Finding calm

If you were a fly on the wall of The Children’s Trust School, you would see that no two days in our classrooms are the same. One morning, you might see pupils making music or absorbed in sensory play. On another, you might see them from the window exploring our woodland. And then there are days when the pace softens, and the young people experience the magic of something very special: our yoga sessions.

Yoga here is about far more than stretching or exercise. It’s a space for stillness and connection, helping pupils slow down and find moments of calm in their day.

One of the young people who shows just how powerful this can be is Laura.

Laura, 16, has been coming to The Children’s Trust School for two years. She lives with dystonia and other health issues, and her days can be physically demanding, with a lot of time spent in therapies that support her mobility, such as physiotherapy and using a standing frame.

“Laura is an absolute joy,” says Julie, a specialist teaching assistant who works closely with her. “She’s bubbly and sparkly, and she’s got a mischievous sense of humour. She just loves company and attention.” 

Julie added that while Laura’s timetable is full of physical activity, yoga offers something different; a chance for her to switch off from the busyness of the day.  

“When people think of yoga, they imagine turning themselves into a pretzel. But here, special yoga is about connection, breath and engagement. It gives the young people space to calm, self-regulate, and just be.” Amanda, school yoga teacher 

Her classes can include gentle postures and shapes for those that are able to, and turn-taking exercises using movement, tapping, or sound that encourage interaction. Breathing exercises are at the heart of the sessions.

“We’re not telling students to breathe like us,” she explains, “but if you breathe audibly with the young person you’re supporting, eventually they will come into that space with you. It’s very calming.”

While Laura thrives in yoga class now, it wasn’t always the case. “At first she found it difficult to stay still,” recalls Amanda. “We would sometimes spend the whole hour just trying to get her to settle, because she would always be looking around for her support worker.”

Then came a turning point. Amanda sat quietly with Laura, breathing audibly. “Eventually you could see her watching me breathing,” Amanda says, “and then she just relaxed and went ‘hmm.’ She stayed like that for about ten minutes. That was the breakthrough.”

From then on, Laura began to join in more. “She would giggle as we played turn-taking games, or she would copy my movements. It became about a really deep connection. Now she loves to take the mallets for the yoga drum and press them together. It’s wonderful to see.”

Amanda also runs sound bath sessions for the pupils. The value of both sessions is felt across the school. For some pupils, yoga helps ease anxiety and gives them a sense of control over their breathing. For others, it offers rare moments of calm in a busy day. Sound baths, with the gentle tones of singing bowls, add another layer of sensory enrichment.

“We bring yoga and sound into school because every child deserves the chance to explore and discover what helps them feel good. It’s not just about relaxation, it’s about confidence, connection and joy. And that’s what makes it so special here.” Amanda, school yoga teacher

For Laura, yoga is now a treasured part of the week. It’s a time when she can laugh, connect and find calm in her own body. It’s a reminder that every child, no matter their challenges, deserves the chance to experience peace and joy, and we feel privileged to support them on that journey.