Children's Yoga in Schools

OBJECTIVES OF CHILDREN’S YOGA:

To promote self-discipline
To increase the ability to focus attention
To exercise the physical body
To help physical coordination
To help right/left brain coordination
To help children be aware of them selves from the inside—both physically and emotionally
To increase self-confidence
To encourage awareness of the spirit
To have fun (very important from the kids viewpoint)

PRESCHOOL:

Class size: up to 18 with an assistant, 12 without assistant
Length of class: 30 minutes to 45 minutes

ELEMENTARY:

Class size: up to 20 with an assistant, 12 without assistant
Length of class 30 minutes to 45 minutes

JUNIOR HIGH:

Class size: up to 20 with an assistant, 12 without assistant
Length of class: 45 minutes to an hour

ENVIRONMENT:

Room should be large enough to accommodate large motor movement, have carpeting or individual mats, and be somewhat separate from other rooms. A circle works for groups under 10. For large groups, have them sit in staggered lines (not directly beside each other), so that each has enough body room, and all are facing the teacher.



Public School Phys Ed Standards

Elements of Yoga
1. Balance while bending and stretching. 1. Many yoga poses incorporate balancing, and all use stretching.
2. Recognize that skill development requires practice. 2. Practicing over a period of time yields noticeable improvements.
3. Identify various body parts and their location. 3. Instructor discusses and uses graphic demonstration of anatomy.
4. Create movements using different body parts. 4. Yoga utilizes all body parts in its regime.
5. Discuss the connection between food, nutrition and energy. 5. Instructor discusses how food affects our bodies and minds.
6. Develop responsibility for expected behavior on the playground and in the class room. 6. Yoga involves the development of self-discipline and concentration as well as respect for others.
7. Stretch basic muscle groups. 7. The practice of yoga affects every muscle group in the body.
8. Co-ordinate individually, with a partner or in a group. 8. Yoga provides opportunities for group or partner experiences.
9. Understand how the body functions as a whole. 9. a holistic viewpoint of the body is a basic part of yoga.
10. Recognize and appreciate their own and others feelings. 10. Through yoga, a variety of feelings arise, and the instructor emphasizes validating feelings.
11. Move each joint in a full range of motion. 11. Students learn to move every joint, with an emphasis on safely extending the range of motion.
12. Integrate personal meaning through a creative movement experience. 12. Yoga practice is as much an introspective meditation as it is a system of physical exercise, so it encourages personal meaning.