School Yoga Program

A 6-week, step-by-step course to create a customized yoga program for your classroom or school

Do you want to bring yoga and mindfulness to your school, but you’re completely perplexed on how exactly to do that?

We hear this all the time from our community.

You know the value of yoga and mindfulness… but find it challenging to convey all the benefits in a meaningful way to your school community.

Even if parents and the administration are on board and you have the green light to launch a program… where do you even start?

Time is tight, resources are limited, and getting buy-in from children (and even parents, admin, and peers) can be challenging.

Let us help you take away the overwhelm and confusion, and provide a solid framework for you to create a fully customized plan for your school—a plan you can easily tailor to your needs, your students, and your school, so you feel confident bringing these valuable and life-changing practices to your students.

No two schools are alike. Every school has its challenges and culture, needs and limitations. Only YOU know what these are. Taking a done-for-you, “boxed” yoga and mindfulness program may seem like a good approach (we all want something simple, right?), but these programs are rarely a great fit. And oftentimes, they’re not suitable for the specific needs of a classroom or school.

Your students are unique, and you need a program tailored to them!

School Yoga Program was created with this in mind.

This course was created so you can create the perfect classroom/school yoga program that fits you, your students, and your school ... all within 6 weeks!

You will walk away from this program with a plan in hand and resources to get started right away!

This program is based on a strong foundation, which starts with you, yet flexible enough to meet students where they’re at and change over time, if needed.

During this four-module program, you will:

:: Discover ways to fund your program… even if the costs seem prohibitive, you’re not sure what options are available, or you don’t think your school will contribute.

:: Learn tools to get buy-in from hesitant administrators, skeptic teachers, and concerned parents… even if they think yoga is religious, view it as some “wishy-washy, hippy-dippy” practice, or simply value academics above all else.

:: Dig deeper to understand what’s culturally relevant for your community, what support you have based on any challenges and special needs, and what may and may not work for your school population... so you can create the very best program for your school.

:: Prepare yourself with a variety of engaging exercises and practices that students will enjoy… even if they think yoga and mindfulness is lame and boring or if they’re overly concerned what others might think.

:: Engage with the tools and resources to adapt to different age groups and maturity levels so that children find yoga engaging and interesting... so everyone benefits from the mindfulness and yoga lessons, even the most challenging students. 

:: Create a workable, consistent plan that can easily adapt and fit into your day—even if you feel there is very little time to fit in everything that is already required of you.

:: Gain the confidence to teach the poses and exercises, even if you’re uncomfortable with the movements, don’t feel like a yoga role model, or generally feel "out of shape.”

:: Discover ways to meet the entire class where they’re at, despite challenges with skeptical students who goof off or try and distract the rest of the class from the activity.

:: Learn to present research and build strategies to convince parents, administration, and teachers that yoga and mindfulness can actually benefit children’s academic performance as much as their social emotional well-being... 
...that way you can gain more buy-in and support from the major stakeholders in bringing yoga and mindfulness to children.

:: See what’s possible by hearing from teachers in the field who have successfully brought yoga and mindfulness to their schools—that way, you can see what a school yoga program looks like in action and have the confidence to create your own!

Course curriculum

  • 1

    WELCOME TO SCHOOL YOGA PROGRAM (Fall 2024)

    • Welcome message from Giselle

  • 2

    Before You Begin...

    • Before you begin...

    • START HERE: Look Inside Video

    • Program Index

    • Welcome Video from Giselle and Cassandra

    • Coaching Calls (#1-3) Schedule

  • 3

    Bonuses

    • Bonuses

  • 4

    Private Facebook Group

    • Private Facebook Group

  • 5

    Module 1: School Yoga Program

    • Module 1: Overview

    • DOWNLOAD: Module 1 Workbook

    • VIDEO: Introduction

    • VIDEO: Benefits

    • ---> School Yoga Research

    • ---> Yoga Sutras for Beginners: Teaching Yoga Philosophy to Children

    • VIDEO: Basics

    • PRESENTATION: Trauma-Informed, Inclusive, and Accessible Yoga with Larissa

    • ---> Trauma-Informed, Inclusive, and Accessible Yoga (Slides)

    • VIDEO: Behavior

    • ---> Tips to Managing Behavior

    • ---> Class Management 20 Top Tips

    • ---> Tips to Engage Children

    • ---> Adapting Yoga for Children with Diverse Needs

    • SAMPLE: School Yoga Program Ideas

  • 6

    Module 2: School Yoga Program

    • Module 2: Overview

    • DOWNLOAD: Module 2 Workbook

    • VIDEO: Nuts and Bolts

    • VIDEO: Budgeting

    • ---> Yoga Class Budget

    • ---> Yoga Program Monthly Budget

    • ---> 10 Top Yoga Props to buy on Amazon

    • VIDEO: Financial Backing

    • ---> Find Funding for School Yoga Programs

    • ---> Sample Yoga Storytime Proposal

    • PRESENTATION: How to Find Funding

    • ---> Funding Options Handout

    • ---> Sample Yoga Program Funding Proposal

    • ---> Grant Writing Tips for School Yoga Programs

    • ---> School Yoga Grant Application (Print)

    • ---> School Yoga Grant Application (Fillable Online)

    • ---> Sample Innovation Grant Application

  • 7

    Module 3: School Yoga Program

    • Module 3: Overview

    • DOWNLOAD: Module 3 Workbook

    • VIDEO: Buy-In

    • ---> School Yoga Get Buy In

    • ---> How to Teach Yoga in Schools (And Get Paid for It!)

    • ---> Sample Kids Yoga Registration and Waiver Form

    • ---> Sample Virtual Kids Yoga Proposal

    • VIDEO: Implementation

    • ---> Amy's Mindfulness Morning Announcements: School Year Sample (SYP Alumni)

    • VIDEO: Evaluation

    • ---> Sample Weather Assessment

    • ---> Sample Yoga Program Evaluations

  • 8

    Module 4 - Final: School Yoga Program

    • Module 4: Final Overview

    • DOWNLOAD: Module 4 Workbook

    • VIDEO: Magic Wand

    • VIDEO: Build your School Yoga Program

    • School Yoga Program Template (Print)

    • School Yoga Program Template (Fillable)

    • PRESENTATION: How to Create a Mindfulness Club

  • 9

    Coaching Calls

    • Coaching Call #1 - Oct 25th, 2024

    • Coaching Call #2 - Nov 8th, 2024

    • Coaching Call #3 - Nov 22nd, 2024

  • 10

    Expert Interviews

    • How to Add Depth and Meaning to your Kids Yoga Classes with Katie Rose

    • How to Get Started Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to Children with Cassandra

    • How to Engage Children in Kids Yoga Classes with Laura McEgan

    • How to Manage Unexpected or Disruptive Behavior with Dayna Abraham

    • How to Apply for School Yoga Grant with Leslie (SYP Alumni)

    • How to Engage Students by Adding Music with Kira Willey

    • How to Create Mindful Morning Announcements with Amy K. (SYP Alumni)

    • How to Create a Yoga SPACE from Scratch with Amy B. (SYP Alumni)

    • How to Create an After-School Mindfulness Club with JaTorra (SYP Alumni)

  • 11

    Additional Resources

    • SAMPLE: School Yoga Programs

    • 50 Yoga Poses for Grownups

    • Monthly + Class Planner Template

    • Supporting Child and Student Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Mental Health Needs (USA Dept of Education)

    • Recommended Reading

    • Quizzes and Challenges

  • 12

    Survey

    • Before you go...

  • 13

    How to Earn Graduate-Level Professional Development Semester Units/Credits

    • How to Earn Graduate-Level Professional Development Semester Units/Credits

    • Certificate of Completion

INCLUDES:

  • 3-Group Support Calls with
    Giselle & Cassandra

    We wanted to make sure that you have the support needed to make your school yoga and mindfulness plan a reality! You will have an opportunity to attend THREE live calls with Giselle Shardlow, Founder of Kids Yoga Stories and Cassandra Troughton, Community Manager for KYS and former teaching assistant who successfully brought yoga and mindfulness to her school community.

  • Yoga and Mindfulness 101 Course


    The first step in bringing yoga and mindfulness to your school or classroom really starts with YOU! In order to teach the basic skills, it’s important that you have a solid foundation and start your own practice. It doesn’t need to be elaborate or lengthy—just discover what works best for you and create some consistency. This video and interactive course walks you through the four steps to create or reignite your own yoga and mindfulness practice.
    (value: $150)

  • One-to-One Call with Giselle

    ** First 12 people who sign up**

    Do you wish you had someone to chat with who could help you gain clarity with your ideas, work through obstacles specific to your situation, and brainstorm ideas that will help make your plans a reality for your school/classroom?
    You will have an opportunity to schedule a 1-to1 call with Giselle Shardlow, Founder of Kids Yoga Stories who will help you get started!
    (value: $300)

...AND EVEN MORE!

  • School Yoga Lesson Planning Course

    This course will guide you through the process of being able to create your own customized yoga lesson plans for your yoga program.
    This course includes:
    6 engaging video lessons
    A handy downloadable workbook
    Fillable worksheets
    And tons of examples and samples
    (value: $97)

  • $50 Store Credit

    To help you get started on your school yoga and mindfulness adventure, you'll receive a $50 store credit to spend on any digital resources within our Kids Yoga Stories store.

    Choose from over 250 digital products, courses, and teaching resources!
    Need help deciding? Our team will help you choose the very best product based on your completed school yoga plan.
    (value: $50)

  • Become Member of Kids Yoga Stories Ambassadors

    You'll receive ongoing support and accountability within our private Facebook group.

    You will join our private Facebook group and have an opportunity to attend private events and included in special offers. You can with Giselle, various team members and guests, and members of the School Yoga Program community to help you on your journey. This generous community will help you stay accountable to your goals, brainstorm ideas, work through challenges, and connect with others all working towards bringing yoga and mindfulness to schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I don’t practice yoga and mindfulness myself. Will this be a problem?

    Definitely not! We hear this all the time, and this concern is one of the main barriers for teachers to get started. Please don’t let this stop you from bringing the benefits of yoga and mindfulness to children.

    For those of you who purchase during our very special launch, we have created a bonus course, Yoga and Mindfulness 101, that will help you begin to explore and develop your own practice. And working on your own practice is baked into every bootcamp session! Each day, we will be doing movement, breathing, and energy exercises.

  • What are the benefits of yoga for kids?

    Reduces anger, depression, and fatigue so that they can better manage the highs and lows of life now and long into the future

    Eases anxiety, stress, and tension so that they can focus on the positive aspects of life and lead happier lives.

    Improves stress management and teaches them healthy, productive ways to manage challenging tasks in school and tension-filled times.

    Enhances focus, attention, concentration, comprehension, and memory so they can better perform in school and other activities they enjoy.

    Provides opportunities for patience, reflection, and self-insight, thereby reducing problem behaviors.

    Increases resilience and coping frequency so that challenges and set-backs don’t derail them from their goals in life.

    Increases flexibility, strength, and balance increasing their self-confidence thereby promoting a healthy body-image and creating healthy habits around physical activities.

  • When are the live calls?

    Friday, October 25th, 2024, 2:30pm ET
    Friday, November 8th, 2024, 2:30pm ET
    Friday, November 22nd, 2024, 2:30pm ET

  • How much does it cost?


    As a member of our community, all you’ll pay is one-time payment of $697.

    We only offer this course twice a year and the price goes up every session.

  • What’s the refund policy?

    When you purchase this special program, you have a full 30 days to decide whether or not you want to keep it or return it for a full refund. If, for any reason, you decide this resource is not for you, simply reach out, and my team will provide a full, prompt refund.

Instructor(s)

Founder

Giselle Shardlow

I'm Giselle, Founder of Kids Yoga Stories... and I totally get it! I know what it’s like to be a primary school teacher in chaotic classrooms with limited time and loads of curriculum to teach. I also have a daughter who has additional needs. In order to help children everywhere, including my daughter, manage the ups and downs of life, I’ve spent the last twelve years creating resources, workbooks, books, and guides for teachers, parents, and anyone wanting to bring yoga and mindfulness to children.  And, I’m thrilled to finally bring you my biggest, most comprehensive offering yet and help you design your very own tailor-made school yoga program. I can’t wait to meet you and work together toward a common goal—helping children be active and healthy and to get the most out of life!