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Are you a kids yoga teacher who would like to work in schools but are wondering how to manage such large groups? Perhaps this is something that you already do, but don’t feel confident with it? If so, then this might be the blog for you, as I’m sharing my top tips for teaching large groups. A question that I often get asked by other kids yoga teachers is “How do you teach such large classes and keep them all involved and focused?” Most of the classes that I teach are within curriculum time and are with classes of about 30 children. Here’s my preferred set up (although not all schools have such lovely big halls!):  I should share here that my background is in education and before doing what I do now (Children’s Well-Being Specialist), I was a primary school teacher.
Since 1997 I’ve been working with large groups of children and for 5 years of this time, I was a school senior leader, often leading whole school assemblies. So, big numbers of children is something I’m really comfortable with. That said, teaching kids yoga to large groups is a whole other kettle of fish (that’s a weird phrase isn’t it?!) It’s different because the relationship between yoga teacher and pupils is usually different to the typical teacher - pupil relationship. It actually took me quite a while to adjust to being different with large groups of children. However, I do MUCH prefer being “Julia, our well-being teacher” than “Mrs Hankins” Ok, I said I’d give you some tips and now I’m just waffling on- so lets get to it. Have a clear and simple plan! This might sound obvious, but taking time to create the plan for the lesson and ensuring that you know it well means that you will feel calmer. I prefer a ‘less is more’ approach here and don’t use to many words on my plan, this is so that I can refer to it quickly and see what’s coming without having to read lots. You can get a copy of the planning grids that I use here 🎁. You might also find these videos useful: 📹 3 types of plan 📹 Love your planning process 📹 Make your plan work for you not against you If you aren’t sure what to teach then I highly recommend the e-course Structure for Success (which is soon to be increasing in price so now is a great time to get it!) Set up your space Ideally this is before the children come into the space. Whenever I have to set up ‘with the kids’ it also starts a little bit chaotic, I find that I am dysregulated and that impacts upon the lesson. This might not be true for you though, so if setting up with kids is working for you, then obviously ignore me- but I personally find that setting up before the kids and giving myself a little moment of calm before it begins sets the tone for the lesson and it runs more smoothly. Use mats (or some way to identify personal space) - one per child. I have heard other kids yoga teachers say that this isn’t necessary, but for me, the lessons that I teach where every child has a designated space go a WHOLE LOT better than those where space is not defined. Why is this? When the children have a designated space that is clearly defined, they find it easier to concentrate- they are less likely to be distracted by or distract others and they feel safer and more confident. Imagine going to an adult yoga class and there being no mats and someone on one side felt ‘too close’ and the person on the other side had no awareness of their own space and kept waving their arm in your face. Sounds horrible doesn’t it? That’s because it is- let’s not do this to our kids! Have clear expectations and rules I’ve talked about this before - you can: 📹 watch the video Boost Behaviour here or get 🎁 my free rules poster and guide here Rules and boundaries are key for everyone. If you feel like you need more here, the training Tame the Crowd without being Loud is for you! (This is also about to go up in price, as it’s about to get updated) Introduction EVERY TIME! No matter how long you have been working with a year group, before the lesson starts:
Consider your props! Make sure that:
I talk much more about this here: 📹 On this free video, Top Prop Tips You can also get 🎁My free guide here where I share my favourite props and how I use them in my classes. 🧠Don’t miss the e-course Props like a Pro which teaches so much more about using props within your classes to support and extend learning and excite your students. Use Cards My classes always include using cards, these support the learning, help children to remember poses, help you to structure the class and are fun to use. 🎁Here are some tips for using cards 📹There's also the free video Top of the Props! which you might like to check out. If you’d like to get your hands on the cards that I created to use specifically with large groups and learn how to use them in all of your classes, check out Captivate with Cards Training and Resource Bundle Start at the side This is something that is so small that it feels like I shouldn’t mention it, but I really have noticed a difference when I haven’t done this! I always like to greet the class as they come into the hall and get them sat at the edge of the hall (in some halls there are benches at the edges which is just perfect!) This is where:
Only after all of this do we walk to the mats and the main ‘space’ of the lesson. This means that when we do get to the mats we have a shared understanding. Be interactive To me this is crucial. I use lots of opportunities to get children to interact within the lesson, this could be:
It’s all about YOU As the adult in the room, the energy will largely be impacted by you and your state. If you are anxious, the kids will pick up on that, if you are confident - the kids will be led by you. If you are irritable- you can bet that this will play out in some way. Therefore, the best tip that I can give you to have successful kids yoga classes with large groups, is to manage your own energy/ nervous system/ mood first and all else will come second! I could talk / write ALL day about this because teaching large groups is what I do and I love it! I’m going to stop here though! You can: 🎁 get any of the freebies that I mentioned here 📹 watch any / all of my free videos here 🧠 access all of my e-courses here If you'd like to save yourself some money, The School Yoga Teacher Bundle is a great way of doing this as you get 5 e-courses for just £147 - this is increasing in price soon though. If you would like some personal support here, why not book a one to one mentoring session with me here. There are options for one off meetings and also a 6 month mentoring programme (where you get lifetime access to all of my current resources and e-course included). Ready to make 2025 the year you invest in your kids' yoga business and take it to the next level? If you're looking for the guidance and support to grow your confidence, skills, and business in a way that feels authentic to you, this is for you! Sign up in December, and you can kick off your mentoring package in January while enjoying immediate access to all my courses and resources. That’s a whole month to dive into my trainings and tools, getting a head start before we officially begin working together. Sound like your kind of thing? Get instant, lifetime access now Would you like an informal, no pressure chat with me to see if we are compatible to work together? Book it for free here Do you have a question that you'd like answered? Email me at [email protected] - I would love to hear from you!
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