Children’s Yoga Certification

Become a Youth Yoga Expert 

Graduate with the knowledge and skills to fluently teach yoga to kids ages 18 months-18 years. Study all the following topics with a trauma-sensitive, youth-specific lens:

• Developmental Milestones
• Asana, Partner Poses & Games
• Pranayama (Breathwork)
• Mantras
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• History of Yoga
• 8-Limbed Philosophy
• Cultural Competency and Inclusion
• Behavior Management and Self Regulation

Certificate Requirements

To earn the USD professional development certificate in Children’s Yoga, students are required to successfully complete the 8-unit course from Youth Alliance Yoga.

Enroll in the 8-unit section and earn graduate level extension credits. (Section 002 with 7.5 units is not eligible for a certificate.)

Online/In-Class Learning Information

Online Self-Paced

Our online self-paced courses are similar to online fixed-date courses, but are designed to give you a six-month period from time of enrollment to complete all assignments. Your instructor will provide feedback via written responses on your assignments and exams. Grades are based on completed projects, assignments and exams.

How is the self-paced course structured? Like fixed-date courses, online self-paced courses are asynchronous meaning that you can work on your assignments anytime; the difference being there are no assigned due dates in self-paced courses. The content is divided into learning modules. Each module will cover one or more topics. Within each of the learning modules, you can expect the following components:

• Module introduction that outlines what you can expect to learn in the module.
• Required readings (textbook, articles, journals, websites, etc.) and presentations (audio and/or video).
• Assignments (which may include: written assignments, quizzes, blogs, etc.) based on the readings and presentations.
• Module conclusion to review the topics and what you should have learned.
• Typically, there is a final project, paper, or exam due in the last module that culminates all of the topics covered in each of the learning modules. You’ll find that the design of the learning modules has a rhythm to help you manage your time in the course.

Curriculum

• The Origins, history, and Philosophy of Yoga
• Yoga and Cultural Appropriation
• Trauma-Conscious Yoga for Kids
• Yoga for Early Childhood (ages 2-4 years)
• Yoga for Middle Childhood (ages 5-11)
• Yoga for Adolescence (ages 12-18)
• Pranayama
• Asana: Foundational Poses and Sun Salutation A
• Asana: Balance and Power Poses
• Asana: Inversions, Bends and Twists
• Asana: Sequencing
• Behavior Management
• Mantras and Chanting
• Meditation
• Yoga for Children with Special Needs
• Anatomy and Physiology: Physical and Energetic
• The Law, Business and Ethics of Children’s Yoga
• Cultural Competency and Inclusion
• Engaging with Families
• Career Coaching

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Benefits

The benefits of earning your certificate through the USD Children’s Yoga program include gaining the skills necessary to bring yoga into the TK-12 setting, and settings for early childhood education. This program focuses on having a trauma-sensitive lens.

• Creates self-regulation for students and youth
• Incorporates movement for young people
• Assists in how to speak with parents
• Provides details on building a business

Instructors

Professional development courses offered by the University of San Diego’s Division of Professional & Continuing Education are taught by faculty that possess a depth and breadth of academic and real-world professional experience.

Frequently Asked Questions