Instructor: Jennifer Cory
Community: Grades 2-3 after-school group, Lesson #1
Plan Creation Date: July 2012
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Community
Lesson Plan:
Children learn more effectively when they are part of a supportive and caring classroom community. This begins with students feeling free to express their feelings to one another. Another important component of a strong classroom community is the opportunity to help one another solve problems. Partner and group activities facilitate the development of a cohesive learning community.
Read Swimmy by Leo Lionni.
Overview: Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding…until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and teamwork—they can overcome any danger.
Discussion: How did the community of fish work together in the face of danger?
Calm
- Hoberman Breathing Sphere: _________ is going to lead us in our belly breathing for counts of 5. We will need someone to count at the beginning of each inhale. Students give compliments to the leader and counter.
- Mindful Moment: Think of a family member or friend who you have spent some time with this summer. Why is this person important to you? How do they make you feel special? Turn to your partner and take a minute to share some of your thoughts about this person.
Activate/Expand
We’re going to engage in some poses and activities to get our muscles moving and our blood pumping. For today’s activities we will work with a partner. Think about how you can support one another so we can begin to strengthen our community of friends here.
- Partner Pull
- Shoulder Clock
- Tree Pose Challenge
- Tree Circle: Now we’re going to get into our circle. First, we’re going to do the tree alone, without our friends’ support. Now try the tree circle. Notice how it feels different knowing that we have our friends to help us and hold us up as we try to balance.
- Block Creek: Students will have a path of yoga blocks and river rocks to cross. Students will walk across the path trying not to fall into the river. Next, students will be required to walk across the river with their hands under their eyes so they cannot see below. There will be one student on each side to support them as well as a student at the end of the path giving them guidance and encouragement.
- Trust Walk
- Discussion in a circle: Think about the shoulder clock and the tree challenge. Could you have done these activities alone? How did it feel to work with your partner?
Think about the tree circle and block creek. How did your friends help you with these activities? Why is having a community of people in your life important?
Calm
- Volcano Breath / Heart Thoughts: I’d like you to think about people in your life who guide you and support you.
- Floor Twist: As we do this last relaxation activity, I’d like you to think about the family and friends in your life. Think about how they help you in life and decide on some ways that you can help your family and friends.
- Guided imagery from Ready…Set…R.E.L.A.X., Drawer full of Memories, p. 148; The Complete Meal, p. 86; Endless Stream, p. 142; Around the World, p. 144