Mindful Art & Yoga for Kids
with Dawn S.

At YOPA Yoga, children learn to take charge of their self-development while guided in a safe space to explore, move and be creative. 

In this unique blend of yoga and mindful art, children flow in their imagination through movement, breath and creative expression.

Through intentional and sensory-based art, children are encouraged to slow down and enjoy the process of creative expression. By staying present in each moment rather than focusing on the final product, they discover how their artwork naturally evolves. 

This approach helps children view imperfections not as mistakes, but as opportunities for transformation, as they learn to let go of their preconceived desired outcome. This mindful art experience can be a grounding and self-regulating tool for children as they learn to connect their mind and breath through creation.

Children build physical strength and mobility while moving through imaginative, playful transitions. The goal here is not to perfect yoga poses, but to centre their mind, breath and body during movement to improve body awareness and self-regulation. Activities are designed to support vestibular and proprioceptive development, helping children improve balance, coordination, and spatial awareness. 

Not only do children learn from the physical and creative practices, they develop core values and socio-emotional skills through group interactions. Learning to take responsibility for themselves and others builds self-advocacy, empathy, and social consciousness. Intentionally-designed group activities promote understanding and respect of personal boundaries, communication with respect and conflict resolution. 

Focus & Self-Regulation: Helps children stay present, manage emotions and develop greater attention span.

Calm & Self-Awareness: Encourages inner calm, mindfulness and a better understanding of their own feelings, emotions and thoughts.

Curiosity & Creativity: Explores new experiences with an open mind, even when they don’t know what they will end up with. Allows children to develop ideas in a free, unstructured environment.

Resilience: Develops a growth mindset, seeing problems as challenges.

Respectful & Safe Play: Teaches children how to engage with peers while understanding personal boundaries and practicing respect and empathy.

Ownership of self development: Guides children to take responsibility for their physical development and cultivate healthy posture habits early on.

Coordination & Safety: Develops balance, coordination, spatial awareness and the ability to fall safely, reducing the risk of injury.

❤️ We teach values through the practice - when it is challenging, we acknowledge our limitations and develop growth mindset and resilience by trying again; when performing partner works, we learn about communication, respect and trust; when we feel overwhelmed, we seek support and rest; as we grow stronger, we celebrate our progress and help one other to improve. 

❤️ We set safe and respectful boundaries in a child-led environment. Children’s voices matter and all feelings and emotions are valid. When they feel heard and respected, they learn to do likewise for others.

❤️ We adapt classes to children’s learning abilities and needs. By showing them what’s possible, step-by step, we develop together like a group of friends and cultivate a supportive environment. That’s how we build empathy, peer support and resilience.

A proud mother of a teenage son, Teacher Dawn is on a continuous journey through the evolving phases of parenting. She draws wisdom from her own experiences, educators and parenting experts, yet her biggest learnings come from the children themselves. Through their honesty, openness and vulnerability, she seeks connection and a deeper understanding of their little minds.

Through yoga, Teacher Dawn hopes to plant seeds of positivity in young minds. She sees every child as a unique individual - small in size, yet rich in emotion; dependent on adults, yet capable of great generosity and strength. She believes children are capable of far more than we often allow, and that trusting them builds confidence and a sense of empowerment that lifts them in their growing years.