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