Instructor: Galina Weber
Community: Ages 7-11, “Parent Works” group for children taken out of home by social services, 30 minutes
Plan Creation Date: January 10, 2016
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Listening
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- I would have calming music with no lyrics playing in the class and ask the students to pay attention to the effects of the music calming down their mind and body.
- Pinwheel Breathing – Pass one Pin Wheel around the class for three breaths each. Listen together to the sound of breath of each student.
- Mountain – Ask children to stand tall and proud and imagine they are wearing a crown like King or Queen. Ask them to listen to their thoughts at the moment. Share them.
- Tree – While balancing on each side practice Strong Voice: I’m strong, I’m in control, I can do it, I can be responsible, I love myself the way I am, I’m complete.
Activate
- Volcano Breath – Practice listening to our heart and thinking of the person or pet we have the most Love Feelings toward (someone who makes us very strong and makes us feel good). Send love thoughts to them.
- Mountain and Forward Bend – In the Mountain pose practice being present in the moment and listen to the calm music in the room. Feeling the body stretch while doing the forward bend.
- Warrior 1 and 2 – Practice recognize Strong Voice inside while making goals for the future.
- Compliment Game – Ask the children to form a circle. Holding the UFO ball one person goes to the center. The child compliments someone in the circle, making an eye contact and making the ball sound when passing the ball. Now the person with the ball moves to the center and picks a new person to give a compliment. Ask children to listen to the compliments and the sound of the ball carefully. Give children ideas of the new compliments.
Calm
- Belly Breathing – with Hoberman Ball. One child is chosen to be the leader. Ask children to listen to their own breath. Ask children to compliment the leader.
- Twist – both sides.
- Changing Channels – Ask children to lay down in a comfortable position and close their eyes. Imagine being outside and listening to the sounds of wild animals: owls, wolves, frogs, grasshoppers. Now change the channel and imagine being by a stormy ocean and listening to the sound of huge waves and strong winds. Now ask the kids to create their own safe and comfortable place. Ask them what they hear in their calm place.