Instructor: Jennifer Faircloth
Community: Grades 6-8, Cross Country Running Group, 60 minutes
Plan Creation Date: October 16, 2015
Yoga Calm Principle/Lesson Goal: Strength
Lesson Plan:
Calm
- Pulse Count – Have children begin by taking pulse count immediately as they are transitioning into the group. Discuss how and why their pulse may be higher than when they are feeling settled and relaxed. Introduce strength and fitness theme and how exercise makes us stronger- mentally and physically.
- Belly Breathing – Have students choose a rock with a word symbolizing the ‘strength’ theme written on it. Practice belly breathing while laying on their back with their rock placed on their stomach. Ask students to close their eyes and think of a time when they needed to be strong, physically or mentally. Ask if anyone would like to share.
- Pulse Count – Have students take their pulse again for thirty seconds. Rest quietly. Ask students to share if they notice a difference in their first pulse count and their second one. Did belly breathing make a difference?
Activate
- Yoga Calm Mat 20 – Have students choose how long they would like to hold certain poses, between 4 and 10 beats. Choose a student to keep time with the drum. Transition for four beats, hold for selected number of beats. Complete sequence three times with different student leaders. Discuss how some poses are harder to hold than others, and each pose requires different levels of muscular strength.
- Partner Pull – This pose helps open side ribs for a fuller and stronger breath, which will help you be a stronger runner and athlete.
Calm
- Child’s Pose – Have them settle down after the partner activity, returning to their own mats.
- Strong Voice – Have students lay on their mats with their eyes closed. Turn your awareness inward while breathing deeply. Slowly read the sentences to them on the Strong Voice Worksheet, with long pauses to allow them time to think and come up with ideas for each question. After reading, ask students to open their eyes and fill out the page without talking. Ask for students to share their responses.
- Relaxation – Read a mindful moment card on strength.