Navigating the challenges in schools

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Let’s face it- it can feel a bit strange teaching kids yoga in a school environment!

As both a kids yoga teacher and an experienced primary school teacher, I still found teaching yoga in the school environment a bit weird at first.

It can feel like a collision of two very different worlds. The world of yoga where we are encouraged to listen to our bodies, be still, listen to our inner truth….. meets- the world of the school where we are encouraged to listen to others, follow instruction and – well, frankly conform- often ignoring our inner voice.
 
My work now is predominantly in schools delivering yoga, mindfulness and well-being lessons and I wanted to share with you some reflections that I have about this.

The honest truth about schools…

Sometimes the space that you have in a school can feel like a ridiculous place to deliver a yoga/ mindfulness/ well-being lesson.

I’m talking:

• A hall that is also a corridor with multiple people walking though.
• A room that is smaller than you were expecting and sometimes with obstacles to navigate, or move yourself!
• Food on the floor following lunch/ break/ before school club etc.
• Too hot, too loud, etc. etc.

I could continue- I’ve experienced all of these and more (and I’m sure that many reading this would have more to add!)

Sometimes the staff in school can feel at odds with what you are trying to achieve.

This might look like staff:

• Disrupting the lesson by chatting in the same room or walking through loudly.
• Shouting at children “lie still!” “Stop being silly!”.
• Correcting children.
• Walking on mats in their shoes.
• Changing rooms, plans and timetables without communicating that to you, or each other!

Sometimes actually teaching within a school can feel overwhelming.

This might be because:

• Class sizes might be bigger than you are used to with 30 children in one class.
• The behaviour or needs of the children may be challenging.
• If teaching within the school day, you might not know where to start with planning lessons for curriculum time. If so, these trainings might help you.
• If teaching extra-curriculum classes, you may struggle to think of ideas for an ongoing class of the same children, if so, this resource and training bundle might be for you.
• Managing multiple classes back to back might feel overwhelming.

I’ve experienced all of these issues and more and I still believe that teaching within schools is totally worth it because:

• In a school environment you reach a wider range of children than you would in a community class and benefit children who really need the strategies and teachings that you offer and may never experience this otherwise.
• Being part of a community feels really lovely and being welcomed back to the same places each week by the same people is special- being self -employed can feel lonely!
• School work is far more consistent and reliable, once set up, finances are more predictable.

Here are some points that I think are important to know when working in schools. They may sound simplistic and obvious but I think they are easy to forget or not consider:

1. Schools are big organisations, communication can be really difficult because there is a limited amount of time to speak with other members of staff. Even with emails, meetings, post it notes and quick catch ups in the corridor – miscommunication is common. None of this is personal, these issues are an issue for everyone in a school and it is frustrating for staff too!
2. The people within the school may have preconceived ideas about what yoga and mindfulness is and isn’t. This will shape their expectations of you and the classes that you deliver.
3. There are many things that us yoga teachers can take for granted, we often think that everyone knows what we know! Often times, we are not even aware that we are making an assumption.  Most people in a school won't have first hand experience of yoga and mindfulness.
4. Children will be excited and this will show in their behaviour!

Practical ways to manage difficulties that may arise when working in schools

Clear communication of expectations
Before starting the classes, make sure that you are clear about what is expected of you and have discussions about your needs and expectations too. Also, be clear about who your main point of contact is for the school.

When you are working at the school, communicate your needs and expectations clearly with adults and children.

• Be clear about what you need in terms of space and staff
• FAQs- shared via email with the organising member of staff and also laminated for each accompanying member of staff to view.
• Clear explanation to children before you start about what they can expect in the class and also how you expect them to behave. You might find my free rules guide useful here.
• Don’t be afraid to talk to your contact in school if you are having any issues.

Some extra support
Working in schools can be brilliant, challenging, inspiring, confusing, all of the things!
But you don’t have to do it alone!

🫂Make sure that you are in the free community School Yoga Teachers.
🧠Check out these trainings to support your journey you get lifetime access to all of these, if you have a mentoring package with me.
👩🏻‍💻Get some personalised support.
✨Why not chat with me and see if working together could help you.
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