Empowering Yoga for Pre-Teens & Teens: Build Calm, Focus, and Confidence

Why I Created These Lessons

As a high school special education teacher for over 20 years, I worked with students of all abilities, backgrounds, and learning styles. Despite their differences, I noticed one powerful common thread: almost every student experienced stress. Many also struggled with anxiety.

Stress is Everywhere

At first, I believed this might be unique to kids in high-pressure schools around Chicago. However, after moving to rural Ohio and working in small-town classrooms, I saw the same thing. No matter the location, stress was a constant. In today’s world, students face academic pressure, social challenges, and nonstop stimulation. As a result, they carry emotional weight that often goes unnoticed.

How Yoga Can Help

That’s why I believe Yoga can help.

Yoga allows students to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves. Although it isn’t for everyone, it creates space for stillness in lives that often feel overwhelming. It teaches presence instead of perfection.

Over time, I’ve seen how even a few minutes of mindful movement can shift a student’s energy, mood, and mindset. For instance, a simple breathing exercise can bring calm to a chaotic day. When practiced consistently, these small pauses become powerful tools for managing stress and building self-trust.

For that reason, I created this six-part series of beginner-friendly yoga lessons. Each one is designed to be approachable, encouraging, and age-appropriate. Through breathwork, gentle movement, and reflection, students begin building emotional awareness and inner strength.

Organizations like Challenge to Change are doing important work in this space. Hopefully, these lessons can contribute to that mission. If they help even one student feel more grounded and confident, then this work is already worth it.

Appreciate This Work?

Your support helps keep it going!

“Kids everywhere are stressed. Yoga gives them a moment to pause, breathe, and reconnect.” -Lisa