Instructor: Heidi Valdez
Community: Grades 6-8, Middle School Structured Learning Classroom, 45-60 minutes
Plan Creation Date: April 4, 2013
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Community
Academic/Therapeutic/Other goals: Developing compassion towards others and reducing teasing/bullying/harrassment
Props/Music/Resources Required: Anjali Cd, Cd player, Hoberman Sphere, Chime, Ready Set Relax
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Chime – to signal the start of class – bringing stillness and calm to selves and space, have students lead with chime.
- Belly Breathing – with Hoberman Sphere – have students lead and choose number of breaths focusing on working together as a group to follow each other and help with keeping track of how many breaths we take. Have students give compliments to the leaders of belly breathing promoting sense of community and supporting one another.
Activate
- Tree Pose – working first as individuals with tree pose developing attention and focus. Guide students to find a focal point to direct their attention for working with pose. Helping students connect the benefits of tree pose on self-esteem, focusing and accomplishment. Tree pose is challenging, have students imagine a loved one holding on to the grounded leg for more support. Have students come up with positive self-talk while standing in tree pose such as “I am calm, I am focused.”
- Tree Challenge – have students pair up and feel the difference whether more difficult or easier with the help of a partner. Developing trust and teamwork with this challenge helps us to support each other to achieve a common goal – staying in pose and not falling out of it. How do your muscles feel when you have the support of another person rather than just being on your own.
- Tree Circle – have students move on to tree circle and feel the difference when the group is together to work toward a common goal – staying upright, supporting one another in circle. Have students share what they learned and felt in each pose with increasing support from others. Have students share feelings and thoughts. Have them visualize forest of trees versus one or two trees on their own in the middle of a field.
- Tree Challenge – Have students practice with each other or by themselves in tree pose and challenge others to stay in tree pose the longest.
- Trust Walk – having students lead and follow developing trust and compassion for each other.
Calm
- Relaxation – Ready Set Relax – “Drawer Full of Memories” relaxation. Helping students to develop appreciation and recognition of the important people in their lives. Fostering feelings of love and joy.