Instructor: Parker Deen
Community: Grades 3-5, School Setting, 60 minutes
Plan Creation Date: May 1, 2016
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Strength
Setting the Tone: Lights are dimmed, yoga mats in a circle, R. Carlos Nikai flute music playing softly
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Introduce Strength Theme – what does it mean to be strong? Expand idea of strength to include body, mind, heart. Is there a time you felt strong? Is there a time you needed to be strong? What did you do? Share in names circle.
- Names Circle – “I’m Parker and I’m here.” “I see you” option to add: “I felt strong when…” Pass a fossil around like a talking feather. Feel the solid strength of the stone when you hold it in your hand. It’s been here a long time.
- Mindful Bodies– ring chime and let your body be still. If you notice your fingers moving, (etc, etc) let them be still.
- Belly Breathing – with Hoberman Breathing Ball- breathe together as a community, notice how we connect by breathing together. Feel your strong body solid on the earth. Feel the gentle strength of your body as it breathes deeply to fill your lungs. Choose 1 child to lead and have them choose 1 to count; compliments; choose another leader or have the child who lead choose the next person. Teach this if this is the first class, or demonstrate again as needed.
- Check In – Did anyone use anything we’re practicing here in Yoga Calm since we last saw each other? Consider sharing a way you’ve used something from Yoga Calm (like positive self talk, relaxation or energizing activities, etc).
Activate
- Archetype Game – Introduce the game. Rules, (go over ground rules of Yoga Calm if needed) Talk about archetypes- what are they? Can bring in words like activate and freeze to reinforce those. Use a drum beat while moving and stop it to indicate time to freeze. In our group we moved like the following: The Trickster or sneaky self; the Warrior or fierce self; the Peaceful One or quiet thoughtful self; The Wise King or Queen; The Courageous Explorer; The Monster or scary self; the Kind and Friendly Self. Talk about how it felt to move like these parts of yourself. Did you notice that one was easier? Harder?
- Mat 20 – Choose someone to lead if they would like to (for all or a portion- depending on how long the group has been learning Yoga Calm). Reminders: feel your feet on the floor, activate your muscles, let your muscles “hug” your bones to activate, breathe in poses. Can hold poses for a few breathes or to count, depending on what your group is more responsive to. Use language about strength, especially in poses like Mountain, Plank, Lunge and Downward Dog. Press your hands and feet into the earth to feel the strength in your body.
Calm
- Telephone Pole Relaxation – (“Pillar of Strength”) from Ready… Set… Relax (pg. 129). Gently take off your eye pillow, rub your hands together until they’re warm, gently put them over your eyes. When you’re ready, meet sitting up on your mat.
- Volcano Breaths – to close- 2-3 breaths. Picture in your mind, something you’re thankful for in your community (or a way you add something to your community, a way you help your community, a way your community helps you, heart thoughts to someone/something in your community, etc). Fold mats, blankets, put away props and take care of our space.