Ground yourself

Practice what you teach: if you don’t manage to regulate your own emotions and triggers, how can kids around you manage it? 

Try and make time for your regular yoga and mindfulness practice. Build your inner resources to be able to ground yourself before starting, meet the kids where they’re at and guide them into a more relaxed state.

It might happen that one day, you don’t feel well, maybe somewhat sad or very hyper. As long as you are aware of it, you can adapt your teaching that day. 

Trust yourself

Be a kids yoga class or a family yoga practice, you most probably have already learned a lot in your own practice, teaching course and/or as a parent. You’ve got it. 

As a rule, make sure to minimise distraction, to talk rather less than more (kids are talked to all day), model good listening and to trust yourself. Mistakes can happen, « bad » day can arrive, take them as an opportunity to learn and grow from it. And build your own style and voice. 

Kids in particular feel when people are not « natural » and you will not be able to feel totally at ease otherwise. On the contrary, being yourself and owning it will help you bond more with the kids. Which brings us to the next point.

It might be the most difficult lesson: if some parents or kids don’t like your class (but others do), your class was not meant for them. 

For instance, I had a very physically gifted kid who found yoga too easy and dismissed all that was not « difficult » postures. After listening, I discover this kid really enjoyed doing gymnastics and was not ready to engage in more mindful motion and relaxation, even if it would done of lot for the kid’s emotional growth. Not ready yet. You cannot forced being liked and trying to force it does not work on the long run.

As a parent, you might want to pass down your love of yoga. Don’t be too disappointed if it does not work yet … maybe the practice itself will not do, but you can infuse your parenting with yoga and mindfulness, and help them with some tools (for instance breathing before an exam) on the spot.

You are and will be the core of your kids yoga and family yoga class. And every day is an opportunity to learn and continue our journey.