Beginner’s Guide to Family Yoga

What is Family Yoga?

Family yoga is a practice that goes beyond individual practice, it’s all about practicing together. This could be one to one time between an adult and a child, it could be siblings practicing together, or the whole family. Family yoga isn’t limited to just parents either, it’s a chance for grandparents, aunties, uncles, childminders and caregivers to practice together.

I can remember onetime leading a family yoga class that everyone in the community was invited to (donation based for a charity or free if they chose) and most weeks was a standard adult yoga class so many showed up expecting that. What I loved is they stayed! They stayed and joined in, letting their inner child out as we made carwash tunnels, and blew bubbles and played through a fun adventure. This really felt like community, connection, and just really being together.

In a family yoga session, you can expect a vibrant blend of partner poses open communication, deep connection, playful exploration, mindful movement, and intentional breathwork.

Partner poses foster a sense of togetherness, as family members support and balance each other. The practice of moving and breathing together not only strengthens physical bonds but also enhances communication within the family unit. This shared experience encourages open dialogue beyond words, creating a space for everyone to express themselves and connect on a deeper level.

Playfulness is a cornerstone of family yoga, introducing creative elements that make the session enjoyable for all ages. Movement becomes a form of expression, allowing each family member to explore their own unique way of connecting with the practice.

Breathwork, a fundamental aspect of yoga, takes centre stage in family sessions. Guided breathing exercises promote relaxation and mindfulness, offering a pause from ‘busy’.

In essence, family yoga is a holistic experience that nurtures not just physical well-being but also emotional connection, creating a space for the whole family to just be.

Why Family Yoga Matters for Mindful Parents

I don’t know about you but for me, some days just feel so busy, rushed even. Balancing work, school, homework, chores, housework, cooking etc, it’s so much. Then if you get a moment to yourself it’s a choice between catching up on jobs that need doing or getting in some much needed self-care.

Family Yoga offers a pause. A pause from to-do lists and demands. Time together to connect and actively look after your well-being together. These moments are precious but there is also science behind it.

When family members engage in partner poses together, the experience release feel-good hormones, scientifically proven to elevate mood and strengthen emotional bonds. The oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” is released during these shared moments, fostering a sense of trust, empathy, and connection.

The practice of yoga together, has a profound impact on the nervous system. As family members synchronize their movements and breath, the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body’s “rest and digest” response, takes centre stage. This induces a state of calm and relaxation, countering the overstimulation and stress prevalent in our daily lives.

Scientifically, this time together not only reduces cortisol levels, the primary stress hormone, but also enhances overall mental and emotional resilience. Regular engagement in partner poses as a family becomes a proactive approach to caring for mental health in the face of life’s challenges.

Family yoga offers more than just a physical practice – it’s a scientifically-backed prescription for mindful connection, fostering emotional well-being in a world that often moves too quickly. It’s an invitation to slow down, breathe together, and create calm amid the chaos.

Creating a Welcoming Space at Home to Start your Family Yoga Journey

If you are feeling inspired to start your Family Yoga journey together, or to start getting more consistent in your practice then here are a few tips to help get you started.

What does it mean to create a welcoming space?

Creating a welcoming space means a space where children’s ideas are celebrated. Where they can co-create alongside us and even take the lead. This space is all about letting children be themselves, to empower them, to listen to them and really focus on connection – not on perfection (such as trying to correct every pose.) This space is a one where we are present with them, not working away on our laptops (as I am now) or scrolling on our phones. There is a time for this – but family yoga is not that time. Family Yoga is a time to get rid of the distractions and let them have your full, positive attention.

Starting your practice

If your child is completely new to yoga, this may just be a new yoga game you ask if they want to play with you, doing a fun challenge like my one minute tree pose challenge, or bedtime breathing practice. If they are used to seeing you roll out your yoga mat, maybe it starts with them getting their very own mat and inviting them to try a partner pose you saw, or showing them some and asking them if there are any they would like to try. It could be that you go to a family yoga class together and get some inspiration!

I have my Family Yoga Game Night membership if you need more support on what to practice and how, this has monthly activity packs, live support, plus bonuses like recorded family yoga classes and guided meditations. The main thing is to have fun and explore this amazing practice together, in a way that suits your family’s unique needs.

4 things to know if you want to start a family yoga practice together

Still got questions about family yoga? Ask me below!

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   […] terms of yoga it all comes down to the Kosha System. This is 5 layers of our being that…

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   […] emotions feel overwhelming, simple breathwork—like extending my exhales or practicing Bee Breath (Bhramari)—helps shift my nervous system from fight-or-flight…

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   […] To learn more about the Koshas check out this previous post: What are the Koshas? Understanding these 5 layers…