Spreading peace through kids’ yoga

GROWING up in Israel, Gopala Amir Yaffa witnessed the devastating impact of war and division firsthand. That experience led to his life’s mission: to create peace from the inside out.

As co-founder of Rainbow Yoga, Yaffa believes yoga is a powerful catalyst for change — and that transformation begins with education. This belief fuels his passion for training people to become kids’ yoga teachers.

Yaffa and his wife Angela, who have four children, founded Rainbow Yoga in 2007, shortly after relocating to the Northern Rivers from Melbourne, where the pair met when Yaffa had been teaching yoga there.

“After immersing myself in traditional yoga, I realised that yoga could be more,” he said.

“It could be louder, more joyful, more connected, more inclusive. I wanted yoga that breaks the mould — yoga that brings people together, that heals hearts and families, and that creates peace not only within but also in the world around us.

“If we teach our children to hate, they will hate. If we teach them to love, they will love, and loving is what we teach in Rainbow Yoga.”

Before launching the company, Yaffa lived as a monk at an ashram in India for ten years.

Shortly after arriving there in 1994, he met an American woman who was passing through on her way to Jordan.

“We had a few deep and meaningful conversations and I found out that she had just become the private yoga teacher for King Hussein and the Royal Family,” he said.

“A few months later, King Hussein’s attitude toward the Middle East conflicts changed and in a surprising move, he made peace with Israel.”

While adult yoga often emphasises inward reflection, Yaffa said children’s yoga is vibrant, engaging, and full of life.

“It’s stories, games, songs and connection,” he said. “It’s the yoga of hugs and high fives, of dance and laughter. But don’t be fooled — it’s just as deep, and at least as transformative.

“It helps them find peace inside when the world feels chaotic. It helps them move their bodies with joy and learn how to listen to their feelings, to their breath, to others. It teaches them resilience, confidence, empathy and kindness.

“Through yoga, kids learn that it’s OK to feel, OK to fall and that every breath is a new beginning.”

Practicing yoga as a family, he adds, is also a powerful way to build deeper bonds.

“It helps families learn to really see each other, to connect beyond words, to build trust, presence, and a shared sense of peace,” Yaffa said. “It turns time together into a sacred practice of love.”

According to Yaffa, today’s children are increasingly burdened by anxiety, disconnection, and overstimulation — while parents and educators are often stretched thin.

“Parents are overwhelmed, educators are under-resourced and yoga offers a lifeline,” he said.

“People are realising that yoga is not just about fitness — it’s about wellbeing, emotional literacy and learning to be in the world with grace and compassion. And that’s what families, children and communities are hungry for.”

When Rainbow Yoga was first launched, Yaffa said there was little focus on yoga for kids.

“Now, it’s everywhere,” he said. “There are now entire school curriculums that include mindfulness and yoga. It’s a revolution — and it’s just beginning.”

Since its founding, Rainbow Yoga has trained more than 35,000 teachers across over 50 countries, offering in-person trainings around the world as well as livestream and online options.

“We explore yoga poses, of course, but also storytelling, music, group dynamics, breathwork, play therapy, mindfulness, family connection, community building, inclusivity and trauma-informed practices,” Yaffa said.

“We teach how to make yoga meaningful, magical, engaging and full of heart for every age and every ability.

“If you feel even a spark of longing to make a difference, to bring more peace, more joy, more love into the world… this is your path.”

Rainbow Yoga will host a three-day, in-person teacher training course at Byron Youth Service over the June long weekend.

For more information, visit rainbowyogatraining.com