Yoga is a great exercise routine that combines deep breathing, stretching, mindfulness, and strength-building through a series of poses. There are many different difficulty levels in yoga practice, making it an incredibly accessible activity for children of any age and ability. Plus, yoga provides children (and adults) many physical, mental, and emotional benefits that other exercises can’t quite achieve. Creme de la Creme encourages you to check out these four places that offer yoga classes to children in and around the Ashburn, Virginia, area.

Easy Day Yoga

“Contatinho” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by Festival Contato

Easy Day Yoga is a local studio right in Ashburn that provides classes for every level of yogi, from brand new beginners to experienced practitioners of all ages. You can take classes in a few different schools of yoga and meditation. Plus, taking classes together with your little yogi makes for a unique bonding experience.

If your children have yet to practice yoga, consider taking the slow-paced, gentle yoga class with them so both of you can learn basic poses, breathing techniques, and mindfulness practice. Or, you both could take a Hatha yoga class, which focuses more on breathing, relaxation, and comfortably doing poses using props and modifications as needed. As your child gets better at yoga, you both can take more advanced courses in Vinyasa and Yin.

While this studio doesn’t offer kid-specific classes, Easy Day Yoga is incredibly welcoming to everyone, no matter how young or old. You can choose to take classes at either of the Easy Day Yoga studio locations. Stay close to home and head to 21040 Sycolin Road in Ashburn, or take a quick drive out to Leesburg Market Station at 112 South St. S.E., Third Floor, Suite Y in Leesburg.

Shining Kids Yoga

This locally owned studio specializes in teaching poses, meditation, mindfulness, stress management, and many more principles of yoga to children of all ages. But what makes Shining Kids Yoga special is that they offer before- and after-school yoga programs, in-home and in-school yoga classes, and outdoor yoga lessons.

For preschool-aged children, Shining Kids Yoga offers courses that improve body awareness, focus, relaxation, emotional self-regulation, and overall motor skills. Elementary school-aged kids take fun classes that involve games, stories, music, and yoga practice. Middle and high school-aged yogis have more mature practices that focus on reducing stress, managing thoughts and emotions, promoting positive self-esteem and body image, as well as increasing physical strength and flexibility.

The studio is located in nearby Rockville, Maryland. However, while you wait for in-person classes at the studio to resume, you can contact the studio to find an outdoor lesson or pod class near you.

Samskara Yoga

Samskara Yoga offers yoga classes and workshops to people of all ages and levels of experience. This studio also specializes in yoga for children with special needs, preschoolers, teens, and elementary- and middle-school children. And while this studio typically offers in-person group yoga classes for kids in a variety of age groups, they currently only offer private sessions, which you can do in-studio, over a video call; in-person household group classes are also available by appointment.

Their kids’ classes often combine traditional yoga practice with art, music, and games, and they can last up to 90 minutes for a fun-filled class. You can also catch a class at some local farmers markets and parks.

In addition to yoga, this studio offers virtual and in-person pod Pilates and barre classes. LifeBody Pilates, the in-house Pilates studio at Samskara Yoga, is proud to have students as young as 11 years old practicing, so this studio is incredibly welcoming. Pilates, which shares some principles with yoga, focuses on strengthening and relaxing muscles, so taking these courses and yoga can be a great combination for many elementary school-aged children and teens.

Health Advantage Yoga Center

Health Advantage Yoga Center was founded in 1991, making it one of the oldest yoga studios in the area. Its instructors are experienced yogis with many years of instructing people of all ages and skill levels in the ancient healing practice of yoga. Here, you and your kids can take regular classes or special workshops in advanced practice or specific elements of yoga, like meditation and mindfulness.

At this local studio, you’ll find kids yoga classes for children ages 5 to 11 years old and teen yoga classes for 12- to 18-year-olds. Their kids’ yoga classes incorporate stories, games, and other creative and physical activities to make the class as engaging as possible. Teen yoga classes focus on helping teens improve their mental health and stress management as well as physical strength and flexibility that can be used in a variety of other sports or activities they’re involved in.

You can find Health Advantage Yoga Center at Crossroads of Dulles, 1041 Sterling Road Suite 202 in nearby Herndon. They offer some classes in person, but most kids’ classes are offered through video call.

How To Choose a Yoga Class for Your Child

Here are a few tips you can follow to determine what kind of yoga class to sign your child up for:

• Do a free online video class: Before paying for an in-person or virtual session with a local studio, consider putting on a free kids yoga lesson from YouTube and going through the class with your child. Afterward, ask what they liked and what they didn’t like. Then, try a different video class or take this information to a studio you’re interested in to have them help you select a class your child might like.
• Look for free trial classes: Some studios allow your child to take their first class for free to see if they like it. If they do, you can sign up for more classes.
• Think about your child’s abilities and interests: If your child has a physical or intellectual disability, search for studios or instructors who are trained in yoga that accommodates these conditions and makes yoga accessible and fun for your child. If your child likes high-energy activities, consider signing them up for a class that mixes cardio, games, poses, and mindfulness together. If your kid struggles with stress, anxiety, or other emotional conditions, opt for a class that emphasizes emotion management.

So there you have it, some of the best local yoga studios that offer classes to children of all ages and skill levels. Did we miss any of your favorite studios or gyms with kid-friendly classes? Let Crème de la Crème of Port Potomac know, and we’ll be sure to add it to our list!