The Importance of a Structured Lesson Plan for Children Yoga
Beyond the fact we are teaching the discipline of Yoga, adopting a structured Lesson Plan is both efficient and comprehensive from the learning point of view. It will allow the teacher to ensure that the adequate sections of the curriculum are covered, including teaching a range of breathing techniques, a range of relaxation techniques and different methods of practice across the term. Failing this your lesson plan is likely to be repetitive (unsufficient coverage of curriculum) or random (difficulty in learning and progression for the children)\
For a teacher, having a whole term of lesson plans, with progression, at the ready can help bring confidence and poise. Preparation is a must, but over the years, you will be able to fine tune your lesson plans and bring inspiration of the day or introduce slight variations as needed. No last minute panic or manic looking for your props and ideas at the last minute.
A structured lesson plan also makes sure that there is a beautiful sequencing or arch in your class, starting slowly, taking time for rituals and catching up, warming the relevant areas of the body, building to some key poses, perhaps including game or partner poses prior to slowing down again ahead of your short relaxation. This structure is inherently a ‘Yoga sequencing Recipe that works’ and teaches children how we do Yoga, what comes first, what comes last etc…. This is essential as children will eventually be able to practice at home on their own safely and this follows the tradition of Yoga.
Breaking the Mould!
Then on occasion, it is a lot of fun to go Freestyle and take a break from the structure. For instance, for our Halloween class yesterday we worked with 4 poses: Skeleton (Mountain). Werewolf (Dog), Zombie (Squat Goddess) and Witch (Chair). We made sure to identity which parts of the body to warm up and practiced poses individually. Then we practiced partner and group poses. Then finally we built these 4 poses into a game of ‘Musical Chairs’.
Breathing could be themed like a ‘Witches Cackle !’ or a long breath out ‘Werewolf Howl’. This teaches the children that both Structure /Stability and Creativity / Flexibility are important and work well together. Aren’t they both the Essence of Yoga!
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