224 • PART III: YOGA FOR EDUCATING FOR SELF-REGULATION AND ENGAGEMENT
Any space can be a yoga space. You will need about 12 square feet for each 2 x 6 foot
yoga mat with plenty of extra space. In terms of space needs, for 30 students, you will need
360 square feet (20 × 18 foot space in the middle of the room). Choose a space with safe and
comfortable flooring (Flynn, 2013). Ideally, the floor should be a smooth wood floor or a
low-pile carpet (Flynn, 2013). Carla Tantillo (2012), in her book Cooling Down Your Classroom,
offers an elementary classroom floor plan (p. 24) that designates the areas to the left and
right of desks for yoga (i.e., yoga spots). Over the years of providing yoga in school settings,
I have found that classroom desks and tables can be easily moved (Childress & Harper,
2015). Placing tennis balls on the feet of tables and chairs reduces sound. At the university
we invested in tables that collapse and that have wheels. We can transition from a lecture to
a yoga space in about 5 to 10 minutes. Other spaces I have used for yoga spaces include the
stage, gymnasium, and library. I found the music room and cafeteria can be challenging as
you need to coordinate with cleaning staff to make sure the floor is clean.
Prepare the space you have. Declutter the room as much as possible and minimize
distraction and stimuli (e.g., computers turned off; Flynn, 2013; Gillen & Gillen, 2007).
Make sure the area is quiet (Flynn, 2013). Turn down school-wide announcement speak-
ers, classroom phones, and place a sign on the door “Yoga in session” (Flynn, 2013). Use
natural light or soften the room lights (Flynn, 2013; Gillen & Gillen, 2007). If the view
is beautiful and natural, leave the blinds open (Harper, 2013); if the view is distracting
or chaotic, consider closing the blinds (Harper, 2013). The ideal temperature is between
65 to 78 degrees (Flynn, 2013). Fresh air is nice. Open windows when you can (Flynn,
2013). Although it is wonderful to have a dedicated space, you do not need one to create
the shift into yoga time. Use the removal of shoes, or changing into yoga clothes (which
is optional) as a symbol of entering yoga time. See Chapter 5 of this text for more tips
on creating a mindful space. For school-based yoga you should consider the following
supplies:
- Hang posters and pictures of the yoga poses for reference (Herrington, 2012).
- Yoga mats or substitutes (e.g., beach towels, cut-to-size blankets; Flynn, 2013; Harper,
2013). Herrington (2012) recommends child-size mats; see The Little Yoga Mat Store at
http://www.thelittleyogamat.com)..) - Mat cleaner (use all-natural products; Flynn, 2013; Herrington, 2012).
- Blocks and straps (Flynn, 2013; especially for older students in more typical, formal yoga
classes). - Heavy cotton blankets (can be used as props and for relaxation work; Flynn, 2013; Harper,
2013). - A chime or something to signal the end of meditation (Flynn, 2013; Harrington, 2012).
- A speaker and plug for yoga and relaxation music and scripts (Herrington, 2012).
- A white noise machine to muffle sounds outside of the classroom (Childress & Harper,
2015). - Scarves for breath and movement work (Flynn, 2013).
- Tissues and feathers can be helpful in teaching breath work (Herrington, 2012; see also
Chapter 6 for other tools for meditation; e.g., meditation pebble, breathing buddy). - Pose cards (Flynn, 2013; good brands include Yoga Pretzels and Yoga 4 Classrooms®).
Flynn (2013) also offers tips for making your own pose cards. It can be a fun activity for
the class to do together. - Breathing buddies (Flynn, 2013; see Chapter 5).