222 • PART III: YOGA FOR EDUCATING FOR SELF-REGULATION AND ENGAGEMENT
age Yoga Practice tiPs- Consider introducing more challenging poses
- Introduce longer flowing sequences
- Use partner work
- Allow students to learn through experience rather than telling them
- Give students opportunities to lead
- Give them the rational reason for learning a lesson
- Be mindful of placement of males behind females in class
- Fully explore the principles of embodied growth and learning
Grades 6–8 • Yoga session 45–60 minutes - Silent and reflective practice can extend to 20 minutes
- Encourage proper alignment in poses
- Model proper alignment and suggest adjustments
- Let students try poses together using photos and descriptions of poses
- Integrate the internet in their exploration of new poses and techniques
- Explain the benefits of exercises and poses, bringing in science and health
curricula - Teach lessons along with explanations of their benefits
- Connect yoga tools to developmental challenges (e.g., moodiness,
achievement, social stress, emotional sensitivity) - Allow appropriate expressions of emotions
- Keep a steady pace in sessions
- Use variety in poses, discussions, relaxation, and meditations
- Use sharing and partner work to allow time for peer support and bonding
- Teach how lessons can be integrated into lives out of school
- Emphasize emotional safety, creating a judgment-free space
- Do not allow negative body talk directed toward self or others
- Shift “I can’t” statements to “I’ll try”
- Rotate class schedules to create implementation challenges and
necessitate team work - Establish after-school yoga clubs, yoga-based interventions, and
yoga integrated into wellness and physical education class to create
accessibility - Be mindful of placement of males behind females in class
- Offer time during and after class for clarifying questions and working
through poses - Integrate the principles of embodied growth and learning, applying them
to the students’ current life experiences
Grades 9–12 • Yoga sessions from 60–90 minutes - Yoga sessions are more aligned with formal yoga class structure
- Model proper alignment and suggest adjustments
- Present new concepts, practice tools, and allow for dialogue and reactions
- Use body-positive talk
- Emphasize emotional safety, creating a judgment-free space
- Foster a sense of belonging
- Be discerning when doing partner work
TABLE 10.2 Yoga Practice Recommendations by Age (continued )
(continued )