AGES:  2-6, 7-11

MATERIALS

• Halloween music and something to play music (i.e. speaker)
• Halloween coloring  pages
• Markers or supplies for decorating mini pumpkins
• Witches hat

OBJECTIVES/GOALS/INTENTIONS
Use imagination and get the kids excited about Halloween!

MUSICAL MUSINGS
Play some scary or fun Halloween music in the background for either parts of or the entire lesson.

CONNECTING CIRCLE
1. The YogaKids Pledge or, take a minute to clearly explain your expectations regarding participation and behavior.
2. Introduce the Theme “Halloween Night in <your town>”
3. Welcome song (sung to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)
Sit in Pretzel and do torso circles right and then left while you sing,
Welcome to YogaKids
YogaKids….YogaKids
Welcome to YogaKids
So glad you’re here!

QUIET QUESTS
Magic Witches Hat Breath – Inhale hands in prayer over head, and exhale hands to heart. (several rounds)

POSES AS PATHWAYS TO LEARNING
Surya Namaskar – Do any variation of sun salutations you like. A sun salutation is one way of thanking the sun for coming out every day, for providing us with warmth and light and vitamin D. Vitamin D gives us healthy bones, allowing us to grow and stay strong. It allows our food to grow for us to eat, giving our pumpkins and apples color and vitamins. This dance makes us strong, flexible, alert, and coordinated. And it’s good for the heart! Ecological Echoes, Body Benefits

Sunrise, Sunset – The sun is setting on Halloween night, and we are ready for a night of fun. The moon is bright, and shining down on our Halloween night. Poses as Pathways

Mountain (Witch’s Broom) – We are witches broomsticks! Take in a deep breath, and then float around the room on the broom stick, blowing out all our air. When all our air is out, our broom turns into a mouse.

Child’s Pose (Mouse) – Repeat Witch’s Broom to Mouse a few times.

Now, it is time for our witch to make her special Halloween Witches Brew. Stand in a wide stance Mountain and begin stirring the pot clockwise then counterclockwise. What will our witch put into her brew this Halloween? First, she puts in two handfuls of bugs! And stir the pot!

Bug Pose or Happy Baby
Stir the pot! Next she adds 4 large green lizards.

Lizard – Can you say, “Large Lucky Lizards Land in our Witches Brew?” Laughing Language
Stir the pot! Next our witch puts in two twisted twigs from her Oak tree.

Tree Pose
Stir the pot! The witch reaches deep down into her pocket and plucks out two eyeballs and throws them into the brew.

Ball pose – Have the children roll back and forth on their mats.
Stir the pot!

Next the witch puts in the skull of an eagle.
Eagle Pose

And a handful of feathers from a wise, old owl.
360 Degree Owl
And stir the pot!

The witch then puts in two wings of a magic butterfly…
Butterfly

Ask the children if they have anything they want to put in, going around the circle and putting in their ideas with or without doing yoga poses to go along with what they come up with.

The last thing the witch puts in is two shells of a snapping turtle.
Turtle – Turtles have been on the earth for more than 200 million years. Several species of turtles can live to be over 100 years old. The oldest documented turtle lived to be over 200. Ecological Echoes

The witch laughed. She was pleased that all her ingredients were in. <BIG LAUGH!> She put on her magic Witch’s hat.

Stay sitting with wide legs and stir making big circles in both directions. Then, do a Magic Spell together, saying softly at first, then repeating getting louder and louder.
“Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”

Witches Hat Pose (Down Diggity Down Dog) – Have the kids make a triangle out of themselves in this pose.
The witch’s companion, her dog, howled at the moon with excitement.

Up Uppity Doggie Up – Howl at the moon.
Go back and forth between Witch’s Hat to Updog several times howling.

Now that her work was done, it was time for the witch to rest.
Rest in the Pumpkin Patch – Have the kids lie down and take 13 breaths. Expand the belly like a pumpkin
It is time for us to celebrate Halloween with some Trick or Treating.

Row Row Row Your Boat – Repeat the mantra as you do the pose:
Trick or Treat (clapping feet on floor), Smell My Feet (hands and soles of feet clapping)

Freeze and Flow – If you have time, include the Yoga Freeze and Flow game. When the music stops, take turns having each child wear the Witch’s hat and teach a yoga pose to the group.

Sunrise/Sunset – The sun is setting on our spooky Halloween night, time for us to sleep.

Twist and Blow

Savasana

VISUAL VIGNETTE
Have the children color a Halloween coloring page, or decorate pumpkins.

 

Learn to write and teach your own Lesson Plan!

Winter officially starts on December 21, and ends on March 19.. In this fun YogaKids lesson plan we will explore the winter season’s animals, characteristics and interesting facts while practicing yoga in a fun, safe and educational way.

AGES:  2-6, 7-11

MATERIALS
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, paper, scissors, markers, tape or glue

KEY ELEMENTS
Ecological Echoes

SHORT DESCRIPTION/TOPIC 
We will explore the winter season’s animals, characteristics and interesting facts while practicing yoga in a fun, safe and educational way.

DISCUSSION POINTS
“Winter officially begins on December 21 and ends on March 19.  What happens towards the end of fall that lets us know winter is getting closer?”  (Weather gets colder, leaves fall, days become shorter etc… )

CONNECTING CIRCLE
Share what you like about winter
Peace Breath –As you say the word “Peace”, feel the peace inside you.  Affirmations Element, Quiet Quests
“This pose Increases oxygenation and triggers the relaxation response in the body” Body Benefits Element

POSES AS PATHWAYS TO LEARNING
“During winter, the sun’s rays hit the Earth at a shallow angle, which minimizes the amount of energy that hits any given spot. Additionally, long nights and short days prevent the Earth from warming up”. Ecological Echoes  “Let’s warm up by saluting the sun.”
Sun Salutation  – teach any variety of a sun salutation

“What do people do to prepare for the winter season?”  (Chop wood, buy winter clothes,)
Wood chopper- “Time to chop wood to keep our house warm” – Chop back and forth several times. “We need 10 logs for the fire, let’s count 10 chops.”
Note:  for older kids, count by 5’s or 10’s.  Math Medley Element

“Over winter break, many people visit their relatives, do any of you?  Let’s take an imaginary trip to our Grandmas on a boat.”
Row your Boat – sit up on the tailbone, balance the legs in the air, row your arms in a circle.

“Many people take car trips to visit relatives:”
Driving My Car:  Sit in a “L” sit and pretend to be driving a car, move forward by lifting up your tail right then left, then move back.  “Think of a place you could drive to in your imaginary car that starts with the same letter as your first name, Marsha Memphis, or Don Denver Julie Jacksonville” (Note:  For younger students, the teacher should create the locations for the kids) Laughing Language Element

 “Snow falls in many parts of the country in the winter, imagine cool snowflakes softly falling on you”
Finger Dancing– Move from the head to the toes pretending that snow is falling all over you.  Quiet Quest

“Birds migrate south for warmer weather in the winter.  Let’s practice a bird pose”
Eagle –Squat down make an “x” out of the arms.  Brain Balance Element, Ecological Echoes

“Geese fly in formation and work together as a team; we will now practice a pose that takes teamwork”
Circle of Friendship flowers – Hold hand in a circle.  Sit back in child’s pose, inhale and rise up opening the arms wide, exhale back to child’s pose.  We all Win Element

Polar Bear – Sit in child’s pose, make a cup out of your hands, rest your nose in the cup.  “Polar Bear is a cold weather animal There are five nations with polar bears: U.S. (Alaska), Canada, Russia, Greenland, and Norway.”  Ecological Echoes

 Reading Comes Alive with Yoga Element
Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle – Teach the following poses while reading the book:
Lion – Sit in child’s pose, rise up and open the back of your throat as you breathe out with a quiet, throaty “Rrrroar.” Quietly roar.  Practice this pose round robin style and have one child start, by rising up and doing a unique roar, have the children repeat this, one by one until everyone has done the pose. Bridge of Diamonds Element
Flamingo – stand with one leg and the opposite elbow bent, switch sides.
Cobra- lie on the belly, push into the hands and rise up into a back bend.  “A snake’s backbone is made up of many vertebrae attached to ribs.  Humans have approximately 33 vertebrae and 24 ribs.  Snakes have between 200-400 vertebrae with as many ribs attached! That is what makes them so flexible and helps them move along! Ecological Echoes Element, Awesome Anatomy Element

VISUAL VIGNETTES
Cut two large circles, and 3 small circles for each child in advance.  Let the children paste the two big circles on to a piece of construction paper to form the polar bears face.  The Three small circles will be the ears and nose.  Let the children decorate the eyes and mouth.  Be creative!

QUIET QUESTS – Guided Visualization
“Lie down on your backs and get comfortable, close your eyes.  Listen to the sweet sound of your own breath ….in…..and out……Feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breath…….pause………..Imagine you just spent the day sledding or skiing with your family and now you are resting.  You can hear the snow as it gently hits the walls and roof of your house….pause…….Once again feel the gentle rise and fall of your belly.  Up…..and down…….pause several minutes.  Now bring your attention back to the room, gently wiggle your fingers and toes…..slowly roll onto your right side and rest….gently push yourself up to sitting.

CLOSING CIRCLE
Fountain of Oms – Everyone chants OM at their own pace and rhythm. We start together, but everyone’s duration is different. Just let the OMs keep coming at various intervals; some short, some long.

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Learn to write and teach your own Lesson Plan!

It’s time to celebrate a new decade and welcome in 2020  — Take your YogaKids on a trip through 2019 and into 2020 through movement with this FREE New Years Lesson Plan from YogaKids! It’s the perfect teaching tool for the home, studio or classroom.  Help your little Yogis set good intentions for the new year.

AGE GROUP:  3-6, 7-11

MATERIALS:  music, construction paper, crayons/markers, black fine tip markers, white craft glue or glue stick, scissors, magnet strip (optional)

SHORT DESCRIPTION/TOPIC:  To celebrate the passing year, and the beginning of a new one and to set positive intentions (resolutions).

DISCUSSION POINTS:  We are going to take a journey through 2019, and experience some of the highlights of the year.  We will also welcome in 2020, and set intentions for a good year.

CONNECTING CIRCLE:  Sit in easy sit and do torso circles while you sing the Welcome Song (sung to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down)

Welcome to YogaKids, YogaKids, YogaKids,
Welcome to YogaKids
We’re so glad you’re here!
Musical Musings

YogaKids Pledge:
“I will stay on my mat!”
“I will keep my hands and my feet to myself”
“I will always do my best”
(Include any pledges that would be appropriate for your group)

Peace Breath – Hoping for peace in the coming year; send peace to the circle, to your town, to the world.  (Inhale and on the exhale quietly say the word “peace”) Quiet Quests

POSES AS PATHWAYS/INTEGRATE THE ELEMENTS

Sun rise/Sun set – The sun rose on a January 1^st day 2019, one year ago.  (Sit on your heels with hands by the right foot, rise up, lift the arms up and drop over to the left side) Ecological Echoes
Sun Salutation – Play Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves and teach any variety of Sun salutations you like appropriate for your group.  Musical Musings

January brought snow, and cold winds, we warmed our noses with Polar Bear Pose.  (Child’s pose – make a cup out of the hands and bury the nose in the hands) Ecological Echoes
Fun Polar Bear Facts

1. Polar bears are not white, the hair of a polar bear is actually transparent, and reflects light.
2. They’re great swimmers and spend a lot of time in the water, some scientists classify them as marine mammals.
3. They have tantrums. Experts have observed frustrated polar bears throw chunks of ice, kick piles of snow or growl in disappointment after losing prey they’ve been trying to catch.

February came and we celebrated Valentines Day by spending time with people we love.
Partner Pose – Sit and Twist (Sit cross-legged in front of your partner with your knees touching. Put your right arm behind your back, reach out with your left hand and grab your partner’s right hand. turn away from your partner, twist your spine, and look over your right shoulder.  Unfurl and change sides.  Bridge of Diamonds

 March brings a celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.  We looked for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  Rainbow Pose (side plank lift up the hip and drop the head making a rainbow shape, modify with knee down) Ecological Echoes
Fun facts to share about rainbows,

1. “Roy G. Biv” is a way to remember the colors of the rainbow; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet.
2. Rainbows have relaxing and healing qualities and are the universal symbol of peace and harmony

In April we celebrate the rain, and the blossoming plants and flowers with Acorn to tree – Tap on the backs of each child while they are in acorn (Child’s Pose) to symbolize the rain, once they are tapped, they grow into a tree (Tree Pose).  Ecological Echoes and We all Win

We Reach for the Sun and welcome in May (Reach the right arm up, bring it to the solar plexus as you say “Ha”, repeat left) Bring the warm energy of the sun into your own energy center. Ecological Echoes

In June we go for a Boat ride on the lake.  (lean back, lift the feet of the floor and balance, circle the arms and pretend to row your boat.)  Share fun facts about muscles.  Awesome Anatomy

1. The largest muscle is the gluteus maximus, the muscles of the buttocks.
2. One of our strongest muscles is the tongue

In July we celebrate the birth of our country, The United States of America

Happy Birthday Candle Series (Easy sit to plough to shoulder stand, back to easy sit) Have the children hold their shoulder stand, and let each child blow out the candles.  Have the student’s count the candles as they blow them out.  Older students can count by 5’s or 10’s.  Math Medley

In August we head to the sea shore for vacation where we find many fun sea creatures:

Crab – crabs have been around since the Jurassic period, 200 million years ago. (walk sideways on hands and feet, like a crab)
Seal – Because they can spend months at sea, seals can sleep underwater.  (from sitting, click heels together, roll back and click the heels and “Arf Arf” like a seal) Laughing Language, Ecological Echoes, Math Medley

In September we head back to school, and greet old friends we haven’t seen all summer  Namaste – (bow to each child in the circle and say “Namaste”) Bridge of Diamonds

In October we celebrate Halloween.

Pumpkin – A French explorer in 1584 first called pumpkins “gross melons,” which was translated into English as “pompions”. (roll like a ball using your fingers on the top of your head as a pumpkin’s stem.)  Poses as Pathways, Laughing Language

In November we celebrate Thanksgiving, and give thanks for all that we have to be grateful for.  Let each child share something they are thankful for. Bridge of Diamonds

December is the time to celebrate New Year’s Eve with Party Blower Breath  (have the children pretend to blow slowly into a party blower, and take several silent breaths)  Quiet Quests

It is time to set some resolutions for the new year.  Resolution Magnet Visual Vignette

How to make it:  Cut a sheet of white construction paper in half.  Across the top write “I RESOLVE”.  Choose your resolution (i.e. “to keep my room clean”).  Draw a colorful picture depicting your resolution below the words.  Glue your artwork to a piece of construction paper.  Glue a magnet strip to the back of your resolution art and hang on the refrigerator.

Relaxation and guided visualization – Take the class on a journey of the past year, ask them to think of an experience they had that they really enjoyed.  Have the students re-live that experience.  Ask the students to share their experience if they wish.  Quiet Quests

Fountain of Oms (Chant several “Om’s”) Quiet Quests

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Learn to write and teach your own Lesson Plan!

It’s that special time of year again! It’s time to celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Las Posadas. Teach your YogaKids the story of these special holidays through movement with this FREE Holiday Lesson Plan from YogaKids! It’s the perfect teaching tool for the home, studio or classroom.

 

Holiday Lesson Plan

AGE GROUP:  7-11, 12 +

MATERIALS:  Cotton balls, straws, Christmas tree cutouts, markers or crayons.

KEY ELEMENTS:  Poses as Pathways

SHORT DESCRIPTION/TOPIC:  Children will learn about holiday traditions around the world.

DISCUSSION POINTS:  We will learn about holiday traditions from different areas around the world including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Las Posadas.

CONNECTING CIRCLE:  Share a holiday tradition in your family.

POSES AS PATHEWAYS/INTEGRATE THE ELEMENTS

Peace Breath – Send peace to peoples of every nation Quiet Quest, Bridge of Diamonds

Sunrise/Sunset – The winter solstice occurs when one of the earth’s poles has its maximum tilt away from the Sun. It happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere (Northern and Southern).  Ecological Echoes, Math Medley

Cat/Cow – In Iceland, there’s a special Christmas tradition that involves a very special cat that roams the streets one time per year.  Poses as Pathways, Ecological Echoes

Downward Facing Dog (Inn pose) – Las Posadas means “the inn” or “the lodging” and is a Mexican Christmas tradition that symbolizes the Biblical journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.  Poses as Pathways

Warrior Series with Affirmations – Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.  “I am the light” “I share my light”.  Affirmations, Poses as Pathways

Tree Pose –Evergreens are a symbol of eternal life and rebirth. Latvia is home to history’s first decorated Christmas tree, back in 1510.  Ecological Echoes, Poses as Pathways

Half Moon Pose – Chinese New Year is the Chinese festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20.   Poses as Pathways

Star (Jumping Jacks) Wise men from the east were inspired by the star of Bethlehem to travel to Jerusalem to meet baby Jesus.  Ecological Echoes, Poses as Pathways

Caterpillar to Butterfly – In South Africa, every December locals feast on a seasonal delicacy, deep-fried caterpillars!  Poses as Pathways, Ecological Echoes

Birthday Candle Series – The menorah is the nine-branched candelabra used during the celebration of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Poses as Pathways

Circle of Friendship Flowers – The poinsettia is native to Mexico and Central America, where it was known as “Flower of the Holy Night”. It is believed to have been used as a holiday decoration as early as the 17th century.  Ecological Echoes, Poses as Pathways, We all Win

Table of Contents – Kwanzaa is a week-long annual celebration to honor African heritage and is celebrated with gift-giving and a feast.  Poses as Pathways

Bubble Fish – The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration.  Don’t push too hard on your cranium which is part of the skull.  Poses as Pathways, Ecological Echoes, Awesome Anatomy

WE ALL WIN

Traveling Snowballs – Have students blow a cotton ball across the circle with a straw, have them see how far they can move their cotton ball.  Quiet Quest, We all Win

VISUAL VIGNETTE

Have the kids color Christmas tree cut outs making two that match perfectly.

MUSICAL MUSINGS

Play “Let it Snow”, “Frosty the Snow Man” or any holiday song while the kids draw.

WE ALL WIN GAME

Partner Christmas Tree Matching Game – Lie the Christmas trees face down and have the children take turns trying to find two trees that match.

QUIET QUESTS – Winter Meditation

Lie down, close your eyes, and begin to relax.  Each time you exhale, feel more and more relaxed.  Pause.  Imagine lying in the snow in your back yard on a cool winter night.  You are all bundled up with your warm winter clothes, so you aren’t cold, you feel warm and safe.  Pause.  You look up and see the night sky full of stars.  Pause.  Each star sparkles bright in the dark sky lighting up your whole yard.  Pause.  Imagine feeling safe and warm, as if each star is protecting you.  Pause.  Imagine that it starts to softly snow.  Pause.  You feel soft, wet snowflakes fall on your cheeks…..your chin….and each hand.  Pause.  Imagine feeling safe and warm.  Pause.  Stay and rest here for a few minutes.  Pause.  Now bring your attention back to the room, wiggle your fingers and your toes.  Slowly roll onto you side.  Come to sitting.

 

CLOSING CIRCLE

Share Time – allow the children to share their experience during the meditation.  Quiet Quest

Grug – Hugging releases pleasure hormones, it makes you feel good.  Body Benefits, We all Win

 

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Learn to write and teach your own Holiday Lesson Plan!

It’s that special time of year again! It’s time to celebrate Thanksgiving — and encourage the greatness of gratitude in our lives. Teach your YogaKids the story of this special holiday through movement with this FREE Thanksgiving Lesson Plan from YogaKids! It’s the perfect teaching tool for the home, studio or classroom.

AGES: 2-6, 7-11

MATERIALS

• Music and music player (Suggested Music: Native American drums, Hallelujah by K.D. Lang, Colors of the Wind by Judy Kuhn, We Are Native American Tribes by Ella Jenkins)
• Soft ball
• Paper tree and leaves
• Markers/crayons/pens

OBJECTIVE

To learn the story of Thanksgiving through movement. To learn a Sun Salutation as an example of how people from around the world celebrate and give thanks every day.

VISUAL VIGNETTE

Prepare a paper tree and leaves. Hang the tree on the wall, and as students enter the space, have them write on the leaves what they are thankful for. Have the students tape the paper leaves onto the tree.

CONNECTING CIRCLE

Introduce the Theme – We will start celebrating around the world with yoga today. We will start in the United States, celebrating THANKSGIVING!

Centering Circle – Say your name and your favorite thanksgiving food and roll a ball to another student and ask them to share. Go around the circle until everyone has shared.

POSES AS PATHWAYS/INTEGRATE THE ELEMENTS

Take 5 Breath – Let’s learn about yoga first! Let’s learn yoga breathing…

Sit cross-legged. Lift one finger at a time as you breathe in through your nose and count in your mind: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Pause for a second with your hand up. Slowly breathe out through your nose and count backward – 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, putting down one finger at a time for each number. Repeat.

Warm-up– Include any warm up poses you like here.

Volcano – Once upon a time, about 400 years ago, some English settlers were angry with their king!They were not allowed to worship the God they wanted to, so they decided to leave!

Begin in Mountain pose. Bring your fingertips together at the chest. Jump your feet apart. Place your palms together at the center of your body in Namaste Position. Breathe in. Watch your hands as you raise them over your head. Breathe out as you explode your arms outward. Lower them to your sides and return your hands to Namaste. Erupt and release again and again. Make big, exploding volcano noises. Jump your feet back together when you’ve finished erupting.

Boat – They bought a boat called the Mayflower. And sailed it across the ocean.

Begin in L-Sitting pose and place both hands, palms down, alongside your hips. Lengthen your arms and spine. Lean back and lift your legs up. Balance. Stretch your arms forward, palms up. Breathe in and out. Row your arms forward. Reverse, and row your arms backward.

Waves – It was a hard journey because there were a lot of waves.

Sit on the ground and bend your knees, placing your feet on the floor hip-distance apart. Move your knees and legs back and forth to the left and right, as they ebb and flow like waves. Use this as a transition pose between the wet poses. It is a fun and accessible hip opener.

Moo and Meow and Yawn and Flop – And they did not have much room to stretch out on the boat.

Begin in All Fours Pose. Line up your wrists under your shoulders. Spread your fingers wide and arch your spine to the sky. Loosen your neck and drop your head down. Breathe out long as you meow. Now lift your chest forward and look up with big cow eyes. Dip your belly down and tilt your sitting bones up. Your back will sink down like a cow’s. Make cow lips and moo deeply from the back of your throat. Go back and forth, meowing and mooing.

Stand in Mountain pose. Yawn as you stretch your arms upward with a big yawning sound and then flop forward in Rag Doll. Repeat several times.

Sunrise/Sunset – They were in the boat for 60 days and nights.

Sit on your heels. Open and close your wings several times. Then open your wings and interlace your fingers above your head. Stretch your arms up as you lift your buttocks off your heels with an inhalation. Exhale and drop your hips to the right as the arms drop left like the setting sun. Inhale and arch your arms overhead like the rising sun. Then, drop your arms to the right as the hips drop left. Repeat.

Tarzan’s Thymus Tap – They tried to stay healthy.But many got very sick and some died.

Start in any of the base poses, seated or standing. Make two fists and pound your chest. Pound and tap under your arms, too. Howl, yowl and yodel. Feel the power and vibration of your sounds.

Child’s Pose – After 60 days, they reached America at Plymouth Rock.

Begin in Heel-Sitting pose. Open your knees a little, so your belly relaxes between your thighs. Bend at the hips and fold forward, letting your shoulders drop down away from your ears and spine. Your arms lie back along the sides of your legs with open palms facing upward. Place your forehead on the floor. Turn your head to one side and take a few breaths. Then, turn to the other and do the same.

Tree/Leaf and Woodchopper – They needed to get warm, so they started to chop down the trees.

Begin in Mountain Pose. Lift one foot and press your foot against the inside of your other leg. You can use your hand to place your foot anywhere between your ankle and inner thigh. Avoid the knee joint. As your balance gets stronger, you’ll be able to raise your foot higher up your leg. Bring your hands to your chest, palms together in Namaste position. Then raise your arms up above your head. Stretch them out wide, like the branches of a tree. Separate your fingers. Balance and breathe. Now repeat on the other side.

Take a stance like a woodchopper with the feet hip-distance apart. Interlace the fingers and swing your ax over your head with an inhale. Exhale as you bring your ax down and split your log. Come back and forth several times. Remain down and then roll up slowly. Repeat.

Warrior Series – They had a long, hard, hungry, cold winter, but they tried to stay strong.

Begin in Mountain pose. Step one leg back while bending your front leg. Keep your hips facing frontward as you raise your arms straight above your head. Say, “I am bold!” From Bold Warrior, turn your back foot slightly outward and bring your arms down parallel to the floor. Keep your front knee bent directly over your ankle. Say, “I am brave.” From Brave Warrior, shift your weight onto your front leg. Pick up your back leg and stretch it behind you. Keep both legs as straight and strong as possible. Stretch your arms forward and say, “My own power I can hold!” Repeat on the other side.

Child’s Pose – When it got warm out, they needed to plant food, but the land was different here, and they had trouble. They also needed seeds.

Acorn to Tree – The Native American Indians had been watching the settlers, and they decided to help. So they shared their seeds and taught them how to plant.

Pretend to dig a small hole. Place an imaginary acorn in the hole. Pat it down and water it. Now pretend to be the acorn in Child’s Pose. Act out the process of an acorn becoming a tree, ending in Tree/Leaf pose.

The settlers were so happy and the Native Americans were too, because they grew so much food, and the settlers wouldn’t have to be hungry anymore! So they celebrated! And we still celebrate that friendship and cooperation today! If we take time each day to be thankful, we are happier and healthier.

Sun Salutation – In India, many people do a Sun Salutation each day to be thankful for the sun rising each day – let’s learn it!

There are numerous styles of Sun Salutations. This is one example. Start in Namaste, raising your arms overhead and stretching upward. Fold forward into Ragdoll pose. Step back with one leg into a lunge. Step back with the other leg into Lizard pose. Slowly come down to the floor with your knees, chest and chin. Bring your hips down to the floor, and lift up into S is for Snake pose. Curl your toes under and stretch into Down Doggity Doggy Down pose. Repeat, beginning with the opposite leg and finishing in Namaste.

Cool Down –Include any cool down or closing poses here.

QUIET QUESTS

“Waves” – Guided Imagery by Maureen Murdock

As you breathe in… and… out, imagine that you are on a wave on the sea going up… and… down… up…and… down. You are perfectly safe, either lying on your back in a sailboat being gently rocked by the motion of the sea. And as you continue to move up… and… down… back… and… forth, you will notice the warmth of the sun relaxing you and feel a gentle ocean breeze. You may notice the color of the sky, the smell of the sea air, and the sound of sea birds above. You notice a sense of calm throughout your entire body as you experience the gentle rocking motion of the sea. Allow yourself to feel nurtured and supported. Think about what you are thankful for. (pause 1 minute) Now it is time to come back. I will ring the bell 3 times. On the third time, slowly open your eyes. Now I will ring the bell 3 more times. When I ring it the third time, please slowly roll to your side. Now, begin to wiggle your toes and fingers, and when I ring the bell the 3rd time, please come to a seated pose.

CLOSING CIRCLE

Namaste Song – Use the song along with the movements to end your YogaKids classes.

Namaste, Namaste, Namaste, Namaste
(Put your hands together at your heart and bow to each other.)

I am the light and the light is me.
(Point toward yourself and then to the sun.)

Namaste, Namaste, Namaste, Namaste
(Put your hands together at your heart and bow to someone.)

I shine bright with all I see.
(Move your Namaste upward like in Volcano pose. Separate and arc your arms outward through the air, and return them to your heart in the Namaste position.)

The light in me sees the light in you.
(Gently touch your hand to your heart, palms down and extend your arm out to gesture toward another person with an open hand.)

Bow to me, I’ll bow to you.
(Place your hands together at your heart and bow to someone.)

The light in me sees the light in you.
(Point and bow to someone.)

Bow to me, I’ll bow to you.
(Place your hands together at your heart and bow to someone.)

Namaste, Namaste, Namaste, Namaste
(Repeat)

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Learn to write and teach your own Thanksgiving Lesson Plan!