Kids Yoga in Norwich: A Personal Journey Into Mindfulness, Neurodiversity & Family Connection

In the fast-paced nature of modern life, it can be a real challenge to stay connected to the moment, to ourselves, and to our families. Between work, school, and the endless list of domestic responsibilities, it’s easy to miss opportunities to slow down, breathe, and reset together. Living rurally in Norfolk, while incredibly beautiful, brings its own sense of isolation and the added challenge of not having many wellbeing resources right on your doorstep. As a family, carving out mindful moments doesn’t always come easily. When you’re parenting neurodiverse children, having accessible tools for self-regulation can feel essential, not just for day-to-day balance, but for helping relationships and bonds truly flourish.

This work is deeply personal for me. As a child, I struggled enormously with self-regulation. I lived in a constant state of anxiety and heightened stress, and over time this showed up physically through eczema, asthma, stomach aches, allergies, panic attacks, immune system challenges, and frequent respiratory issues. I often found myself dissociated and dysregulated, disconnected from my body and my surroundings. If I could speak to my younger self now, I would gift her tools for holistic wellbeing. I would give her opportunities to connect authentically with people who truly understood her needs, her sensitivities, her desires, and her light.

Growing up, my home environment required me to emotionally regulate my primary carer, who lived with mental health difficulties. Because of this, there was never really space to cultivate safety within myself. Now, through working with my inner child, I get a new chance every day to tend to her in the way she always deserved. I do this through yoga, meditation, qigong, singing, art, using my voice, and allowing my body to move freely. These practices have become a way of coming home to myself.

I truly believe that learning how to breathe through any emotion, stay present in the moment, and practise physical and energetic regulation is essential for children. Developing self-awareness at a young age allows them to maintain a sense of safety within themselves, something they can carry into every stage of life. This belief sits at the heart of my work in children’s yoga and mindfulness, particularly for neurodiverse families in and around Norwich.

My own childhood experiences naturally led me into a working life centred around children in roles that are nurturing, creative, and inclusive. From my very first job as a babysitter to teaching English to children aged five to fifteen in Vietnam and Laos, I’ve always been drawn to supporting young people as they grow in confidence, communication, and self-belief. I trained as a Level 5 TEFL teacher and completely fell in love with teaching while volunteering in South East Asia. Over the years, I’ve worked in language centres, classrooms, kindergartens, and one-to-one settings, each experience deepening my understanding of how children learn and thrive.

Alongside this, I trained as a children’s yoga teacher and helped launch ‘Wild and Free’ at SunFyr Barns, offering group sessions that blend kids yoga, mindful movement, nature-based crafts, creativity, and family connection. Growing up with family members who are autistic has given me a deeply personal understanding of neurodiversity, and this continues to shape the way I hold space for children and families. My work is rooted in nervous system regulation, proprioceptive awareness, and gentle, supportive approaches that weave together eastern practices and western science. As both an artist and yoga practitioner, I love creating calm, welcoming environments where children can explore movement, art, music, mindfulness, and play at their own pace.

Here at SunFyr, near Norwich, I will be leading family mini retreats specifically for children with neurodiversity and their families. These sessions will offer a supportive space for kids yoga and meditation, music-making, art, and a gentle sharing circle. Freedom Well-Being CIC is presenting this SunFyr Community project as a way to support children’s unique talents and abilities while strengthening family wellbeing.

We live in a world where neurodiversity is too often framed as a weakness. This space offers a different narrative. It’s a chance for children on the spectrum to connect with their identity and their strengths through yoga, meditation, western science, creative practices, and collaborative connection. Everything is approached with compassion, curiosity, and respect for each child’s individual rhythm.

The first family mini retreat will take place on Sunday January 25th from 2–5pm, followed by another on Sunday March 1st from 2–5pm. There will be nine family spaces available at £20 per family, with the age range aimed at children aged five to eleven, though there is flexibility. One place will be fully sponsored through outreach with a charity to ensure accessibility.

Alongside these retreats, ‘Super Kids’ yoga and mindful crafts will begin as an afterschool club for ages 5-11 every Friday from 4–5pm at SunFyr, starting on Friday the 16th, priced at £7 per family. We will also be running another weekly ‘Super Kids’ simply yoga session specifically for neurodiverse kids ages 5-11 on Wednesdays 5:15-6:15pm, starting from the 21st of January. This will be £7 per child, with siblings welcome to join free of charge. More information will be shared very soon.

I truly look forward to welcoming you to SunFyr as we bring back our community events and continue building spaces for connection, creativity, and wellbeing through kids yoga in Norwich.

With warmth,
Scher Black.