Lesson Plan
Mindfulness and Movement Lesson Plan
Students will learn simple yoga poses and mindfulness practices to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing while fostering a mind-body connection.
This lesson empowers students with techniques to reduce stress, improve focus, and promote overall balance, essential for academic and personal growth.
Audience
All grade levels
Time
45-60 minutes
Approach
Interactive instruction with guided practices and reflective discussions.
Prep
Material Review and Setup
10 minutes
- Review the Mindfulness and Movement Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with the session structure.
- Prepare the Slide Deck for Yoga & Mindfulness for visual support.
- Go through the Interactive Activity Guide to ensure all activities are clear and engaging.
Step 1
Introduction to Mindfulness
10 minutes
- Briefly introduce mindfulness and its benefits, especially in reducing stress and enhancing concentration.
- Explain how yoga integrates with mindfulness to support physical and mental balance.
Step 2
Warm-Up Activity
5 minutes
- Lead a series of gentle stretching exercises with a focus on mindful breathing.
- Encourage students to pay attention to the sensations in their bodies.
Step 3
Guided Yoga Session
20 minutes
- Demonstrate simple yoga poses such as Mountain, Tree, and Warrior.
- Guide students through each pose, offering modifications and emphasizing the importance of mindful awareness during movements.
Step 4
Reflection and Cool Down
10 minutes
- Initiate a discussion where students share their experiences and thoughts about the yoga session.
- Guide a short meditation or breathing exercise to close the session and consolidate the benefits of mindfulness.
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Slide Deck
Mindfulness and Movement
Integrating Yoga & Mindfulness in School
Introduce the session by welcoming the students and briefly outlining what will be covered. Emphasize that the session will combine mindfulness with simple yoga poses to improve both mental and physical wellbeing.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness helps reduce stress, improve focus, and promote mental clarity. Today, we'll explore how combining mindfulness with yoga can benefit our everyday lives.
Explain the concept of mindfulness and its benefits. Ask the students if they’ve heard of mindfulness before and what it might mean to them. Mention that mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment in a calm, deliberate way.
Warm-Up Activity
Let's begin with gentle stretching exercises. Focus on slow, deep breaths and be aware of how your body feels with each movement.
Guide the students through a gentle warm-up. Encourage them to follow along with each stretching exercise and focus on their breathing.
Guided Yoga Session
Follow along as we practice simple poses:
• Mountain Pose
• Tree Pose
• Warrior Pose
Remember: move mindfully, and listen to your body.
Introduce and demonstrate the yoga poses: Mountain, Tree, and Warrior. Provide cues for modifications, and remind students to focus on mindful movement with each pose.
Reflection & Cool Down
Discuss how the session made you feel. Let's finish with a brief meditation or breathing exercise to consolidate our learning.
Wrap up the session by inviting students to share their thoughts and experiences. Lead a brief meditation or deep breathing exercise to conclude the session, reinforcing the mind-body connection.
Activity
Interactive Activity Guide for Yoga & Mindfulness
This guide is designed to support your lesson on integrating yoga and mindfulness in the classroom. Use this activity guide to ensure a smooth, engaging, and interactive session. Each section includes prompts, questions, and tips to encourage participation and deeper exploration of the mind-body connection.
Warm-Up Activity
Instructions
- Begin with gentle stretching: Lead your students in a series of simple, slow stretches to wake up the body. Emphasize moving with awareness and deep, deliberate breaths.
Prompts for Engagement
- Ask: "How do you feel when you take slow, deep breaths?"
- Invite students to share any sensations they notice in their body as they stretch.
Tips for Success
- Encourage modifications for students who may need gentle variations of the stretches.
- Remind students that the goal is to tune into their bodies and experience each movement mindfully.
Guided Yoga Session
Instructions
- Demonstrate Simple Yoga Poses: Walk your students through the following poses:
- Mountain Pose: Stand tall, feet hip-width apart, with your arms relaxed by your sides. Focus on your breath and stand strong.
- Tree Pose: Stand on one leg and place the sole of the opposite foot on your inner thigh or calf. Bring your hands together at your chest or raised upward.
- Warrior Pose: Step into a wide stance. Bend the front knee, keep the back leg straight, and extend your arms out. Focus on feeling grounded and balanced.
Prompts for Engagement
- Ask: "What does it feel like to balance on one leg? What do you notice when you shift your weight?"
- Have students share their experiences with each pose, including any difficulties with balance or posture.
Tips for Success
- Offer modifications such as using a wall for Balance in the Tree Pose or lowering the intensity in the Warrior Pose.
- Remind students that every movement should be performed mindfully, paying close attention to the body's cues.
Reflection and Cool Down
Instructions
- Facilitate a Group Discussion: Gather the students in a circle and invite them to share their thoughts. Focus on how the activities made them feel both physically and mentally.
- Guided Meditation/Breathing Exercise: Lead a short session that focuses solely on deep, calming breaths. Ask students to close their eyes, relax, and focus on the sound and rhythm of their breathing.
Prompts for Engagement
- Questions to ask:
- "How did your body feel during and after the yoga session?"
- "Did you notice any changes in your mood or focus when you practiced mindfulness?"
- Encourage students to reflect on and jot down how these practices might help them in everyday life.
Tips for Success
- Support quieter students by asking direct questions in a gentle tone.
- Allow plenty of time for students to express their thoughts and feelings about the exercises.
Follow-Up Points
- Building a Routine: Discuss with students how they might integrate a short yoga or mindfulness practice into their daily routines, even at home.
- Journaling: Invite students to keep a mindfulness journal to record their progress, challenges, and successes over time.
- Peer Sharing: Create opportunities for students to lead a part of the session in future classes, reinforcing their learning and building confidence.
This Interactive Activity Guide is meant to make your session on yoga and mindfulness as engaging and beneficial as possible. Enjoy the process of connecting with your students through movement and mindful awareness!