10 Classroom Yoga Poses That Work (Even Without a Mat)

More calm, more focus – without having to prepare

Monday morning, 10:15 a.m. Your class has just returned from recess. Jackets are still half open, voices are at break-time volume, and focus… is nowhere to be found.

You wonder: "How can I get them back on track without shouting or waiting for everyone to calm down on their own?"

Because you have 26 different brains in front of you. Some overstimulated, others understimulated. And you want to start with maths. Or spelling. Or simply breathing.

What if you could bring calm, focus, and resilience with just one exercise? No mats. No preparation. Just right there, on or next to their chairs.

Welcome to the world of yoga in the classroom.

Why I developed these exercises

Hey, I'm Liesbeth 👋 I'm an occupational therapist, yoga teacher, special education teacher, and mother of two daughters.

After 14 years in education, I saw one thing keep coming up: children need more than just schoolwork. They need something to hold onto. Movement. Body awareness. Tools to deal with their emotions and energy.

I saw the need for breaks that do more than just get them moving. Exercises that teach children to feel what they need – inside and out. Yoga taught me to reconnect with myself, and I want that for every child.

That's why I started developing yoga breaks, fully tailored to the classroom context. No mats, no preparation, but with an impact. And yes – I illustrated them myself. Driven by my mission: to help children grow into resilient, confident people who dare to stand up for themselves.

Benefits of yoga in the classroom

Yoga in the classroom is often seen as 'something calm to do in between'. But it is so much more than that.

• It teaches children to feel what is happening in their bodies.
• It builds their confidence and resilience.
• And it makes the transition between lessons smoother and easier.

A child who learns to feel their breath also learns to recognize their limits. And that not only brings calm to their mind, but also leads to less frustration, better concentration, and more connection in the classroom.

Free download: breathing exercise for children in the classroom

Want to see if this is right for your class? Start with an exercise that makes an impact after just one try: the Hand Breath.

🖐 Let your students follow their hand with their breath – finger by finger.
💨 Breathe in as the hand goes up, breathe out as it goes down.
🧠 So simple, yet so powerful for calm, focus, and self-regulation.

👉 Download the day 1 exercise sheet here for free
You'll immediately see the style, approach, and simplicity of this yoga bundle – and your students? They'll be asking for it themselves soon enough ;)

Yoga exercises in the classroom: discover the 10-day bundle

It started in a classroom with 17 children. They had just returned from recess, full of energy. One student had been in a fight, another was fidgeting in their chair. I could feel the tension and thought: let's take a breath.

I had them join in with the hand breath. First one finger, then another. And suddenly… silence. Attention. A soft smile here and there. Then we could start the lesson, together.

Those moments inspired the idea for this 10-day bundle.

Through my psychomotor training, I learned how movement and body awareness support school development. Think of balance, lateralization, coordination, concentration… It all goes together.

So yoga is not just a calm moment – it also boosts learning development. By moving and feeling consciously, children build their confidence and their brain connections.
One exercise every day, perfectly tailored to the rhythm of your class.

📌 No preparation needed – everything is ready.
📌 On or next to the chair – so no hassle with mats.
📌 Just 5 to 10 minutes a day.
📌 More than just calm – also focus, energy, and connection.

Discover the 10 exercises here:

1. Hand Breath – for calm and self-regulation. 
2. Tree Pose – for focus and balance. 
3. Rock Your Baby – for self-care and soothing. 
4. Star Pose – for strength and confidence. 
5. Calm in Your Mind (Flow) – for mental clarity. 
6. The Warrior – for inner courage. The Woodcutter – to let go of tension. 
7. Cat– for flexibility and breathing space. 
8. Confidence & Strength (Flow) – for an inner boost. 
9. Energy Boost (Flow) – for a fresh start

Each exercise comes with an illustration, clear instructions, and a matching affirmation card, die, and little booklet. 
You also get a reflection sheet that helps you as a teacher consciously evaluate what worked – and what could be even better.

Ideal times for yoga exercises in the classroom

• Just after recess (to land again)
• Before a test (to find focus)
• After a conflict or tension in the classroom
• When energy dips
• As a mini-lesson break to reconnect

Start yoga in your classroom today

With the ready-made yoga bundle for the classroom, you have everything you need:

• Well-developed exercises for each day
• Affirmation cards
• Extra reflection sheet for yourself
• 10 days full of calm, connection, and fun

👉 Order now and start yoga in your classroom today

And you?

Have you ever done yoga with your class? What worked well? What did you find challenging?
Share it in the comments – that's how we learn from each other.

Or do you have questions about how to get started?
Feel free to send me a message. 📬