Flow into fun and beautiful expressions in Yoga Dance FUN this term. In this program, we will combine the asanas of yoga with the movement, creativity, and rhythm of contemporary dance and the fun and power of bootcamp! Through individual exercise, choreography and partner or small group activities, students will develop strength and artistry in movement. Participants will learn how the power of dance and yoga complement each other as they flow into mindful movement each week. Join us and find the inner dancer, artist, and yogi in you!
Welcome to The Yoga Den—a cozy, calming space where young movers can stretch, breathe, and grow. This playful and gentle introduction to yoga helps children build body awareness, balance, and flexibility while also learning tools for mindfulness, focus, and emotional regulation. Each session blends movement, breathing, storytelling, and relaxation in a way that feels fun, safe, and supportive. Whether they’re striking a strong warrior pose, breathing like a bear, or going on a jungle yoga adventure, students will leave feeling more connected to their bodies and their inner calm. Perfect for busy little bodies and big imaginations—no experience needed, just a yoga mat and a willingness to play!
Stretch, breathe, and move your way through a world of imagination! In Yoga Tails, children explore yoga and mindfulness through playful animal adventures and gentle storytelling. Each week, students journey into a new world — soaring like eagles, curling up like cats, or balancing like frogs — while learning poses, breath-work, and simple relaxation techniques. Through movement, music, and imagination, Yoga Tails helps little yogis build strength, balance, and body awareness — all while discovering calm, confidence, and creativity.
See the Yoga Program Packing List here.
When leading an Explore It! yoga or dance program, it is critical to find joy in every class. It is the job of the Instructor to make space for the participants to co-create the experience as they need or want, allowing them to cultivate a positive connection with the practice of moving their body.
Note that no concept of religion should ever be explored in an Explore It! yoga program and that all poses should be taught and described in English, not in Sanskrit.
Every yoga and/or dance class should contain these 4 main elements:
- Find a connection.
- This is often done at the top of the session. You might ask each participant an engaging question, or encourage them to share something with the group. Whatever it is, make sure there is time for what you are asking for – and allow each participant the chance to feel heard, seen and valued.
- Do something fun!
- This can happen throughout the session, and may be a part of other elements in your class, but should also be something special. Play a game, dance to a favourite song or just find a reason to be silly for a moment. Finding and sharing joy is the most important element of children’s yoga.
- Take time for a “workshop”.
- Teach something. This might be done through a game with younger students or though a mini-workshop with older students; it might be for 3 minutes or for 20; and it might be something simple like learning the Sun Salutations or more advanced like headstand prep or arm balances. A portion of every session should be carved out for learning, so the participants can gain in skill and confidence.
- Create time and space for relaxation.
- Usually done at the end of every session, make sure to save at least 3 – 4 minutes for relaxation. This should be a time when each participant is on their mat, quietly resting on their own with no interaction with their peers. Note however, that the expectation is not for children to rest as adults would at the end of a yoga class — they may need to sit, have their eyes open, fidget or even change positions often – the only expectation should be for quiet and respect for the silence of their peers.
- One of the best ways to encourage children to rest quietly is to play a relaxing song- let students know that when the song is over, the group will come together to thank each other for the practice.
In this program, Instructors get to combine the fun and energy of a dance class with the playfulness and soothing nature of a yoga class. A typical class plan might look something like this:
- Opening connection: ask the group a question, ask them to share their answer through words AND movement that the group can mimic.
- Have some fun: warm up with a round of freeze dance. Instead of eliminating students, ask the one with the best freeze/pose to pick the theme for the next pose and so on.
- Workshop time: learn some choreography to carry over into future weeks, tackle an advanced combo or learn a few new yoga poses – get the group working together to hone their skills and to get everyone engaged.
- Have some fun: play a yoga or dance based game to lift the spirits and drain extra energies.
- Create some calm: end with movement-based story time, a meditation to song or a slow cool-down stretch to some relaxing music. Thank your students for a wonderful class and dismiss!
If you are a dance or yoga teacher, we have no doubt that you have a ton of favourite games and resources you can turn to. Please reach out to Liz any time, for any lesson planning support you might need. As a dancer for many years and a very highly trained and accredited yoga instructor, Liz has no limit of resources to share.
Some yoga game examples that can be used in any active program (ask Liz for the details if you need them!) are:
| Examples of Calm Yoga Games | Examples of Active Yoga Games |
| Asking questions – share something! | “I Went to the Supermarket” Game |
| Read a book and make it interactive. | “Let’s Go On A Trip” Memory Game |
| Name the day! | Yes / No Story Telling |
| Ask: What is your Emotional Weather Forecast? | D is For Dog Pose Party |
| Breath sharing circle | “Mr. Pepper Is Ill” Positivity Game |
| Pass the jingle bells | Tall Stories |
| Quiet time with a song | Object Story Creation / Stuffie Yoga! |
| Create a Human Mandala together | Buddy Walk / Human Zipper / Snake Walk / Ping! |
Yoga Program Packing List
Additional items may be requested by emailing Liz at any time. Please give at least 1 week notice when requesting supplies.
Note that along with a wealth of games and resources, Liz has a ton of supplies such as lightweight scarves, floor dots, mini stuffies and more that can compliment your program. Email to discuss.
| QUANTITY | ITEM | |
| PAPER | 1 folder | white paper |
| 1 folder | construction paper | |
| PENCILS & PENS | 1 bag | pencils |
| 1 bag | pencil crayons | |
| 1 bag | markers | |
| MUSIC SPECIFIC | 1 bag | percussion instruments |
| 1 | bluetooth speaker and attachments | |
| YOGA SPECIFIC | 12 – 20 | yoga mats (these may be available from the school at the discretion of Liz) |
| 2 – 6 | yoga or movement story books (for JK – grade 3 students) |