Instructor: Lorilee Virnig
Community: Grades 2-6, School Setting, 30-40 minutes
Plan Creation Date: January 29, 2016
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Stillness
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Glitter Globe – Shake glitter ball, watch it settle. Ask children to find stillness. Let the busy thoughts, voices, and activities of the day settle—like the glitter in the globe.
- Belly Breathing – Practice belly breathing 3-5 times with Hoberman Sphere.
Activate
- Roots – Activate strong body and close eyes (or lower gaze). Circle around to the right making circles smaller and smaller until you are standing still at center, repeat other direction. How do “roots” help plants return to stillness after a thunderstorm? Are there activities or people who help you find your roots and stillness after an “internal” storm?
- Eagle – Use focal point off in distance. Imagine eagle’s steady gaze to help you find stillness in situations challenging your balance. How does having a focal point help? Did anyone find it easier to an Eagle on one side vs. other?
- Trust Walk – Demonstrate trust walk with volunteer. Why is it important to walk carefully and stay quiet during this activity? What did you notice as leader? As follower? Find your leader and give him or her three complements.
- Upward Mountain to Downward Dog – Show stillness while activating your strength.
- Cat/Cow – Stillness does not mean no sound or movement—it can mean purposeful movement and calming sounds. What are some ways to move purposefully in stillness? What might a cat or cow sound like in the stillness of sleep?
Calm
- Floor Twist – Fingertips shimmer in opposite directions, twist on both sides.
- Belly Breathing – Feel each breath as it comes in and out of your body. Think of your favorite color. Suddenly, the air becomes that color! Imagine watching yourself breathe in and breathe out each colorful breath.
- Personalized Relaxation – Incorporate each child’s favorite color during personalized relaxation adventure.