Instructor: Emily Mehr
Community: Ages 4-5, Preschool Setting, 45-60 minutes
Plan Creation Date: April 15, 2016
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Grounding
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Chime – Use this to start the class and “open our ears.” Students will wave their hand while they can hear the chime to mimic the vibration of the chime. When they can no longer hear the chime, they will silently give a “thumbs up.” Once the chime has stopped, take a silent moment to see what we can hear now that we have opened our ears, as opposed to before we started.
- Belly Breathing – with Breathing Ball: As a group decide how many breaths to take. Each child will get a chance to lead, and then gently pass the ball to the next person. Emphasize that we are working together to “open our lungs” and when it’s not their turn, they can be following along and using their hands and pretend to be holding the ball.
Activate
- Mountain Pose – Super glue your feet to the floor and sink your roots down into the ground to stand tall
- Forward Bend – Bend over and slowly shake your head back and forth. Now, grab your elbows and gently rock your baby back and forth.
- Downward Dog – Plant your hands and feet on the ground with your bottom pointing up into the air.
- Cat/Cow – Place your hands flat on the ground, and pretend like you’re a cat. As you exhale, tuck your tail and push your back up. Take a big breath in and arch your back and look up to the sky.
- Boat – Sitting on you bottom, lift your feet off the ground. Using your arms, grab onto the backs of your legs or stick them out into the air. What does it feel like when only a small part of your body is touching the ground?
- Rock and Roll – Lay on your back and turn your body into a tiny, tight little seed. Give your body a big squeeze. Now gently start rocking back and forth, feeling the ground as you move forward and backwards.
- Child’s Pose – Still pretending to be a seed, plant your body on the ground with your face tucked between your arms and your forehead touching the floor.
Calm
- Back Breathing – with a Partner: A continuation of child’s pose, have your partner gently place their hands on your back. As you’re taking deep breaths, feel the warmth from their hands gently letting you sink further into the ground. Switch roles of partners.
- Relaxation – “The Boat Ride: Guided Relaxation with group share at the end.