We love Yoga!
This week we introduced mini yoga sessions after lunchtime in order to help prepare us for learning.
The children have benefited from improved concentration and a sense of calmness, which is a great way to begin our learning in the afternoon. Physically, it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. The children have thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and we have extended some of the more 'active' sessions into our P.E lessons.
We begin and end each session with the magic word, 'Namaste.' We take off our shoes and place them next to us to anchor us to our space. The children are encouraged to be mindful of the space around them, to prevent anyone from getting bumped during the exercise.
Each session we are guided through the poses with a story to keep us focused. This culminates in a yoga flow in which all the poses are woven together into a continuous movement.
It's been fantastic to see how positively the children have responded to the sessions and have even taken their practise into the playground at lunchtime.
Yoga is not only a fun and engaging activity for the children. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with a physical activity that's noncompetitive.
Why not share some of your yoga poses at home?
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