Program Pathway

A clear, supportive pathway that helps every child grow with confidence, regulation, and independence.

At Happy Yoga, each child is welcomed exactly as they are. Our three-phase model provides structure, consistency, and gentle guidance so students can build trust, regulation, social connection, and long-term independence in a safe, nurturing environment.

Phase 1: Foundation (2 classes/week)

Building regulation, understanding the practice, and creating trust.

This is the most important stage of a child’s Happy Yoga journey. In Phase 1, children receive consistent, individualized support to help them settle into the routine, feel safe in the space, and understand what yoga practice looks like.

Happy Yoga focuses on:

Adaptive yoga modifications to meet each child where they are
Behavior support and gentle redirection
Hand-over-hand assistance to learn poses safely
Co-regulation strategies to help calm the body + mind
Building trust and connection with the instructor
Developing predictable routines that the child can rely on
Understanding sensory needs (movement, pressure, calm input)
Learning how to transition between movements and activities
Staying on the mat and participating with support
Understanding expectations in a gentle, clear way
Introducing breathing tools for calming and grounding
Visual strategies and visual pose guides to support understanding
“Copy-me” stage practice to build imitation skills

This phase lays the foundation for all social, motor, behavioral, and emotional skills.

Most students remain in this stage for 1–2 years, depending on comfort, readiness, and developmental needs.

Phase 2: Partner Yoga (1–2 partner classes/week)

Developing social skills, shared space, teamwork, and early connection.

As children become more regulated and confident, they gradually move into partner yoga. This phase introduces social and communication skills in a safe, guided, and supported way.

Partner sessions help children practice:

Sharing space and equipment
Taking turns and waiting
Following a shared pace with another child
Teamwork and cooperative movement
Early social communication in a low-pressure environment
Understanding personal boundaries
Respecting another child’s space
Fun partner poses to build connection and joy
Short meditation practices based on their skill level
Introduction to Trataka (candle gazing for focus) when appropriate
Gentle Yoga Nidra for kids, adapted to attention span

This phase is empowering and motivating. Many children make big developmental leaps as they learn to connect, collaborate, and succeed with another child—while still receiving full support.

Phase 3: Ongoing Practice & Support (1 class/week)

Maintaining progress, building independence, and staying grounded long-term.

Once a child is steady, regulated, and demonstrates strong independence, they move to one class per week.

This stage helps children stay connected to their breath, their bodies, and their inner calm through a steady yoga practice. This regular practice reflects in their focus and confidence as they continue to grow.

Ongoing sessions focus on:

Long-term emotional regulation
Maintaining flexibility and strength
Reinforcing breathing and calming tools
Improving attention, sequencing, and focus
Encouraging independence with minimal prompting
Helping teens balance academics + routines
Sustaining confidence and self-awareness
Meditation practices
Short Yoga Nidra based on attention needs and comfort

Bonus Support:

Students in this phase are invited to join one optional online group class per week, giving them a grounding practice and a sense of community.

This stage provides a calm, steady rhythm so children can continue growing at their own pace while still receiving consistent support when needed.

What do parents think about practicing yoga, including breathing techniques, twice a week?

Miya has learned to be more flexible in her techniques, more confident in her poses, and also learned to slow down, which is why we joined Happy Yoga. She has learned many yoga poses and shows us at home as well.

We are very happy with the positive changes we have noticed in Miya's ability to handle her emotions when things get too overwhelming for her, so yoga has definitely helped her.

My child calms down easily when anxious, compliance.

Through Yoga, my son was able to regulate his emotions. Take deep breaths and follow good yoga tips to calm himself.

After yoga, my child seems more calmer. Also, engagement in yoga is better than many other activities.

His willingness to slow down, listen, and follow instructions. He reminds himself to breath and relax.

My son is showing more awareness and mindful on the things around him, more focused and calm after the breathing patterns.

Yoga for autistic children is numerous and varied, but some of the most notable ones I found for my child include improved flexibility, balance, coordination, and body awareness. It helped to enhance concentration, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, which can lead to greater confidence and self-esteem in a long run.

Breathing techniques are highly effective in controlling anxiety, increased energy level, improve digestion, improved mental clarity and focus and most importantly regulate emotions.

"Practicing breathing techniques regularly reduces stress and anxiety and increases mindfulness and self-awareness. I see all of these improvements in my child, and not just that, a practical implementation as well. Recently a classmate of my child was upset in school and was crying. My child went to the kid, consoled, and asked them to take deep breaths by demonstrating how to take deep breaths to help calm the child. The fact that my child is using the techniques and helping others with his knowledge is a direct learning from the practice at Priya’s Happy Yoga classes."

-Ms. Savita