Kids need to experience Yoga before leaving high school, says pro

As schools nationwide continue to emphasize holistic education, one emerging trend is incorporating yoga into physical education (PE) curricula.

A holistic approach to education, emphasizes not only academic excellence but also the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of students, so the integration of yoga into physical education encourages mindfulness in the daily school routine.

Advocates argue that introducing yoga to students before they leave high school can provide long-term physical, mental, and emotional benefits.

Tom Horner, a licensed physical education teacher who is a Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator for a school district, is among those championing this approach.

"I think high school kids need to experience yoga before leaving high school," said Horner, recalling his initial reluctance to try yoga during his college years at Winona State University.

"I remember the day in college when friends invited me to a yoga class," said Horner. "I felt anxious—wondering if I’d be the only guy, what to wear, and whether prior knowledge was necessary."

Despite his hesitation, that first experience left a lasting impression, shaping his belief in introducing yoga at an earlier stage.

“Chances are, if you haven’t experienced yoga before, you won’t feel comfortable just jumping into a class filled with what seem to be experts,” said Horner. “That’s why I feel it’s essential to expose kids to yoga before they leave high school.”

Horner implemented a yoga unit as part of the physical education curriculum at Lincoln High School. Initially driven by logistical constraints—limited space and bad weather—the unit evolved into an engaging way to teach students skills they could use for a lifetime.

The program includes interactive group projects, such as creating yoga instructional videos and live presentations. Horner incorporates gamification, including a "Yoga Draft" where students select poses in an NFL-themed event to keep participation exciting.

Most yoga studios offer beginner-level classes specifically designed for people with no prior experience. That is the practice at Tranquility Yoga, where an instructor will guide you through basic poses and explain proper alignment.

Tranquility Yoga, at 17A Reaville Avenue, Flemington, NJ, offers a range of classes designed to meet practitioners at all levels. With a focus on mindfulness, strength, and relaxation, the studio provides a serene environment to explore various yoga disciplines.

With a growing lineup of classes, Tranquility Yoga is hoping to share the benefits of yoga for high school students, so teenagers might want to sign up at the website tranquilitynj.com or stop by for a tour of the facility, located right next door to Staples.

Experts suggest that yoga offers a wide range of benefits for young people, including:

• Physical Health: Yoga improves flexibility, strength, and balance while promoting body awareness.
• Mental Well-being: Mindfulness practices embedded in yoga can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, equipping students with tools to manage their mental health.
• Social Skills: Collaborative activities, such as Horner’s group projects, foster teamwork and communication.
• Lifelong Habits: Yoga introduces students to a form of exercise they can continue throughout their lives, unlike some traditional sports that require teams or specialized equipment.

Despite its benefits, yoga faces barriers in schools, such as misconceptions about its complexity and the difficulty of integrating it into already packed PE schedules. Horner’s approach counters these challenges by making yoga accessible and enjoyable through structured yet flexible programming.

Students in Horner’s class explore a wide variety of poses, from foundational ones like Downward Facing Dog and Warrior poses to advanced techniques like Crane Pose and Crow Pose.

By introducing breathing techniques and mindfulness practices alongside physical movement, the curriculum provides a comprehensive introduction to yoga.

Horner said in his years he’s tried to give his students emotional and social learning techniques as well, not just physical. There’s a dance unit, mindfulness and yoga, or just a walk-and-talk warmup to get students interacting.

It’s about empowerment. It’s about giving his students a chance to take physical education into their own hands. Face-to-face conversations are important to Horner.

“I think genuine conversations have been slowly eliminated from these kids’ lives because we’re texting our girlfriends, friends, and parents,” Horner said. “We’re constantly on our iPad watching Netflix and watching our social media, famous people post about their wonderful lives. It’s like no, this is reality. We need to focus on genuine and honest conversations.”

Horner’s experience underscores the importance of equipping students with tools for physical and mental health. By integrating yoga into high school education, schools can foster resilience, well-being, and a love for lifelong fitness.

“High school PE should focus on giving students the knowledge and skills to find something active they enjoy for the rest of their lives,” said Horner.

With yoga, Horner said educators can empower students to take ownership of their well-being, ensuring they leave school prepared for the challenges of adulthood.

For Teresa Anne Power, yoga became a transformative practice during law school, helping her manage stress and ultimately inspiring her to leave her legal career to teach yoga to even younger children.

She discovered that introducing yoga early in life amplified its benefits, helping kids focus, build strength, and improve flexibility.

"Yoga helps kids concentrate and hooks them in a way other exercises don’t," explained Power, who wrote her best-seller, The ABC's of Yoga for Kids, when smartphones were still a novelty. She believes today’s tech-saturated world makes yoga even more essential, offering children a way to manage stress and find balance.

Power’s playful teaching methods, like renaming poses to spark the imagination—turning Child’s Pose into Mose Pose—and incorporating games, make yoga accessible and fun. Strength-based poses like Warrior or Plank resonate with boys while flowing sequences often appeal to girls.

Educators like Tom Horner are bringing these principles into high schools, introducing yoga as a practical, lifelong tool for wellness. By tailoring yoga to students’ interests, schools can help them develop resilience, focus, and a foundation for managing mental and physical health in a fast-paced world.

Tranquility Yoga will soon be offering classes for family yoga, yoga for teens, Baby & Me, yoga for kids, and the very popular aerial yoga for kids, so this is a good time to get on their waitlist.