SEN yoga

Yoga for pupils with SEN

Every child deserves to move, breathe and grow.

sen yoga cards laid out

We run calm, structured yoga for small groups of pupils with additional needs, in special schools, in SEN units and resource bases, and with small groups taken out of a mainstream class.

Happy Kids Yoga picture cards laid out on the mat
What a session looks like

Twenty minutes, in a small group

The same shape every week: a short flow, poses with picture cards, breathing, and a rest at the end.

Sameness is the point. Pupils know what’s coming, and that’s what lets them settle.

We use picture cards throughout, so pupils can follow pictures rather than spoken instructions, and choice cards so a pupil can point or reach instead of having to find the words. A look, a reach or a sound all count as joining in.

A member of your staff stays in the room, and we follow their lead on every pupil.

Who it's for

Special schools, units, small groups and colleges

Special schools

Small groups, the same teacher every week, and a session shaped around your pupils.

SEN units and resource bases

In mainstream schools, for the pupils who need a calmer, more structured session.

Small groups within a class

A handful of pupils taken out of a mainstream class for twenty minutes.

SEN colleges and post 16

The same approach with a more grown up tone and a longer relaxation.

We work with pupils from 3 to 24. SEN is about need, not age. A session that works with a reception group often works just as well with a college group, with a more grown up tone and a longer relaxation.

What we bring, what you provide

We bring the kit

We bring mats, picture cards, choice cards, scarves, bean bags and a breathing ball.

You provide a room with floor space, or chairs if that suits the group better, and a member of staff in the room.

sen choice cards stack
How we work safely

Safe, every session

Staff in the room

A member of school staff stays in the room for the whole session.

No hands on adjustments

We guide with words, pictures and our own movement, never by touch.

No photos or videos

We never photograph or film pupils.

Your lead on every pupil

We follow your safeguarding policy and your staff’s lead on individual pupils.

Checked before we start

A risk assessment and venue checklist are completed before the first session.

Covered and checked

Every teacher holds an enhanced DBS and £5m public liability insurance.

Happy Kids Yoga franchisee with the orange kit backpack
Our training

Trained for additional needs

Every Happy Kids Yoga teacher is trained to work with children with additional needs as part of their children’s yoga qualification. On top of that, we have written our own SEN training, from real sessions in special schools, and reviewed before we taught it by a SENCO of twelve years, a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist.

We’re not therapists and we don’t claim to be. We’re yoga teachers, trained to work well alongside the staff who know your pupils.

Starting

Start with a free taster

A thirty minute visit and a twenty minute session with one group, so you can see how your pupils respond before you decide anything. Tell us about your school and we’ll put you in touch with your nearest teacher.

Jen Hoe, founder of Happy Kids Yoga