Expanding Access: Yoga for Kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston

Kripalu’s impact work extends beyond our campus and into the local community, where we partner with schools, nonprofits, and youth organizations to share simple, accessible tools for well-being. Through collaborations like the Yawkey Foundation partnership, we are able to offer mindful movement, breathing practices, and wellness education to youth who may be experiencing them for the first time.

As part of this effort, Kripalu faculty member Sam Chase recently led a yoga session for children at the Boys & Girls Club of Boston and the Boys & Girls Club of South Boston. For many, it was their first time engaging with yoga in a guided, supportive group setting. Alicia Verity, CEO of the Yawkey Foundation, expressed the importance of this work:

“When young people have access to practices that help them breathe and focus, it can change the trajectory of their lives—yet today’s youth are facing unprecedented levels of stress and anxiety, especially in communities with limited mental-health resources. That’s why the Yawkey Foundation is partnering with Kripalu to ensure that more children and adolescents have access to experiencing the grounding, confidence-building benefits of yoga and mindfulness—tools that help them navigate challenges, strengthen emotional well-being, and feel supported as they grow."

Staff member Chantha “Speedy,” who was present during the session, noted how quickly the group engaged:

“I was pleasantly surprised to see so many of our members embracing yoga with genuine enthusiasm. It was delightful to watch them concentrate on their breathing and challenge themselves to stretch to their limits.”

She also saw leadership emerge among the Club’s Torch Club members:

“They stepped into leadership roles among their peers. Their focus set the tone for the group and inspired their friends to follow their lead. There was plenty of cheerful laughter as they attempted ambitious stretches, battled to maintain balance, and practiced deep breathing.”

The structure of the class helped keep the session light and accessible:

“Our members appreciated that the yoga session was brief, enjoyable, and accessible to everyone. Time passed so swiftly that they hardly noticed an hour had gone by.”

By the end, the benefits were clear:

“They discovered how playful and lighthearted yoga can be, while also experiencing the calming power of deep breathing and meditation. Many expressed feeling refreshed, relieved, and wonderfully relaxed.”

This Yawkey-supported program reflects Kripalu’s ongoing commitment to partnering with community organizations, expanding access to yoga and mindfulness, and offering tools that help young people build focus, ease, and resilience.