Elementary school isn’t what it used to be.  Girls as young as eight face a wide range of pressures that can impact their emotional well-being and self-esteem.  From academic expectations to navigating complex social dynamics, they’re constantly trying to be liked, accepted, and successful.  During middle school and high school, these pressures tend to intensify.   Whether it’s the pressure to get good grades, fit in with a friend group, or live up to a certain ideal,  girls can easily find themselves overwhelmed with stress.  Learning to recognize and cope with stress and pressure early on is key to building resilience and confidence as they move into the teen years.

As a life coach, I teach my clients a variety of stress-busting tools—from mindfulness to emotional regulation—but one practice consistently rises to the top: yoga for teen girls.  

How Yoga Helps Teen Girls

Yoga encourages a strong, confident attitude. Yoga promotes self-acceptance, non-judgment, and community.  It teaches girls to respect themselves and make self-empowering choices.  

Poses to try: Warrior 1, Warrior 2, and Mountain Pose. 

Yoga embraces the uniqueness of every body.  Yoga attracts people of all shapes and sizes and reminds us that strength comes in many forms. On the mat, girls are reminded that each day is different and their bodies are always changing.  They are encouraged to find gratitude for what their bodies can do. 

Poses to try: Eagle, Tree, and Warrior 3.

Yoga is free from competition. Yoga is not about winning, nor being the best. Rather, it is about honoring yourself and being open to others’ points of view.  Yoga encourages compassion, kindness, and non-violence.  

Poses to try: Bridge, Wheel, and Camel. 

Yoga reduces stress.  Yoga offers time and space to find balance and peace. On the mat, girls learn to use their breath to calm their bodies and relax their minds. Almost all yoga classes end in a motionless pose called Savasana, which improves the skill of non-action and enhances the ability to relax.  

Poses to try: Child’s Pose, Seated Twist, and Savasana. My mother-daughter classes combine the physical practice of yoga with eye-opening life coaching exercises.  Girls learn the benefits of yoga, while developing self-awareness, practical life-skills, and inner and outer strength.    Moms get a unique opportunity to bond with their daughter while creating a framework for honest and open conversations.