Yoga for children: balance, calm and concentration

Today, children are often exposed to a hectic pace of life: school, screens, activities, stimuli of all kinds...

What if yoga became their secret superpower to help them focus better, relax, and thrive?

Kids yoga isn't just about fun poses (although they are part of it) — it's a valuable tool for growing in balance, confidence... and having fun! 🧘♂️🦋

If you want to go further in your practice, also discover 28 Good Reasons to Practice Yoga to fuel your motivation , and Cultivate the Art of Being Positive: 5 Little Challenges to Sow Joy and Confidence Every Day.

1. Why is yoga beneficial for children?

Yoga works on several levels of child development: physical, mental and emotional.

It's never too early to learn to breathe, refocus and better inhabit your body.

Here are some of its benefits:

🔸 Improves concentration: By learning to focus on their breathing or maintaining a posture, children develop their attention and memory.

🔸 Soothes emotions: Breathing and relaxation exercises help channel agitation, reduce anxiety, and recognize emotions.

🔸 Develops coordination and balance: The postures strengthen muscle tone while improving body awareness.

🔸 Promotes self-confidence: Every successful pose is a small victory! And in yoga, there are no failures—only joyful attempts.

🔸 Encourages kindness: toward yourself, others, and the planet. Yoga is also a state of mind.

children and their parent in downward dog yoga pose

2. At what age can you start yoga with a child?

Good news: you can start from a very young age, adapting the sessions according to the stage of development:

From 3 years old: very fun sessions with stories, games, animal postures.
From 6 years old: the child begins to understand the instructions better, we can introduce more structure.
From 9-10 years old: we can explore slightly more technical postures and introduce breathing exercises or guided relaxation.

👉 The key word remains: play ! The more fun the child has, the more he or she will naturally take to the practice.

3. How to practice yoga with your child at home?

You don't need to be a yoga teacher to practice with your child!

All it takes is a few minutes, a rug (or even a living room rug) and, above all, a good dose of imagination 🎈

Some tips for successful sessions:

Turn the session into an imitation game: “What if we became a very, very tall tree? And now, a little cat stretching?”
Create stories: invent a magical journey through different postures (the bridge, the dog, the butterfly, etc.).
Use soft music or nature sounds for ambiance.
Stay flexible: If your child can't stay still or prefers one position over another, that's okay!
Always finish with a moment of calm: in a star-shaped position on your back, eyes closed, or with a stuffed animal placed on your stomach to follow your breathing.

4. Fun and accessible poses for children

Here are some simple poses, with colorful names to stimulate their imagination:

🦁 The Roaring Lion (Simhasana)
On your knees, hands on your knees, stick out your tongue and let out a big roar! Perfect for releasing tension and having a good laugh.

🦋 The butterfly (Baddha Konasana)
Sitting with the soles of your feet together, gently beat your knees like the wings of a butterfly.

🌳 The Tree (Vrksasana)
One foot on the opposite ankle or thigh, hands to the sky. “And watch out for the wind!” Perfect for developing balance.

🐱 The cat and the cow (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana)
On all fours, arch your back (angry cat) then arch your back (happy cow). Alternating, it's very soothing.

🐍 The snake (Bhujangasana)
Lying on your stomach, push on your arms to raise your head and hiss like a snake: “Ssssss…”

⭐ The Star (Savasana for children)
Lying on your back, arms and legs spread. We rest, we dream, we breathe gently... It's the magical moment of the end ✨

5. Yoga classes for children: a good idea?

Yes, if your child needs a more structured setting or if they love group activities.

Many studios offer specific classes, often by age group, with adapted teaching methods.

Benefits of the courses:

The child discovers new games and postures
He learns to listen to his body and his emotions in a caring environment.
It's also a social moment, without competition, just for fun

Some teachers are also trained in yoga in schools or therapeutic settings (ADHD, hypersensitivity, anxiety, etc.).

👉 There are also some great online videos, perfect for testing at home. Some children's books have stories to read in posture, and even picture cards to draw at random!