Lesson 1 - Jungle Adventure Yoga
Imaginative Mindfulness in Yoga
•Year 1
•Yoga
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
How can yoga poses help us feel calm and strong like the animals in the jungle?
Learning Objectives
- To perform butterfly pose and lion pose with correct technique
- To understand the importance of breathing during yoga practice
- To explore different ways of moving through animal-inspired poses
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate butterfly pose and lion pose
- Students will show awareness of breathing techniques during exercise
- Students will creatively interpret animal movements through yoga poses
Equipment & Resources Required
Arranged in grid formation with 2m spacing between mats
Alternative: Carpet space, towels, or marked floor areas
Ready for relaxation session
Alternative: Tablet with jungle sounds, animal picture cards
For exploring jungle activity
Alternative: Toilet roll tubes, hands formed into circles
Mix of achievement and effort rewards
Alternative: Verbal praise, certificates, stamps
Key Vocabulary
Sitting with knees bent, feet together, moving knees like butterfly wings
Kneeling pose with hands on knees, tongue out, making roaring sound
Standing tall and strong with feet apart, arms by sides
Standing on one leg with arms like branches
Lying on tummy, lifting head and chest, making hissing sound
Kneeling with forehead on ground, hands tucked under
Taking slow, controlled breaths through nose and mouth
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic body awareness and balance
- Following simple movement instructions
- Understanding of breathing in and out
Current Skills
- Specific yoga poses (butterfly, mountain, tree, lion, cobra, child's pose)
- Coordinated breathing with movement
- Creative animal movement interpretation
Next Steps
- More complex yoga sequences
- Advanced balance poses
- Self-directed relaxation techniques
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always prioritise comfort over perfect pose alignment
- Model calm, deep breathing throughout the entire lesson
- Use storytelling to maintain engagement and context
- Encourage individual interpretation rather than perfect copying
- Create inclusive atmosphere where all attempts are valued
- Connect yoga practice to emotional wellbeing and daily life
- Maintain gentle, supportive voice tone throughout
Common Misconceptions
- Children thinking they must achieve perfect poses - emphasise effort and comfort over perfection
- Belief that yoga is only about flexibility - highlight strength, balance, and breathing aspects
- Assumption that everyone must do poses the same way - celebrate individual differences and modifications
- Fear that relaxation time is 'doing nothing' - explain the importance of calm and rest for learning
- Thinking that wobbling in balance poses means failure - normalize wobbling as part of learning balance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter hold times for poses, more frequent changes of activity, clear boundaries and expectations
dyspraxia
- Break poses down into smaller steps, provide additional support and time, focus on effort over precision
autism spectrum
- Clear visual schedule of lesson structure, quiet space available if needed, consistent routine and clear expectations
visual impairment
- Use clear verbal descriptions of poses, allow tactile exploration of positions, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Clear visual demonstrations, use of hand signals, written pose cards with pictures
physical disability
- Seated versions of all poses, chair support for standing poses, alternative movements that suit individual abilities
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Listening to jungle stories, learning animal vocabulary, following sequential instructions
Maths
Counting breaths, timing poses, spatial awareness and positioning, symmetry in poses
Science
Learning about breathing, body systems, how exercise affects the body, animal characteristics and habitats
Geography
Exploring jungle environments, discussing different climates and habitats around the world
PSHE
Emotional regulation through breathing, building confidence and self-esteem, cooperation and encouragement
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move freely around students to provide individual support and adjustments, maintain clear sightlines to all students
Observation Focus
Watch for correct pose alignment, breathing coordination, emotional responses, cooperation between students
Intervention Points
Step in if poses are being forced, support students struggling with balance, help those uncomfortable with relaxation
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate poses clearly before students attempt them, show modifications for different abilities, model calm breathing throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Breathe slowly and deeply'
- •'Only stretch as far as feels comfortable'
- •'It's okay to wobble in balance poses'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 6m x 8m clear space, or school hall, suitable for lying down activities
Surface Check
Clean, dry, non-slip surface suitable for bare feet or socks, yoga mats if available
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check yoga mats are clean and non-slip
- •Ensure adequate spacing between mats
- •Story book in good condition
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls during balance poses
- •Strain from forced stretching
- •Discomfort during floor poses
- •Emotional response to relaxation
Risk Mitigation
- •Extra space around students attempting balance poses
- •No forcing of stretches or poses - individual comfort respected
- •Alternative positions offered for all poses
- •Calm, supportive atmosphere maintained throughout
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to see all students during balance work
- •Move around during poses to provide individual support
- •Monitor comfort levels during floor work
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if any student shows distress, provide comfort and alternative position, appropriate first aid for any falls