I taught a middle school group last year, a special classroom of ADD/ADHD kids. Mainly boys. They liked challenging balancing poses. They liked handstand and headstand. They liked arm balances that they could do but I can't. They couldn't still there bodies. Or, you can consider that stillness looks different in their bodies than in mine.. By the end of the year they could rest in savasana stillness for 2 minutes and that felt like a major accomplishment. Because it was a special classroom (they had all been pulled out of regular classrooms for behavior problems) there was always an aid in the class. If someone's behavior was really inappropriate the aid would remove that child. They knew that yoga was a privilege and they wanted to be there. Oh, and the class was just 45 minutes not a full hour. It was a good length of time for that group.

So, always some good challenging poses. I tried to compose classes where I knew everyone could succeed at something. (i.e. I though of each of their strengths when stringing poses together). They always had the choice to rest in savasana as long as they were not disruptive. I kept it playful and light. I also taught them to breath. Most of them were 'reverse breathers." I taught them belly breath and relaxation exercise. I talked about how to use these techniques to get ready for tests or when they were faced with stress (many came from pretty unstable homes).

This year I have a group of mainly high school boys. They are more settled, less crazy. They still like challenging poses. The like doing things that I cannot. I still try to make it so everyone can succeed at something during the class. They became really intrigued last week when I told them they could learn to regulate their heartbeats. I think gaining control of their bodies is a big draw, being able to do something out of the ordinary.

Good luck, enjoy them. It is an important time, a great time to be introduced to yoga.

major props to you for teaching kids! ahhhh all the blessings in the world coming into one place!
that darth vader thing is funny haha
i understand what you mean about the giggling and chatting and having to figure out how much to let that ride and when/how to reign it in... that makes perfecet sense... i am the same way with kids!

the best thing to remember here is that as you are teaching them, they are always and also teaching you, sister..... there is much truth here in this task you have undertaken :)

peace and love always
Eva

many thanks sister for bringing this topic up now.

I have taught different groups of kids at different times.

I love teachign yog ato children.
You are indeed right that stillness looks and feels different especially to ASDHD kids.

Safety is paramount in teachign any group of people. So you have to emphasize this. Copying beak dance moves is sonmething which kids will do because its what they have seen and is considered "cool".

Balance poses and hard challenging repetitions of sunsalutations which include qusarter turns and then ultimately if doen correctly end you up facign the beginning direction are fun with kids.

I ahve also taught younger ones and have a complete repertoire of animal poses.. which include movement.

I havean email address with wav eyoga.. I orginated waveyoga.. yoga which is doen with wavy movements, so I also teach that.. its vital that in this that one does nto move in a range which is counter proper joint alignment or movement.

Thank you again.

Catch them in the right act, and call them out on it, others will rise to the unimplied challenge.
Use chanting as a form of pranayam, they will love it.
Let the giggles come and go, but remove anyone whos really disruptive from the group and let him/her join when they are ready not to disturb others.
Or if its really outrageous put them in the center of your circle during meditation and have yourself and others 'send' them the benefit of the practice.
Be in the spontaneous moment. Sense what is needed and respond from your place of purest Truth. Give examples from your own life. Make the yoga come alive by joining with them! PLAY!