of my classes have themes, but when I do incorporate a theme, I ensure that:
I choose neutral, universal themes such as nature or animals. For example, teaching a ‘winter theme’ rather than Christmas.
I also choose not to use Sanskrit terms or say Namaste in my classes. This is because this is not my culture or heritage and using these words doesn’t feel right for me.
I also don't refer to what I teach as yoga (but that is a topic for another day!)

Emphasis on Self-Paced Learning
In my classes the main goal is for children to listen to their bodies and explore poses at their comfort level. There is a focus on making a choice based on what feels like the ‘right’ thing in their bodies now. I often use the phrase “you are the expert of you and your body”.

These are some of the ways that I make my classes inclusive. I would love to hear how you do this.

If you would like more on this and also to get resources that support your classes to be inclusive, check out Captivate with Cards resource and training bundle.

* This is the last week to get the November Special Offer- get the School Yoga Teacher Bundle for FREE when you buy Captivate with Cards training and resource bundle, the offer expires on 30th of November at 11.59pm UK time*

If you have any questions about this or anything else, email me at [email protected]