5 Group Yoga Poses for Kids to Build Teamwork and Connection
Looking for group yoga poses? Explore 5 fun and easy group yoga poses for kids that build teamwork, connection, cooperation, balance, and focus in classrooms, yoga classes, and at home.
Group yoga poses can be a wonderful way to help children connect, communicate, and move together in a shared experience.
Unlike individual yoga poses, group yoga encourages children to think about the people around them. They learn to notice where their bodies are in space, work together toward a common goal, practice gentle touch, and communicate with their peers. Along the way, they build balance, coordination, cooperation, and trust.
Over the years, we’ve heard from many members of the Kids Yoga Stories community that group yoga poses can be especially helpful during certain times of the school year. The beginning of the year is a natural time to focus on connection and getting to know one another. Before school holidays or breaks, group yoga can help channel excited energy in a positive way. Toward the end of the school year, these poses can offer a fun opportunity to celebrate the relationships that have developed within the group. Sometimes children simply need something a little different to shift the energy, refocus attention, and bring everyone together through movement.
At the same time, group yoga is not always the right fit for every group. During a recent conversation with Pam, a middle school wellness teacher, she shared that she is thoughtful about when and how she introduces group yoga poses because some students feel uncomfortable with close proximity or physical contact. Others may have sensory sensitivities, social concerns, or trauma backgrounds that make these activities challenging. As the yoga educator, you’ll know your students best and can decide if, when, and how to introduce group yoga poses.
You don’t need to teach all of these team yoga poses at once. In fact, many educators find success by introducing one posture at a time. Over time, you may discover that a single pose grows into a favorite activity or even a full group yoga sequence.
One of our favorite ways to introduce group yoga is by offering children a choice. Display a few group yoga cards and invite the children to choose which pose they’d like to practice. Giving children ownership of the experience often leads to greater engagement and enthusiasm.
One of our KYS customers, Lilach, shared how she uses the cards with her students:
“I teach kids and youth yoga classes at schools and found the kids yoga cards very helpful as a visual resource. Each pose has a picture and an explanation of how to teach the group pose, and I also use Velcro dots and place them on a white board and the children can choose which pose to practice. The cards and service are wonderful, high quality and professional. Highly recommended for classroom or at home!”
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5 Fun and Easy Group Yoga Poses for Kids
Here are five group yoga poses to try with your children:
1. Group Chair Pose
Chair Pose in a group is a wonderful exercise in teamwork. Everyone needs to work together, communicate, and trust one another for the pose to work. Children quickly discover that success comes from moving slowly and supporting each other.
How to Practice Group Chair Pose: Create a circle by holding hands, and then walk into the circle until your shoulders are touching the people beside you. Then everyone turn to the right at the same time. Step into the middle of the circle even closer so that your circle is tight again. Then come to Mountain Pose with your feet hip-width apart. Reach out and place your hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you. Bend your knees, keeping a straight spine. Sit down into an imaginary chair and lean back, relying on the support of the person behind you. Sit as deeply as feels comfortable. Everyone come out of the pose at the same time.
2. Group Crescent Lunge
Crescent Lunge as a team encourages balance, focus, and cooperation. The support of the group can help children feel more stable while also reminding them to stay aware of the people around them.
How to Practice Group Crescent Lunge: Stand closely together in a circle, facing inward. Step in closely so that you can lift your arms and place them on the shoulders of the people on either side of you. Once everyone is comfortable and ready, step your right foot back into a lunge with your left foot directly over your left knee and a straight back leg. Open your chest, look up, and take a few deep breaths. Switch sides and repeat the steps, all while still holding the shoulders of the people next to you.
3. Group Eagle Pose
Balancing poses become even more fun when practiced together. Eagle Pose in a group encourages concentration and patience while giving children the confidence that comes from practicing alongside their peers.
How to Practice Group Eagle Pose: Stand tall next to each other, making a circle. Then step in closer to the center of the circle until you can touch shoulders with the people on either side of you. Shift to standing on your left leg. Wrap your right leg around your standing leg and bend your knees slightly. Switch sides and repeat the steps.
4. Group Seated Forward Bend
This team yoga pose offers an opportunity to slow down, stretch, and connect. Children often enjoy reaching toward the center of the circle and noticing how everyone contributes to creating the shape together.
How to Practice Group Seated Forward Bend: Come to sitting on your buttocks in an L position with your legs straight out in front of you, facing each other into the circle, with your feet touching. Bend your torso forward while keeping your spine straight. Reach forward to see if you can touch each other’s hands in the middle of the circle. Take a few moments here and then come out of the pose together.
5. Group Easy Pose
Sometimes the simplest group poses create the strongest sense of connection. Easy Pose in a circle is a beautiful way to begin or end a yoga class. Sitting quietly together helps children slow down, notice their breathing, and experience a sense of belonging within the group.
How to Practice Group Easy Pose: Come to sitting in a comfortable cross-legged position in a circle. Wiggle forward so that you can touch shoulders with the people on either side of you. Take a few deep breaths together. Close your eyes, lift your chest, and feel the rise and fall of your breath together as a group.
Tips for Teaching Group Yoga Poses
The goal of group yoga is not to create perfect shapes. The real magic happens through the process of working together.
Before introducing group yoga, take time to explain what the activity will look and feel like. Encourage children to communicate if they need more space or if a posture feels uncomfortable. Always respect individual preferences around touch and participation and offer alternatives when needed.
It can also be helpful to start with one group pose rather than an entire group yoga lesson. As children become more comfortable with the experience, you can gradually introduce additional poses.
Most importantly, keep the focus on connection, communication, and fun rather than perfect alignment.
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