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Running your own kids' yoga business can be a rewarding venture, combining your passion for yoga with the opportunity to shape young minds and bodies. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start and grow a successful kids' yoga business, especially if you want to "be your own boss” on National Bosses Day and beyond.

1. Get Certified

Before launching your kids’ yoga business, it's essential to have the proper training:

• Kids Yoga Certification: Enroll in specialized training programs that focus on teaching yoga to children. These programs cover the physical, mental, and emotional needs of kids’ growing bodies, minds and hearts.
• Research Your Audience: Find out what age groups you'll teach (toddlers, elementary-aged kids, teens) and tailor your services accordingly.

2. Choose Your Business Model

• Mobile Yoga Business: Teach in various locations such as schools, community centers, or private homes. This gives you flexibility without needing a dedicated studio space.
• Yoga Studio: Rent a space or work in partnership with existing studios. This can be more expensive but provides a consistent place for clients.
• Online Classes: Offer virtual classes, allowing you to expand your reach beyond your immediate area. You can create pre-recorded courses or hold live sessions via Zoom or other platforms.

3. Marketing Your Kids Yoga Business

• Define Your Mission: Clarify your goals, target audience, and why your business is unique. What do you want kids to gain from your classes—physical strength, mindfulness, fun, or a combination?
• Create a Website and Social Media Presence: Showcase your services, class schedule, and background. Instagram and Facebook are especially good for visual content and community engagement.

4. Manage Your Business Efficiently

• Scheduling and Payments: Use software to manage your bookings, payments, and communication with clients.
• Insurance and Legalities: Make sure to keep your insurance up-to-date and familiarize yourself with local regulations regarding working with children.

5. Balance and Sustainability

• Self-Care: Running your own business, especially one that involves teaching kids, can be demanding. Prioritize your own yoga and mindfulness practices to stay grounded.
• Work-Life Balance: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life, especially if you are offering private classes at homes or online.

With the right training, preparation, and passion, running a kids' yoga business can be an enriching experience that allows you to make a difference in children's lives while being your own boss.

Join the waitlist to become a qualified leader in your area. IYK® Warrior Training accredited by Yoga Alliance is offered once a year in February.

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Indigenous Peoples' Day, celebrated on the second Monday in October, offers a meaningful opportunity to honor and acknowledge the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples. When considering how kids' yoga can be integrated into the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day, several connections can be made:

1. Connect with Nature

Yoga often emphasizes the connection between the body, mind, and the environment. Many Indigenous cultures have a profound relationship with nature, viewing the earth as a living entity. Incorporating nature-focused yoga poses (like tree pose, mountain pose, and animal-themed poses) can help kids reflect on the importance of nature and the environment, which is central to many Indigenous belief systems.

2. Mindfulness and Respect

One of the primary goals of kids' yoga is to instill mindfulness, respect for oneself, and respect for others. On Indigenous Peoples' Day, this mindfulness can be expanded to include respect for Indigenous cultures, traditions, and history. Coaches and educators can use yoga sessions to introduce topics like gratitude, respect for diversity, and learning from different cultures.

3. Land Acknowledgment and Gratitude Practice

Yoga encourages a practice of gratitude, and Indigenous Peoples' Day provides an opportunity to teach children about land acknowledgment—recognizing and respecting the Indigenous peoples who lived on the land before colonization. Coaches can integrate moments of gratitude into yoga practice by acknowledging the traditional lands they are practicing on, fostering awareness and appreciation in kids.

4. Celebrate Community and Unity

Indigenous Peoples' Day is also a time to celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous communities. Yoga can be practiced as a collective activity, emphasizing the idea of community, unity, and mutual support, which mirrors many Indigenous community values.

5. Cultural Sensitivity and Inclusivity

It's important for coaches and educators to approach any integration of Indigenous themes into yoga with cultural sensitivity. Partnering with local Indigenous educators or elders can help ensure that the teachings and practices are respectful and accurate, avoiding appropriation and instead focusing on true cultural appreciation.

By integrating kids' yoga with the themes of Indigenous Peoples' Day, coaches and educators can create a space for learning, reflection, and appreciation, helping children connect not only with their bodies but also with the cultural history and values of Indigenous communities.

Send the kids to IYK® Camp on Monday, October 14th, to learn yoga and about the land in the Presidio.

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It’s National Coaches Day on October 6th. Research shows coaches have significant impact (positive or negative) on a child’s physical and mental health. There are approximately 45 million youth in sports (aged 5-18), that’s why we partner with Positive Coaching Alliance.

Youth coaches are increasingly getting kids' yoga certified for several reasons, as they recognize the physical, mental, and emotional benefits yoga provides to young athletes. Here's why this trend is growing:

1. Improved Focus and Concentration

Yoga teaches mindfulness and concentration, helping young athletes stay focused both in practice and during competition. Coaches see the value in improving athletes' mental clarity and concentration, which can enhance their performance in sports.

2. Injury Prevention

Yoga emphasizes flexibility, balance, and strength, which are essential for preventing injuries. Coaches are adopting yoga as part of their training routines to help kids build body awareness and develop a strong foundation that reduces the likelihood of common sports injuries like sprains and strains.

3. Stress Reduction and Emotional Regulation

The competitive nature of youth sports can sometimes lead to stress and anxiety. Yoga includes breathing techniques and relaxation practices that help kids manage stress, improve emotional regulation, and maintain a positive mindset. Coaches find this especially helpful in teaching kids to stay calm under pressure.

4. Improved Flexibility and Mobility

Yoga enhances flexibility, which is key for all sports. Coaches who incorporate yoga into their training programs help young athletes increase their range of motion, making them more agile and effective in their sport.

5. Building Resilience and Discipline

Yoga fosters mental resilience, teaching kids to persist through challenges and maintain discipline. This is important not just for their athletic development but also for their overall personal growth. Coaches find that the values instilled through yoga—such as patience, perseverance, and discipline—are essential life skills that benefit athletes on and off the field.

6. Inclusivity and Accessibility

Yoga is a non-competitive activity that promotes inclusivity, making it suitable for kids of all athletic abilities. Youth coaches appreciate that it can be integrated into training programs regardless of the sport and is accessible to everyone, allowing all team members to participate and benefit.

7. Holistic Development

Yoga aligns with the trend toward a more holistic approach to youth sports. Coaches are increasingly focused on developing the whole athlete—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Yoga supports this comprehensive development, providing tools to enhance both athletic performance and personal well-being.

Given these advantages, it's no surprise that more youth coaches are seeking yoga certifications to incorporate its benefits into their programs. Get the 5 keys to level up performance for youth athletes with our FREE Coaching Guide here.