Nature-Based Yoga for Kids and Families

Teach Yoga that Connects Kids with Nature

A 3-day immersive training for yoga teachers, parents, and educators who want to bring movement, mindfulness, and nature connection into their work with children, while rediscovering their own inner child.

Reconnect, Play, and Teach with Heart

The Nature-Based Yoga for Kids & Families Training is an in-depth, experiential certification designed for anyone who nurtures children; whether in classrooms, therapy, yoga studios, or homes.

Through movement, mindfulness, and imaginative play, this training weaves together the wisdom of yoga with the rhythms of nature. You’ll gain tools to teach yoga and mindfulness that feel authentic, creative, and developmentally supportive, while nourishing your own inner sense of curiosity and wonder.

Hands coming together in the center of a circle in a single leg seated stretch group yoga pose

Working together, hand in hand

Learning together with connected hearts

Practicing teamwork and collaboration in the human knot experiment

What Makes This Training Unique

This isn’t a sit-and-take-notes kind of weekend. It’s a living, breathing experience that invites you to move, play, and reconnect with what truly matters.

You’ll learn how to teach yoga that feels joyful, grounded, and infused with nature—from tree pose inspired by actual trees to breathwork that mirrors the cycles of the natural world.

Each day blends practical teaching tools, creative exploration, and personal reflection, culminating in an outdoor immersion where you’ll embody the same nature connection you’ll later share with children and families.

A trainee and me (Jessica) doing forest partner pose together

Who Is This Training For?

This training is perfect if you:

  • Teach yoga or mindfulness and want to expand into kids yoga, family yoga, or teen yoga

  • Work with children and families as an educator, therapist, or caregiver, and want to bring more movement, breath, and nature embodiment into your work

  • Are a parent or guardian seeking yoga-centered, screen-free, nature-connected ways to play and bond

  • Feel called to reconnect with your own inner child through laughter, movement, and time outdoors

What You’ll Learn

One of the trainees teaching her practice class

Teaching Foundations

  • How to adapt yoga and mindfulness for different ages and abilities

  • Teaching through storytelling, breathwork, and intuitive movement

  • Integrating the eight limbs of yoga in ways that resonate with children

  • Understanding the seven learning styles and applying them in class design

  • Creating lesson plans that balance energy, focus, and emotional needs

  • Encouraging body awareness and self-expression

  • Building connection through partner and group poses

  • Using imaginative, movement-based imagery to explore big ideas through play

Hands-On Experience

  • Guided inner-child reconnection and creative play sessions

  • Forest school-inspired outdoor yoga immersion (rain, snow, or shine)

  • Practice teaching opportunities with feedback and reflection

What You’ll Receive

You’ll leave with everything you need to begin teaching yoga to kids and families right away:

A book included for every trainee: "Nature-Based Yoga for Kids and Families"

Nature-Based Yoga for Kids & Families Manual

A beautifully bound 150+ page guide with 30 complete lesson plans, hundreds of poses, breath exercises, and mindfulness activities.

Partner Pose Cards for Kids and their grown ups

Wild Life Yoga Partner Pose Deck

52 hand-illustrated cards with detailed instructions for partner and group poses.

Organic Canvas Teaching Bag

A block-printed, eco-friendly tote filled with:

  • Laminated emotion chart for social-emotional learning

  • Mini mindfulness and meditation props

  • A small notebook and organizing tabs for your manual

  • A few surprise items unique to each training

Meet Your Instructor

Jessica Schirmer is the founder of Wild Life Yoga, where the “wildness” of teaching kids and family yoga is fully embraced alongside a deep connection to the natural world.

With over a decade of experience teaching kids and family yoga, five years as a forest school educator, and a B.S. in Human Development, Jessica is also the author and illustrator of Nature-Based Yoga for Kids and Families and the Wild Life Yoga Partner Pose Deck.

Her teaching blends developmental theory, age-adapted yoga, and earth-based learning—helping educators, teachers, and parents cultivate connection through movement, mindfulness, and play.

Kind words &

Participant Reviews

I recently had the pleasure of attending Jessica's Wildlife Yoga Training, and it was an absolutely beautiful experience. Jessica's kindness and gentleness created a nurturing environment where everyone felt welcomed and supported. Her deep connection with nature infused every aspect of the training, allowing us to truly immerse ourselves in the beauty of the natural world.

Jessica's thoughtful approach to teaching enabled us to explore our inner child and reconnect with the playful spirit within us. From fun games to silly activities, every moment was filled with laughter and joy. It was refreshing to step away from the seriousness of everyday life and embrace our sense of silliness.

Overall, Jessica's Wildlife Yoga Training was an unforgettable journey. I left feeling inspired, rejuvenated, and deeply grateful for the experience. If you're looking to cultivate a deeper connection with nature and explore the transformative power of yoga, I highly recommend Jessica's training.

Cheltsy

April 2024 Training

Jes is absolutely brilliant in her thinking and creativity! Her ability to combine the two and create such an intelligent and intentional approach to yoga for kids and families is remarkable.

The resources and high-level development research applied in this style of teaching lends it to be a comprehensive and powerful method of introducing yoga to a wide variety of ages and abilities, and yet she has made it so simple for new and experienced teachers alike to directly apply her method in their own classes and communities.

I have taken many, many yoga teacher trainings over the last 17 years and this one stands out for sure! Truthfully, I would recommend this to every yoga instructor not matter what style they teach as I find the concepts to be so valuable for all yoga students, and so widely applicable. Her teachings are all about getting back to our core humanness - nature, love, community and connection to self.

Erin S.

March 2025 Trainee

Jes is authentic and present in everything she does. This is especially important in kids and family yoga. It's impossible for participants to be more engaged in the class than the teacher. Her classes, trainings, and workshops are the best because she can dive deeper than someone less authentic and invested.

Erik H.

March 2025 Trainee

Everything about this training was impactful. It was not just about learning how to teach children, it was about connecting with yourself, your inner child, and the earth around us. It was beautiful, engaging, and spiritual in a way I was not expecting at all. I would highly recommend this training and feel so honored to have taken part.

Oct. '25 Trainee

Why This Work Matters

Children live close to the rhythms of nature and their own imagination.

Through yoga and mindful movement, we can nurture these natural gifts while building emotional awareness, empathy, and resilience.

By joining this nature-based yoga training, you’re not just gaining new teaching tools, you’re remembering how to teach from the heart, rooted in presence, creativity, and connection.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to many common questions about the training

Do I need prior yoga teaching experience?

No! Many participants are educators, parents, or therapists new to teaching yoga. The training provides a strong foundation for all backgrounds.

Does this count toward Yoga Alliance Continuing Education hours?

Yes. The in person training offers 26 CE hours for registered yoga teachers, with each online course offering different amounts. Jessica Schirmer is listed as an official Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP)

Is this training only offered in Utah?

Currently, the in person training is only offered in Utah. However, if you would like to attend an online training from the comfort of your own home, we have options! If you would like to coordinate an in person training to come to your area, reach out to Jessica directly at jes@wildlifeyoga.com.

Are scholarships available?

Yes, our in-person trainings offer both partial and full scholarships to ensure accessibility.

What should I bring?

A detailed email will be sent out to all participants upon sign-up and closer to when the training begins. A good place to start is: a yoga mat, comfortable clothing, outdoor gear for Sunday’s nature immersion, and an open heart for play and learning.

Ready to dive in?

Join the Next Training

Each session is intentionally small to maintain a personal, connected experience. New training dates and locations are announced throughout the year.

Reconnect with nature.

Rediscover your inner child.

Learn to guide others on the same beautiful journey.

Get notified of Upcoming Training Dates

Bonus: receive free weekly themed teaching tips and activity ideas

"Anyone who does anything to help a child in [their] life is a hero to me"

- Mr. Rogers -