Theme: Exercise to Stay Healthy
Activity: Children’s Yoga
Materials: Real or imitation candles (Glade type), incense.
Aim: To get a little understanding of the benefits of relaxation and positive thoughts.
What we did: (NB. Because there are candles involved in this activity we recommend 5-6 students to one teacher, and we also appreciate that in many countries the use of real candles would not be permitted). First, we started out with a natural effects CD., (example: birds chirping, waterfall, wind sounds, etc), 6 candles, and 1 incense stick. Then the students came into the class room and they were seated according to the already set candles (example: first row 3 student, then two students come between 1-2 and 2-3, than the sixth student comes between 4-5, total of 6 students).
For example:
#4 #5
#1 #2 #3
Afterward, the students sat in a yoga position and the teacher explained what yoga was and the rules of yoga. Then the teacher lit each one of the candles and dimmed the lights. With all the children seated in front of their candles, the teacher gave the instructions to close their eyes and used guided fantasy to bring them to a peaceful place. When we had finished doing yoga, the students opened their eyes and blew out their candles. Finally, the teacher asked students how they felt, and we talked about the purpose of relaxation and positive thoughts.
