We often hear from parents and teachers that yoga has changed their classrooms — helping kids settle, connect, and manage big emotions. It’s joyful, yes. But it’s also powerful!
Now, thanks to new research from Northumbria University published in the Early Childhood Education Journal, we have even more evidence that yoga and mindfulness really do make a meaningful difference in children’s lives — especially in the early years of school.
Let’s explore what this study discovered in more detail…
If you’d like to download a copy of the papers mentioned in this blog, you can do using the links below!
A Closer Look at the Research 🔍
The study — titled “Teacher-Led Yoga/Mindfulness in the Key Stage 1 Classroom” — was led by a team of researchers from Northumbria University looking to understand how and why educators are bringing yoga and mindfulness into classrooms across North-East England.
They surveyed 133 teachers from 101 mainstream state schools, all working with children aged 5 to 7 (Key Stage 1 in the UK).
Many of these schools are in areas of high socio-economic deprivation, which makes the findings even more impactful — because tools like yoga and mindfulness can be especially powerful in helping children regulate emotions, focus, and build resilience when they may be facing stressors at home or in their communities.
Why Are Teachers Using Yoga and Mindfulness? 🧘
According to the survey, the most common reasons teachers gave for using these practices were:
- To help children calm down and relax – cited by 88% of teachers
- To support emotional regulation and self-awareness – cited by 62%
- To support focus and engagement during the school day
- To create a calm classroom environment that supports learning
In other words, yoga and mindfulness are no longer seen as just a fun “add-on” — they’re becoming key tools for supporting children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral development.
What Are the Benefits Teachers Are Seeing? 🎯
Nearly two-thirds of all educators rated yoga and mindfulness as either “very useful” or “extremely useful” for their students.
And this isn’t just anecdotal. Teachers in the study described real, observable changes in behavior and wellbeing, such as:
- Children becoming more able to settle after break times
- Improved classroom transitions
- More children recognising and naming their feelings
- A noticeable increase in calm and focus before academic lessons
- Fewer behavior outbursts or emotional dysregulation
These are big wins! And, they’re the exact outcomes that our episodes are designed to support.
Confidence, Experience, and Access Make a Difference 💡
Another interesting finding: teachers with more experience (3+ years) were significantly more likely to use yoga and mindfulness in diverse ways. They also listed more reasons for using it — suggesting that as confidence and exposure grow, so does creativity in implementation!
Similarly, teachers who were aware of existing research on yoga’s benefits tended to use it more frequently and with more intention. This tells us something vital:
The more supported and informed teachers feel, the more likely they are to bring these powerful tools into the classroom.
That’s why training, community, and access to easy-to-use resources is so crucial.
Why This Research Matters (Now More Than Ever) 🧠
Let’s be honest — the last few years haven’t been easy for kids. The pandemic disrupted routines, reduced social interactions, and placed enormous stress on families and schools. Many educators are still working to rebuild not just academic learning, but a sense of emotional safety and resilience in the classroom.
This study reinforces what we’ve always believed at Cosmic Kids: movement and mindfulness aren’t luxuries — they’re essential!
Whether it’s a five-minute breathing break or a full yoga adventure, these practices give kids:
- Tools to manage big feelings
- Confidence in their own bodies
- A sense of joy and imagination
- A break from overstimulation and stress
- Emotional vocabulary and self-regulation skills they’ll use for life!
What This Means for Teachers, Parents, and Schools ✨
If you’re a teacher wondering whether you can (or should) start yoga in your classroom — the answer is YES! And you don’t need to be a yoga expert or super flexible.
What you do need is:
- An intention to help kids feel better in their bodies and minds
- A few simple tools or videos to follow (like ours!)
- A safe space (even a carpeted corner can do!)
And, if you want to do more than just follow-along on-screen, then that’s why we created our Getting Started in Kids Yoga course — to help anyone (teachers, parents, carers, even curious beginners) feel confident guiding kids through safe, engaging, age-appropriate yoga and mindfulness.
So, if becoming a professional / certified kids yoga teacher is of interest, then definitely take a look at the course!
A reminder there’s good screen time to be had out there! 📣
One of the best parts about this study is how it helps shift the narrative — especially for policymakers, educators, and families who might still see digital content as purely passive entertainment.
This kind of research gives us the chance to collaborate with platforms, schools, and even governments to highlight the value of purposeful screen time — where kids are moving, breathing, learning, and growing.
Final Thought… 💬
Yoga and mindfulness aren’t magic — but as practices, they can do something magical. They meet kids where they are, offer a way to regulate and refocus, and create meaningful moments in the middle of busy days.
As this new research shows, teachers are embracing these tools — and seeing the difference they make. We’re honoured to be part of that movement and excited to keep supporting teachers, parents, and kids around the world.
Thank you for being part of the Cosmic Kids family 💜
Namaste!
