After School Yoga
Giving our young people space to breathe
Do you remember growing up?
Do you remember how exciting, confusing, challenging and sometimes overwhelming those years could feel?
Our childhood and teenage years are a time of enormous change. We are discovering who we are, navigating relationships, becoming more aware of our bodies and emotions, and beginning to find our place in the world.
According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 7 young people aged 10–19 globally experience a mental health condition, while depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability in adolescence. WHO also notes that around half of mental health conditions begin by age 14.
Yet the suffering of these teens remains largely unrecognised and untreated.
In the midst of this crisis, a breath-centred yoga is a proven modality to reduce anxiety and depression, increase self-esteem and body confidence, and overall quality of life.
Y.E.S. (YOGA EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS PROJECT)
Golden Yogi is partnering with the Yoga Education in Schools Project (Y.E.S.) to deliver an inclusive, highly effective eight-week yoga programme right here in our studio in Takapuna.
The programme is designed to support the mental and physical wellbeing of children and teenagers as they navigate formative years of immense change within an uncertain world.
Hear what other students are saying about their Y.E.S. experience:
“I like knowing I spend that time just being in tune with my breath. I also like knowing I can bring the new skills home with me for the holidays and before exams.” – Year 11 student
“I never knew how to connect with my breath to calm my mind. I feel so much better after practicing and know that I could do this every day.” – Year 10 student
“When I found my breath, I found a sense of peace.” – Year 11 student
“The breath was awesome, it felt in a way kind of like an old friend I'd forgotten If that makes sense, it felt very natural and reassuring paired with the movements.” – Year 12 student
“I sometimes feel stressed by everything that's happening at school and at home. The practice helps me put myself together and navigate the day.” – Year 12 student
“The practices made me feel more connected to myself and grounded in the place that I am in. By focusing on the breath and the movement, I could turn all of my attention to the present moment and I stopped to overthink.” – Year 12 student
What Students Learn
Through accessible movement and conscious breathing, students learn practical tools to:
Manage stress
Develop focus and awareness
Build body confidence
Connect with their bodies
Support emotional wellbeing
Develop resilience
Create a simple practice they can return to in everyday life
Breath-centric yoga has been shown to support reduced anxiety and depression, increased self-esteem and body confidence, and improved overall quality of life.
Meet the Teachers
Charlotte Stevens
Discovering the power of breath helped Charlotte navigate the challenges of adolescence, and she is committed to helping young people develop the same sense of wellbeing and self-determination. She has studied and assisted on yoga teacher trainings around the world. She also brings a background in youth development and charity fundraising to her work with young people.
Dylan Giles
Dylan brings a wealth of experience supporting young people as they navigate adolescence, including his own experience of encountering loss and grief at a young age. He has also undertaken a deep study of the human mind and holds a degree in psychology from Dartmouth University. A theatre kid at heart, Dylan believes in sharing these practices because they help bring forth the latent talent, creativity, and expression within each individual.
Molly Sullivan
Molly is a yoga and meditation teacher, somatic movement facilitator and educator who loves creating spaces where children and young people can feel safe, curious, playful and at home in their bodies.
Her work with young people has taken many forms over the years. She has taught children in Japan, worked with teenagers in Melbourne, supported children and families as a social worker, facilitated creative movement workshops at festivals in New Zealand, and taught yoga and meditation to teenagers in Bali.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
The eight-week programme includes:
8 weekly yoga sessions
A trained YES facilitator
Breath-centric movement practices
A simple daily practice that can be continued at home
Printed resources
Supplementary practice videos
A supportive and inclusive environment
Equipment
The movement sequences in the programme are non-strenuous and do not require special exercise clothing or showers afterwards.
We encourage children to bring their own Yoga mat for hygienic reasons, however there will be spares available.
YOGA FOR EVERY BODY
The YES programme has been developed by experts in yoga therapy, youth work, youth psychology, addiction, high-needs and neurodivergent communities.
The programme is:
Inclusive
Designed to welcome different bodies, abilities and needs.
Non-competitive
There is no pressure to perform, compare or achieve.
Non-religious
Yoga is offered as a practical wellbeing practice that is accessible to everyone.
Safe and respectful
There is no physical contact between facilitator and student.
PROGRAMME DETAILS
TWO AGE GROUPS
We are creating dedicated groups so that the practice can meet young people where they are in their development.
Ages 5–9
A playful, accessible introduction to movement, breathing, body awareness and emotional wellbeing.
Ages 10–18
A supportive space to develop practical tools for stress, focus, resilience, self-awareness and navigating the challenges of adolescence.
TIMETABLE
Age Group Day Start Date End Date Time
Ages 5–9 Tuesday 13th October 1st December 4-5pm
Ages 10–18 Wednesday 14th October 2nd December 4-5pm
Spaces are limited.
Register Here
Learn more about Y.E.S.
Golden Yogi is proud to host this special youth programme in partnership with Yoga Education in Schools (Y.E.S.), a New Zealand charitable trust dedicated to bringing breath-centred yoga into schools and communities.
Y.E.S. works with schools and educators to empower young people with simple, practical yoga practices that support wellbeing. They also offer an 8-week training for teens to become a Y.E.S. facilitator themselves and share yoga in their school community.