Empowering Educators, Supporting Teens: The Transformative Power of Yoga in Schools
Adolescents today are navigating a world more complex and overwhelming than ever before. Rising mental health challenges, academic pressure, and social stressors are taking a toll on their well-being—and educators are feeling that weight too.
What if there was a proven, accessible way to help teens build resilience, regulate emotions, and reconnect with themselves—all while supporting educators in their own mental and emotional health?
Welcome to Kripalu Yoga in Schools (KYIS)—a pioneering program that empowers educators, counselors, and youth workers with trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate yoga and mindfulness tools for the classroom and beyond.
Why Yoga? Why Now?
Backed by research from Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, KYIS is more than a physical practice—it’s a holistic approach that helps students:
- Build stress resilience through breath, movement, and mindful presence
- Develop self-awareness and self-acceptance
- Learn to self-regulate emotions and manage anxiety
- Access tools to calm the mind before a test, center themselves after conflict, and ground into their bodies during chaotic school days
Kate, a teacher at Frontier Regional School, shares:
“Kripalu Yoga in Schools delivers a transformative experience that goes way beyond physical fitness, building crucial social and emotional skills that students use every day both in and out of school. My students tell me that they’ve learned how to manage stress, stay present, and cope with emotions more effectively. As a teacher, it is incredibly gratifying to witness these transformations.”
Real Students, Real Change
The impact is real—and measurable. Students who have practiced KYIS techniques report feeling calmer, more focused, and better equipped to handle the pressures of school and life.
Current students benefiting from the curriculum share:
“I was stressing out because I didn’t study as much as I normally do, but I used the breath, and I stayed calm throughout the test. I did better than I thought I would.”
“In the morning at home, I’ve been using cat-cow, and it’s helped relieve the tension in my body. Mondays are more bearable now—I do child’s pose and pigeon.”
“Sometimes I stretch my neck to help with tech neck and my gaming posture.”
These simple yet profound practices are changing lives. From managing test anxiety to addressing the physical toll of digital life, yoga is becoming a trusted ally for students.
Support for Educators, Too
Educators are often the first to notice when a student is struggling—and they’re often struggling themselves. The KYIS program isn’t just for teens; it’s also designed to support the well-being of those who serve them.
Participants in the training gain:
- Practical tools for managing classroom stress
- Strategies to create a more mindful, compassionate learning environment
- Techniques to deepen connection with students—while staying grounded themselves
Alison, a middle school teacher in Red Hook, NY, reflects:
“Teaching yoga in schools has been an incredibly transformative experience, both for my students and myself. I’ve watched students become more focused, self-aware, and resilient. And for me, it’s been a source of deep personal growth and connection. Yoga has strengthened our school community and given all of us tools to approach life with more calm, clarity, and grace.”
Be the Change This Generation Needs
This July, join a growing community of inspired educators, counselors, and changemakers who are reimagining education as a space of healing, empowerment, and self-discovery.
Whether you’re new to yoga or an experienced practitioner, Kripalu Yoga in Schools offers a supportive, immersive training that equips you with the skills to bring mindful movement and self-regulation practices to the young people who need them most.
Together, we can create classrooms where students feel seen, supported, and capable of navigating life’s challenges with confidence and compassion.
Learn more and register today. Your students will thank you.
Kacey Wilson, a licensed Clinical Psychologist, serves as the Interim Director of Curriculum and Faculty Development.
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