Yoga in Norwegian Kindergartens: What is it, And Who is it For?

This paper investigates the components that are central to yoga practice as it is implemented in Norwegian kindergartens. The talk is part of a larger project on yoga in early childhood settings and draws on data collected from public websites and questionnaires completed by kindergarten employees.

Although providers and employees consistently present kindergarten yoga as secular, the practice incorporates terminology and techniques drawn from classical Indian, and modern yoga traditions. References to India is completely absent in the material, and this brings up questions about religious and cultural appropriation. In some cases, kindergarten yoga is also commercialized, and providers advertise their services to, and derive income from kindergartens and kindergarten teachers. While the practice is pluralistic, kindergarten yoga emerges as a distinct variant of modern yoga that has assimilated elements and values from early childhood education.

My goal in this talk is to shed light on the elements that constitute yoga in kindergarten and give insights into where these elements come from. In addition, I want to examine the power structures of yoga in Norwegian kindergartens: Who holds the power to define what is religious and what is secular in institutionalized settings? What is considered authentic yoga in these contexts? And who is seen as authorities on the practice?