© 2010
YodaYoga.ca
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada

Information for teachers

Yoda Yoga™ Curriculum

1. An eight-week modular program specifically designed for the elementary school system, from junior kindergarten to grade 6, fulfilling the daily 20 minute fitness allotment period prescribed by the Ministry of Education.

a. One class per week to be held in the classroom, accommodating existing classroom features and furniture. However, we would recommend coordinating the planning of the Yoda Yoga class with classes who are using larger rooms, such as the library or gym when possible.

b. The curriculum is comprised of strategic sequencing of traditional yoga postures, and breath awareness, as well as centering and calming techniques. The key element to the program is a series of Yoga narratives which allows the students to practice a specific sequence of poses while a story is read by one of the instructors. Each week, one of the poses is examined and practiced in depth. By the end of the eight week session, the children have learned the sequence, and developed body awareness resulting from practicing the pose of the week and using a drawing exercise to become aware of the muscles being used.

c. Student materials for the above program:
i) Pose of the week Colouring pages
ii) At the end of each module, each student is given a Yoda Yoga booklet, containing the Breathing exercise, narrative pose sequence and yoga tips to be used as a practice reference guide.
Note: Photocopying of required materials and colouring crayons to be provided by the school.

2. The Four Pillars of the Yoda Yoga Program:

i) Breath Awareness Warm-up Circle Exercise
ii) Pose of the Week
iii) Yoga Narrative
iv) Body Awareness Colouring

These four elements support a new focus each week, i.e. proper posture training, focus, balance, breathing, healthy body image, non-competitive physical activity, etc.

3. The standards of the program are maintained through formative and summative assessment and support evaluations.

4. Yoda Yoga offers support materials to teachers to implement yoga techniques for ongoing use in the classroom.

5. The program can incorporate the requirements of students with special needs into the program. Note that this requires special advance notification and planning.

Yoda Yoga™
for Teachers

If desired, Yoda Yoga can provide individualized classes for teachers to develop their own yoga practice, as well as offering training in stress reduction techniques.

Yoda Yoga™ Kindergarten Classes

Children age 3-5 benefit greatly from practicing stretching and relaxation. As kindergarten classes can usually accommodate a longer period; we would recommend a using two 20 minute periods. Also, most kindergarten rooms have an area that allows the yoga instructors to include floor exercises and relaxation poses.