One of the most beautiful parts of introducing yoga to children is witnessing how naturally they absorb its deeper values — long before they understand the philosophy behind it.
At the heart of yoga lies Ahimsa, the principle of non-harm.
But Ahimsa isn’t just about avoiding violence — it’s about choosing gentleness, compassion, and care in our thoughts, actions, and relationships.
And this begins with something simple: Learning to listen to the body.
1. Self-awareness builds empathy
When children practice yoga, they tune into their breath, notice how their body feels, or pause before pushing themselves too hard, they’re practicing the first step of empathy — awareness.
A child who can say, My body feels tired” is building awareness is also learning to understand that others have feelings too.
2. Breathwork teaches emotional balance
Simple practices like balloon breathing or humming bee breath help children calm their nervous system.
A calm child is better able to:
- think before reacting
- make kinder choices
- understand how others may feel during big emotions
This emotional regulation becomes the foundation of compassion.
3. Partner poses teach cooperation & trust
When children practise partner yoga, they experience:
- give-and-take
- supporting each other
- communicating with care
These skills mirror how kindness works in everyday life.
4. Story-based yoga builds perspective-taking
Through yoga stories, children step into someone else’s world.
They become the butterfly, the tree, the lion.This imaginative experience strengthens their ability to understand different viewpoints — the essence of empathy.
5. Self-kindness becomes kindness to others
When yoga teaches children to be gentle with themselves — to rest, to breathe, to move in ways that feel good — they begin to embody kindness from the inside out.And a child who feels kindness within naturally expresses kindness outward.
6. Mindfulness builds compassion
When kids practise yoga and mindfulness, they slow down and pay attention to what’s happening inside them — their thoughts, their emotions, their breath, and their body.
For example:
Quiet Moment in Child’s Pose
Children rest in Child’s Pose and gently notice how their body feels supported by the floor.
This teaches grounding and inner calm.
Over time, this awareness helps them realise:
- “I also have big feelings.”
- “Sometimes I feel sad, angry, scared, excited… and that’s normal.”
When a child understands their own emotions, it becomes easier for them to understand that other people have feelings too.
So mindfulness quietly teaches children:
✨ Everyone feels upset sometimes
✨ Everyone makes mistakes
✨ Everyone needs care
✨ Everyone has moments when they need kindness
This gentle understanding is what grows compassion — the ability to care about someone else’s feelings, not just their own.
Mindfulness helps kids notice their own emotions.
And when they understand their own feelings, it becomes easier to understand someone else’s — which naturally grows empathy. 💛
Why This Matters
In a world where children are constantly rushed, compared, and overstimulated, yoga gives them a rare gift: a space to slow down, feel, listen, and understand.
By practising Yoga, children learn:
✨ to care for their bodies
✨ to regulate big emotions
✨ to notice how others feel
✨ to choose kindness even in challenges
This is the kind of learning that shapes who they become — far beyond the yoga mat.
If you’re an educator, parent, or professional who wants to integrate these empathy-building tools into your work, wellness curriculums explore our Kids Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training — a child-centred, evidence-informed program designed to grow the next generation with more compassion and emotional strength through the tools of Yoga & Mindfulness.
Explore here- Registration & Curriculum Info
👉 Course Link for Singapore : https://courses.blissyogasg.com/courses/kids-yoga-teacher-training-singapore
👉Course Link for Live Online : https://courses.blissyogasg.com/courses/95-Hours-kids-yoga-teacher-training
👉 Course Link for Self-Paced : https://courses.blissyogasg.com/courses/children-yoga-teacher-training
Upcoming Online & In-Person training dates are listed on the page.
About Me: Parul Chaturvedi
✨ Certified Children’s & Family Yoga & Mindfulness Coach
🧘♀️ Special Needs Certified
🧘♀️ 95 Hours Children Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher’s Trainer
📚 Promoting Wellness in Schools & Families
📚 Self-publisher of kids yoga book – Bella’s Garden Adventure
🌐 Building online platform for children wellness content
I talk about holistic well-being, engagement, and inclusivity in children’s wellness, and advocate for children’s wellness as a career choice.
Warm Regards,
Parul Chaturvedi
Follow Insta @blissyogakids