Teaching Trauma-Informed Yoga for Children

This workshop is part of Edge Yoga School’s Trauma-Informed Series: Teaching Trauma-Informed Yoga to Special Populations.

Children’s yoga involves more than adapting adult yoga postures for younger bodies. Teachers must also consider developmental needs, attention span, transitions, sensory experiences, classroom structure, communication, and the many ways children may choose to participate.

This practical workshop explores how trauma-informed principles can be integrated into children’s yoga while preserving creativity, imagination, play, and movement.

Participants will examine ways to provide clear expectations, developmentally appropriate choices, predictable transitions, and opportunities for participation without pressure.

Each workshop in the Trauma-Informed Series stands on its own. Participants do not need to attend all three sessions.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Supportive and invitational language
• Offering choices without overwhelming children
• Creating a clear and predictable class structure
• Using movement, storytelling, games, and creativity
• Navigating transitions and changing energy levels
• Observing behavior without labeling the child
• Supporting participation without forcing performance
• Creating more inclusive experiences in studios, schools, camps, and community programs
• Trauma-informed children’s yoga is reflected not only in what we teach, but also in the language we use, the choices we offer, and the way we respond when a child participates differently than expected.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Use more supportive and invitational teaching language
• Offer developmentally appropriate choices
• Create clearer transitions and more predictable class structures
• Respond to different forms of participation without labeling or pressuring the child
• Apply trauma-informed principles to children’s yoga classes and community programs

A REAL-WORLD CHILDREN’S YOGA OFFERING

Participants will examine this completed Eventbrite listing as a repeatable professional model. The workshop demonstrates how a complete offering is developed through:

• A clear title and subtitle
• A participant-centered description
• Trauma-informed language
• Learning objectives
• A structured agenda
• Frequently asked questions
• Professional photography and video
• Registration information
• Continuing education details
• A pathway into advanced training

The example demonstrates how yoga teachers can turn their knowledge into organized classes, workshops, camps, school programs, community events, and continuing education offerings.

YOGA ALLIANCE CONTINUING EDUCATION

Participants who complete this workshop will receive a Yoga Alliance YACEP continuing education certificate from Edge Yoga School.

This workshop can help Registered Yoga Teachers work toward the training hours required during each Yoga Alliance continuing education cycle.

CONTINUE TOWARD RCYT

This workshop introduces the trauma-informed teaching approach used throughout Edge Yoga School’s complete Children’s Yoga Teacher Training.

Participants ready to continue beyond this introductory session may enroll in the qualifying 95-hour RCYS training. Eligible graduates may apply to Yoga Alliance for the RCYT credential.

GOOD TO KNOW

Age information: This is a professional-development workshop for yoga teachers, educators, and other adult learners. It is not a children’s yoga class.

Arrival: Arrival instructions will be added when the venue is confirmed.

Parking: Parking information will be added with the venue details.

Accessibility: Contact Edge Yoga School through Eventbrite with accessibility questions or accommodation requests.

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Michelle Rae Sobi

Michelle Rae Sobi is the founder of Edge Yoga School and an educator specializing in trauma-informed yoga, functional anatomy, Ayurveda, and teaching special populations. She holds E-RYT 500, RPYT, RCYT, and YACEP credentials through Yoga Alliance.