Yoga for children in schools as a tool for shaping young lives

One challenge Sheryl faced was impostor syndrome. Despite these doubts, she remained committed to the belief that children could benefit immensely from yoga. While some schools had existing programs or were not ready to embrace yoga, Sheryl refined her approach, focusing on creative and fun activities to engage kids. Her classes include innovative games like “pom-pom races” to teach breath control and “musical statues” to help develop focus.

“I always say to the students, and their teachers and parents that the real connection between the mind and the body is the spine. So a strong spine is what creates confidence in kids. They are able to stand tall physically and mentally.”

Sheryl has seen remarkable transformations in her students, with an increase in flexibility and self-confidence. Teachers and parents have generally responded positively to the introduction of yoga in schools. While some view yoga as too spiritual, Sheryl uses this as an opportunity to discuss its physical benefits and the importance of stretching and breathing for children’s development. Even if not everyone is open to including yoga in the curriculum, these conversations plant the seeds for future acceptance.

Sheryl’s long-term goal for her school yoga program is to involve older students aged 15-18, in assisting her classes. She hopes this participation will inspire a new generation of yoga enthusiasts to carry forward the benefits of mindful movement and emotional wellness.
“I am so grateful to YFG for providing financial support in the early stages of my kids’ yoga vision,” says Sheryl. She now has her own website featuring yoga-related materials for download, with some available for free and others for purchase.

Before Yoga Stars, there was Drama Stars, a co-curricular drama school that Heidi ran in multiple locations on the Northern Beaches. While her experience with Drama Stars and teaching career gave her familiarity with the school environment, her new venture has faced hurdles due to tight budgets and minimal funding in an environment where traditional sports tend to dominate physical education.

“I incorporate as much as I can into my role as a teacher, starting lessons with a breathing exercise after lunch and mindful colouring or meditation. Once, I had a ten-year-old boy who was resistant to these activities. I didn’t push him and let him draw instead. On my last day, he asked for a meditation session and said it was the first time he didn’t fall asleep, and he finally got the full benefit.”

Yoga Stars tailors yoga classes to fit school environments and different age groups, with lessons specifically structured for K-2 and Years 3-6. Drawing from her 20-year career as a primary school teacher, Heidi has carefully written each lesson. Her trained yoga teachers deliver these sessions, blending fast-paced physical activities with calming breathing exercises. Younger students enjoy playful activities, games and social interactions to foster connections, while older students focus on emotional empowerment. Each session includes a warm-up, yoga flow, a “make a difference” activity like gratitude exercises, and concludes with guided meditation.

Heidi has seen significant results in the schools that have adopted her program. Teachers have provided beautifully positive feedback, noting that students are keen and engaged during sessions and look forward to them each week.”While I know it will take time, I want to see yoga enter all schools in Australia as I believe in its potential to benefit children.”

But once they saw how yoga calmed students and improved their focus, they became enthusiastic supporters of the program, inviting her to stay on and leading to ongoing partnerships—some lasting as long as 18 years.

“My mission has always been to impact children’s lives from a really young age and give them the benefits and the tools of yoga. Not just the physical benefits, but the physical, mental and emotional benefits.”

Children do not behave the same way as adults, which is why yoga for kids is completely different. Loraine tailors yoga to fit different age groups by blending fun with meaningful practices that meet kids’ physical, emotional, mental, and social needs. She says the change in students is obvious after just one class—they leave feeling stronger, more relaxed and completely de-stressed, some of them often experiencing mental calm for the first time.

At a boys’ school where Loraine was working, yoga replaced detention with pleasing results. What started as merely an alternative to punishment quickly became a favourite activity, with boys not in detention joining voluntarily. Loraine recalls how one Year 9 student said yoga “emptied his rubbish bin of worries and stress.” The shift from punitive action to mental discipline gave the boys tools to manage their emotions, leading to a lasting positive impact on their behaviour and wellbeing. Loraine has also taught yoga to HSC students struggling with the pressures of this life stage. By the second week, one of the girls sat up at the end of class, a big smile on her face, and said, “After yoga, I’m so happy.”

Loraine’s vision is to bring yoga to as many schools as possible across Australia, and she won’t be doing it alone. Zenergy Yoga will continue to educate aspiring kids’ yoga teachers on working with children and developing the business skills they need to succeed. These teachers will take their passion and knowledge into schools, early childhood centres, workshops, retreats and other settings. Graduates are already teaching throughout the country and the world. Recently, Loraine received messages about one being approached by a special needs school and another landing a role as a wellbeing coordinator, teaching yoga across an entire school. The demand for yoga in schools is undeniable.