Kids Yoga Teacher Dress Code
Sep 13, 2016
What you wear for personal practice and what you wear when you teach are likely two different outfits, especially when teaching Yoga to children. It’s common for Yoga students today to wear barely-there tight fitting tops and bottoms, along with armfuls of bangles and beads when taking group classes. None of this is really appropriate when teaching kids.
Modesty is key. Cover the shoulders and the belly. It is both more respectful and less distracting when the teacher is wearing something not-too-tight and not too revealing. It may seem obvious, but wear a top with a high enough neckline so that when you are in Plank pose in a circle, the kids don’t see right down your shirt. Also, a top with longer length will keep the belly covered when you reach your arms up. I used to have a silver navel ring and when I was wearing a shorter top and reached my arms up, the kids would exclaim, “Oooh, your belly-button is pierced!” Not the best focus for class.
Jewelry can also be a distraction, and even dangerous. Loose beads and bells can get caught on a student’s body or clothing (awkward!), they are visually distracting and often their movement can be heard during final rest. Giving kids a chance to rest deeply is critical. Don’t let a wardrobe choice rob them of it.
Consider the culture. A colleague of mine noticed that when she taught in the rougher neighborhoods of Chicago, it was important that she didn’t look too “pretty” or well-manicured. She preferred to wear a looser T-Shirt rather than a brand name “Yoga” top. It made her more relatable to the children; they listened better and learned more Yoga.
In some traditions the teacher will wear tighter clothes or expose more bare skin so students can see the subtle actions of a pose. It makes sense for adults, but I don’t recommend it in kids’ Yoga classes. They are not practicing at that level of detail until they are a bit older and then it’s even more important to be modest. Preteen boys can be amazingly distractible, if you know what I mean.
Sometimes, I even teach in loose stretchy jeans when I go into schools. Not ideal for a belly-down pose like Bow (Dhanurasana), but if that is what the kids I’m teaching are wearing, it makes sense. It also helps me be more aware of the limitations they have in their jeans and that we probably don’t want to spend too much time in the Bow pose! I’m not practicing, I’m teaching – walking around a lot more than staying on my mat in a pose. Also, it’s practical and shows that you don’t need a fancy outfit to benefit from Yoga.
When I started teaching Yoga to children, back in 1999, I had recently completed my 200-hour basic Yoga teacher training from the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta ashram in Kerala, India. We had a teacher’s uniform. It was a baggy yellow T-Shirt and long white cotton pants. The traditional garb of Yoga is loose, white, pure cotton clothing. It’s modest and allows room for movement. Either of these choices, though not hip, is perfect for teaching kids Yoga.
Clothing is a personal choice and a reflection of who you are. As Alicia Keys says in regards to fashion, “Do you.” You can choose an outfit that makes you feel good, says who you are and is still modest and respectful to your young students.
