When I first met Leo, a bright and curious 6-year-old, he struggled to sit still for over a minute and complete any tasks. His parents worried that his difficulty focusing and regulating his emotions would prevent him from transitioning into a K- General education classroom. Leo’s IEP consisted of many goals related to self-regulation, and the ability to stay patiently on task. I’m glad to share that through a structured yoga and mindfulness program that was individually “cooked” for him, Leo learned how to use his breath to calm his body, practiced yoga poses that helped him build patience, and engaged in guided relaxation that improved his ability to sustain attention. Over the course of 12 sessions, his school teachers noticed a remarkable shift—he was more engaged, less impulsive, and able to follow multi-step directions. By the end of the program, Leo had developed the skills necessary to transition successfully into a general education class, demonstrating the powerful impact of yoga on focus and self-regulation.
For parents of children with any developmental delays or challenges with executive functioning, finding tools that nurture growth, self-awareness, and emotional regulation is essential. Children between the ages of 5 and 10 are at a critical stage in developing the ability to focus, practice patience, and regulate their emotions. These foundational skills impact their ability to communicate, learn, and build meaningful relationships.
One powerful, holistic approach to supporting these skills is individualized yoga, breathwork, meditation, and body awareness classes presented in a playful and engaging way. These guided sessions offer a structured yet deeply personal way for your child to develop essential life skills in an engaging and nonjudgmental environment.
Why Yoga?
Unlike traditional therapies that may focus solely on cognitive or behavioral interventions, yoga integrates movement, breath, and mindfulness, working with the whole child—body and mind. Here’s how regular yoga sessions can support children with ADHD, ASD, and executive functioning challenges:
- Improved Focus & Attention: Yoga incorporates structured movement and stillness, helping children strengthen their ability to concentrate. Simple breathing techniques and body postures can enhance cognitive control and task completion.
- Enhanced Self-Regulation: Many children struggle with managing big emotions. Yoga provides a safe space to recognize, process, and express feelings through movement and breath, fostering emotional balance and reducing impulsivity.
- Patience & Impulse Control: Holding a pose, moving with intention, and learning to breathe deeply teaches patience in a tangible, physical way. Children experience firsthand the connection between slowing down and feeling more in control.
- Increased Body Awareness: Many children with developmental delays experience sensory sensitivities. Yoga helps them understand and feel comfortable in their own bodies, reducing anxiety and sensory overload.
- A Calming, Predictable Routine: Executive functioning difficulties often include struggles with transitions and unpredictability. Individualized yoga sessions provide a predictable structure that is both grounding and reassuring.
A Journey in Sessions, Not a Quick Fix
Just like any developmental intervention, progress in yoga comes through consistency. Our sessions are designed as a series, each building on the last. Through gradual practice, your child will strengthen their attention span, patience, and ability to self-regulate in ways that extend beyond the mat and into daily life.
Each session includes movement, breathwork, and guided relaxation, along with a short interactive story discussing the yamas and niyamas—fundamental principles of yoga that introduce children to values like friendship, discipline, communication, and self-awareness. These concepts are woven into engaging discussions and real-life examples, helping children build social-emotional skills in a way that feels natural and fun.
What Will a Session Look Like?
A typical session is carefully curated to meet the needs of each child. It may include:
- A welcoming breathwork exercise to settle in and focus.
- Yoga poses and playful movement, designed to enhance body awareness and self-regulation.
- A short story illustrating a yama or niyama, reinforcing values like kindness, patience, and honesty in relatable ways.
- A closing relaxation exercise or visualization to integrate learning and leave your child feeling calm and centered.
Recommended Course Structure
To truly see results in focus, patience, and self-regulation, it’s recommended to experience a minimum of 12 sessions. This structured course allows children to build familiarity and confidence in the techniques, gradually strengthening their ability to apply these skills in daily life. Each session is intentionally sequenced to reinforce previous learning, creating a steady and sustainable path toward improved emotional and cognitive functioning.
By Natasha Marsch, MS Ed – TeachYoungMind@gmail.com
Education Director
This is so insightful and a gold mine for why I need to involve my toddler in my yoga practice even though her attention span can be lacking. Thank you Natasha!