How to Start a Morning Yoga Club at Your School
Developing a morning yoga club has been the most exciting adventure during my 34 years of education. It has also been messy, imperfect, and continues to be full of learning curves. My goal each morning is to teach children to self-regulate by using breath and movement. Yoga stretches, brain gym movements, and dance routines encourage kids to have fun while practicing mindfulness. I continue to tweak, change, laugh, and grow from this experience. Last year’s Breathe and Stretch Club was held every Wednesday morning for 20 minutes. This year it has grown to three mornings a week with the kids begging for me to add more days. Here are some tips that have helped keep a healthy balance of fun, structure, and organization.
• Determine time & location– Start small and let it grow.
My Incredible Talking Body Sign encourages kids to CHOOSE CALM.
• Choose club name- Emotion Regulation Room, Breathe & Stretch Club, Yoga Club, Morning Wake Up Club, Emotional Literacy Lab
• Decorate– Use twinkle lights, low lights, or flameless candles
• Inform parents & staff – A permission slip is required when you choose individual students (as counselors do for group guidance). Offering the club out to entire school or certain grade allows you to send a letter of information to all parents. Some may opt out due to religious beliefs.
Purchase mats & mat cleaner - Write a grant or ask for donations.
• Locate sound system or portable speaker
• Choose free music- Powerful You Spotify
• Purchase transition chime - Chime signals silence
• Share aroma therapy- lavender is calming, but be aware of allergies
• Study & practice Breathe & Stretch on the Beach Book (or your favorite curriculum)
• Add modification tools- Scarves, tennis balls, hula hoops, parachutes, and beach balls add fun and movement
• Create Patterns - Combine poses while teaching kids to flow with their breath
• Plan a yoga studio field trip– Ask a local yoga studio to be a business partner -
• Practice self-care– Find a yoga class, eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and drink water.
• FREE mindfulness videos https://www.powerfulyou.info/primary-school-video-library
• Reach out to me at juliefrizzi17@gmail.comwith any questions!
Breathe and Stretch on the Beach is an interactive listening and movement game that helps children build focus, confidence, calmness, and self-awareness through playful stretching and positive self-talk. Designed for ages 3 and up, this engaging resource can be used in the classroom, counseling groups, therapy settings, or at home by teachers, counselors, parents, and caregivers.
After learning the beach-themed poses, a leader calls out poses in any order, encouraging participants to listen carefully, move mindfully, and practice deep breathing, stretching, and relaxation. Children stay engaged while developing important social-emotional and self-regulation skills in a fun, active way.
Participants will:
Understand and practice controlled breathing
Respect personal space by moving safely without touching others
Strengthen self-control using nonverbal communication
Improve focus and attention
Increase self-awareness
Replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk
Build joy, strength, gratitude, and confidence
Each pose is paired with empowering affirmations so children can embody positive mindsets as they move. Examples include:
Coconut Tree, Eagle, Airplane – I am focused
Sports Boat, Charge Your Battery, Flying Fish – I am full of energy
Hurricane – I step aside for others
Crab – I let my light shine
Paddleboard – I am responsible for what I say, think, and do
Breathe and Stretch on the Beach is a joyful way to help children move their bodies, calm their minds, and grow strong from the inside out.
Powerfulyou.info