Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners

CHAPTER 10: THE YOGA CLASSROOM • 221

Harper,  2015). This is a great time for teachers to engage in their own self-care and yoga
practices (Childress & Harper, 2015). Last, as classroom teachers gain experience with yoga
t echniques, they can reinforce the principles and practices of school-based yoga throughout
the school day (Childress & Harper, 2015).

DEVELOPMENTAL ISSUES

Consider the developmental appropriateness of the practice you are delivering (Childress
& Harper, 2015). See Table 10.2 for recommendations of yoga teaching practices for each age
group.

TABLE 10.2 Yoga Practice Recommendations by Age

age Yoga Practice tiPs

Grades K–2 • Yoga sessions 15–45 minutes (the younger and less experienced, the

shorter the session)

• Use clear and simple language


• Use guided relaxation and meditation more than silence


• Use props (breathing buddies; feathers; maximum one prop per session)


• Use themes and stories (link to Language Arts and literature)


• Use animal, elements of nature, and shapes to describe poses


• Establish rituals and routines


• Be consistent and predictable


• Use preparation and predictability to establish a sense of safety


• Make it fun, safe, and warm


• Use play to support learning


• Engage all senses in fun activities, move to stillness and inward focus


• Don’t explain everything; let them experience


• Take time to spell out rules and expectations for participation


• Remember that all behavior communicates a need, listen to how students
  behave and be responsive


• Help them see cause and effect


• Use music intentionally allowing for quiet time for reflection


• Note that younger students can become overwhelmed or distracted by
  too much stimuli


• Offer options for closing their eyes (e.g., choose a focus point)


• Integrate the principles of embodied growth and learning
  Grades 3–5 • Yoga sessions 20–40 minutes


• Integrate yoga games and songs


• Can spend more time in silent practices


• Can increase depth of breathing and relaxation exercises


• Use visualization techniques during relaxation exercises (e.g., images,
  stories).


• Use yoga journals


• Embodied games and practices are still important; engage through play


• Routine still important


• Can begin to move toward a more typical formal yoga class


• Increase focus on alignment in poses

(continued )