How to Get Kids to Slow Down in Yoga Poses (Without Constantly Saying “Slow Down”)

If you’ve ever taught kids yoga, you’ve seen it:They fly through poses, bounce from one shape to the next, and barely pause before asking, “What’s next?”

This isn’t misbehavior. It’s biology.

Kids’ nervous systems are naturally fast, curious, and stimulus-driven. Telling them to “take their time” usually doesn’t work because they don’t yet have a felt reason to slow down. Your job isn’t to control their pace — it’s to make staying in the pose engaging enough that slowing down happens naturally.

Here’s what actually works.

1. Give Every Pose a Job

If a pose has nothing to do, kids will rush through it.

Instead of asking them to “hold,” give them a mission:

• “Can you balance so quietly a mouse wouldn’t hear you?”

• “Let’s see if you can stay for 5 slow breaths without wobbling.”

• “Pretend you’re frozen in ice — don’t melt yet.”

Purpose creates focus. Focus slows them down.

2. Use Imagination Instead of Instructions

Kids don’t respond well to abstract cues. They respond to stories.

• Tree Pose: “Your roots are growing deeper into the ground. If you rush, the wind might knock you over.”

• Down Dog: “Your puppy just woke up from a nap and is stretching very slowly.”

• Warrior Pose: “You’re guarding something important — you can’t leave your post yet.”

When the imagination is engaged, the body follows.

3. Breathe Together Out Loud

Silent breathing gives kids nothing to anchor to — so they rush.

Make breathing audible and shared:

• Count breaths together

• Use animal sounds

• “Smell the flower, blow out the candle”

• “Inhale like you’re smelling cookies, exhale like you’re cooling soup”

Breath becomes the built-in timer that naturally regulates pace.

4. Turn Stillness Into a Game

Kids love challenges — especially playful ones.

Try:

• “Who can be the slowest sloth?”

• “Freeze yoga — if you move, you turn into jelly.”

• “Statue pose — can you stay frozen until the music stops?”

Stillness doesn’t have to feel strict. It can feel fun.

5. Ask Them How the Pose Feels in Their Body

This is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools.

While they’re in the pose, ask:

• “What do you feel in your legs?”

• “Is this pose easy, hard, or somewhere in between?”

• “Do you notice your breath right now?”

When kids tune into sensation, they naturally stay longer.You’re teaching body awareness, not just shapes.

This also helps them learn to listen to their bodies instead of rushing past them — a skill that carries far beyond yoga.

6. Model Slow, Intentional Movement Yourself

This one is non-negotiable.

If you move quickly, they will too.If you speak quickly, they’ll speed up.

Slow your transitions. Pause on purpose. Let silence exist for a moment. Kids mirror what they see more than what they’re told.

7. Keep Holds Short (and Meaningful)

Kids don’t need long holds.

Three to five breaths is plenty when the pose has intention.Quality always matters more than duration.

The Bottom Line

Kids don’t rush because they lack focus.They rush because the pose doesn’t yet give them a reason to stay.

When you add:

• Purpose

• Imagination

• Breath

• Body awareness

• Play

Slowing down happens naturally — no nagging required.