Instructor: Stephanie Swift
Community: Grade 1, Classroom Setting
Plan Creation Date: May 1, 2013
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Stillness
Lesson Plan:
Academic/ Therapeutic/Other Goals: Practice stillness and self-control
Props/ Music/ Lights: Music, CD player, lights dimmed.
Intro: Review last lesson – What did we learn last time I came to visit?
Calm
- Belly Breathing – with Hoberman Sphere: 5-6 Breaths – Classroom leader (student) will lead and choose a counter. After completion student leader/ counter will receive two complements, student may choose to call on classmates
- 4 Volcano Breaths – Classroom leader (student) will lead and choose # of breaths and choose a counter. After completion student leader/ counter will receive two complements, student may choose to call on classmates. With each breath remind students of the Positive Self-Talk. Breath 1- I am strong, Breath 2- I am in control, Breath 3- I can do it, Breath 4- I can be responsible, Ask students to listen to themselves and their bodies and choose the one they need to remember to tell themselves today.
- 3 more Volcano Breaths – silently telling yourself the positive self-talk you need to hear.
Activate
- Tree Pose – Choose student leader in front of room model (after completion student leader will receive two complements, student may choose to call on classmates). “Try to be strong like a tree, with a trunk so sturdy it holds the body still.”
- Read stillness card – “Take the next minute to listen to your breath. See if you can follow your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Imagine your favorite color in and out.”
- Warrior 1 – Choose student leader in front of room model (after completion student leader will receive two complements, student may choose to call on classmates). “Freeze like ice. Look around how did you decide how much space you would need. Can you be one hundred percent still?” Take 5 breaths. As you take the breaths- (Stillness Card) “Think about a time when it was snowing. Watch the big snowflakes fall from the sky and remember how still the world is when it is snowing.”
- Warrior 2 – Twist with arms out to check for personal space. Choose student leader in front of room model (after completion student leader will receive two complements, student may choose to call on classmates). Activate – go into pose. “Be in control of yourself. How does your body feel? How do you know you are in control?”Ask some students to respond to the question- How do you know you are in control of yourself?
- Rock and Roll – “A boat is really calm on the water. Be calm boats still on the water, no movement.” “Waters are now getting a little rough how do we recognize our bodies need to stay balanced and floating (small rocking of bodies). Now make small circles with your body until you come to complete stillness. Hold stillness for 3 breaths.”
Calm
- Ask Students Review Questions – When do we need to know how to be completely still? Do you think being completely still is good for our bodies at times? When do we need to have control over our bodies? If we are out of control can being still help us gain control?
- Relaxation – Lay flat on your backs – Read Page 133 Relaxation from Yoga Calm Book
- Eyes closed, heads on desk, listen to the quiet music, lights down