When I started teaching kids yoga over 10 years ago, there were no universal standards, even for adult yoga. There weren’t any 95 hour kids yoga training courses. They didn’t exist. After I did my adult training I had about 30 hours of kids yoga training in total spread over four years. The rest I learned from books. Which is why I also offer down-loadable trainings. It worked for me!
Kids need a fresh look at exercise, one that doesn’t require them to be “Athletic.” Kids need to see exercise as something that they can enjoy and something that can also save their lives. Exercise needs to enhance health, relieve stress, and serve us for a lifetime. We know Yoga fits the bill, but do others?
I like to sometimes note what I am seeing without sounding accusatory. In a simple, matter of fact (out of ear range of the child) way, you might ask the parents for suggestions, eg, how do they respond to that type of behavior at home or during other activities. This shows that you are willing to try to reinforce whatever is being taught at home.
A few other thoughts:
It wasn’t until I discovered yoga about 15 years ago that I found something that helped me feel healthy, happy, and centered, something I could do for life. I’ve done it with different intensity over the years; yoga has always been there for me no matter where I’ve been.
Being able to communicate the benefits of a non-competitive activity like yoga may help other children find a healthy lifestyle too.
Remember, yoga teaches children tools to manage their emotions, so your student is in the right place. I’ve had several students, who at first struggled to settle into the class dynamic, but over time were able to do so – and very successfully. Having said that, I have also had a student who I realized was not quite ready for a group class. Try the tips above without attachment before making any decisions.
From Rubber Yoga Mat, post The Yoga Teacher Told To Kids
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