Children's Yoga Certification

Become a Youth Yoga Expert

Graduate with the knowledge and skills to fluently teach yoga to kids ages 18 months-18 years. Study all the following topics with a trauma-sensitive, youth-specific lens:

Developmental Milestones
Asana, Partner Poses & Games
Pranayamap (Breathwork)
Mantras
Meditation and Mindfulness
History of Yoga
8-Limbed Philosophy
Cultural Competency and Inclusion
Behavior Management and Self Regulation

Certificate Requirements

To earn the USD professional development certificate in Children's Yoga, students are required to successfully complete the 8-unit course from Youth Alliance Yoga.

Enroll in the 8-unit section and earn graduate level extension credits. (Section 002 with 7.5 units is not eligible for a certificate.)

Curriculum

The Origins, history, and Philosophy of Yoga
Yoga and Cultural Appropriation
Trauma-Conscious Yoga for Kids
Yoga for Early Childhood (ages 2-4 years)
Yoga for Middle Childhood (ages 5-11)
Yoga for Adolescence (ages 12-18)
Pranayama
Asana: Foundational Poses and Sun Salutation A
Asana: Balance and Power Poses
Asana: Inversions, Bends and Twists
Asana: Sequencing
Behavior Management
Mantras and Chanting
Meditation
Yoga for Children with Special Needs
Anatomy and Physiology: Physical and Energetic
The Law, Business and Ethics of Children’s Yoga
Cultural Competency and Inclusion
Engaging with Families
Career Coaching

Learning Method:

Online Self-Paced

What You Will Learn:

Learn about the developmental stages and milestones of children in three cohorts: Early Childhood (ages 18 months-4 years), Elementary (ages 5-11), and Adolescence (ages 12-18)

Gain the communication skills to cultivate strong, positive relationships with parents/caretakers that support their child’s development

Learn the yoga precepts for ethical living (yamas and niyamas)

Build a children’s yoga class around one yama or niyama.

Learn the current legislative, YA, and governmental policies that impact teaching yoga to children

Expand knowledge on the law and business of children’s yoga in educational settings, public institutions, and private entities

Learn the basics of ethical language and conduct in the presence of children and their families

Learn how to adapt lesson plans for children with special needs

Who Should Attend

This course is highly recommended for educators, childcare professionals, yoga teachers, and others who serve children
(including but not limited to Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Pediatricians)

Benefits

The benefits of earning your certificate through the USD Children's Yoga program include gaining the skills necessary to bring yoga into the TK-12 setting, and settings for early childhood education. This program focuses on having a trauma-sensitive lens.