Lesson 4 - Mother Earth Poses
Stories & Breathing Practices
•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 we use our bodies to show respect and connection to the natural world around us?
Learning Objectives
- To perform yoga poses that represent natural phenomena with growing confidence
- To understand what natural phenomena are and how they affect our world
- To demonstrate self-motivation and self-confidence in movement activities
Key Outcomes
- Students will perform at least 5 nature-inspired yoga poses with improved balance and control
- Students will identify and describe 3 different natural phenomena
- Students will show increased confidence and independence in their yoga practice
Equipment & Resources Required
Arrange in grid formation with 2m spacing between mats
Alternative: Towels or marked floor spaces
Keep accessible for reference during poses
Alternative: Digital images on screen, nature magazines
Test volume levels before lesson
Alternative: Nature sounds, rain sounds app
'Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish' by Michael Foreman or similar
Alternative: Any environmental story book
Key Vocabulary
Things that happen in nature like storms, rainbows, and waves
Staying steady and not falling over when standing on one foot or in different positions
Taking air in through our nose and letting it out through our mouth to help us relax and focus
A position we hold our body in, like being as still as a statue
Focusing our mind on one thing, like our breathing or balance
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic body awareness and spatial understanding
- Simple breathing techniques from previous yoga lessons
- Understanding of left and right directions
Current Skills
- Performing static balance poses with control
- Coordinating breath with movement
- Creating imaginative representations through movement
Next Steps
- Combining poses into flowing sequences
- Teaching simple poses to others
- Developing longer concentration periods
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise breathing coordination with all movements to develop mind-body connection
- Use nature imagery consistently to make poses meaningful and memorable for young children
- Focus on individual progress rather than comparing children's abilities or flexibility levels
- Connect physical yoga practice to environmental awareness and kindness concepts throughout
- Provide multiple alternatives for each pose to ensure every child can participate successfully
- Model calm, peaceful energy throughout to create appropriate atmosphere for yoga practice
- Encourage creativity in pose interpretation while maintaining safety awareness
Common Misconceptions
- Yoga poses must be perfect - emphasise personal best effort over perfect form
- Only flexible people can do yoga - show how everyone can adapt poses for their body
- Yoga is only for relaxation - demonstrate how it also builds strength and confidence
- Natural phenomena are too complex for young children - use simple, relatable examples
- Balance poses are impossible for some children - provide supports and modifications for everyone
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Movement breaks between poses, shorter holding times, fidget tools during relaxation if needed
dyspraxia
- Simplified pose instructions, additional practice time, wall support for all balance activities
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of pose sequence, quiet retreat space if needed
visual impairment
- Use tactile cues for pose positions, verbal descriptions of all movements, buddy system for spatial awareness
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all poses, hand signals for transitions, written instruction cards
physical disability
- Chair-based adaptations of poses, modified balance challenges, focus on achievable movements
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development with nature terms, listening to environmental stories, descriptive language
Science
Understanding natural phenomena, weather patterns, plant growth cycles, and environmental science
Art
Creative expression through movement, interpreting natural forms through body shapes and positions
Geography
Learning about different natural environments, weather systems, and landscape features
PSHE
Environmental responsibility, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, self-confidence building
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around space to observe all children, demonstrate from front when teaching new poses
Observation Focus
Watch for balance development, breathing coordination, creative expression, and confidence levels
Intervention Points
Support children struggling with balance, provide alternatives for difficult poses, manage energy levels
Demonstration Notes
Show poses clearly with emphasis on alignment, model breathing patterns, demonstrate creative interpretations
Verbal Cues
- •'Breathe like you're smelling flowers'
- •'Stand strong like a mountain'
- •'Balance like a tree in gentle breeze'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 20m x 15m clear space, adequate for mats with 2m spacing
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, mats secure, no hard objects nearby
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Yoga mats in good condition with no tears
- •Picture cards with no sharp edges
- •Story book appropriate for age group
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Loss of balance in standing poses
- •Wrist strain in weight-bearing positions
- •Dizziness from position changes
Risk Mitigation
- •Wall support available for balance poses
- •Teach proper alignment to protect joints
- •Slow transitions between lying and standing
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear view of all children during poses
- •Monitor individuals struggling with balance
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or discomfort
Emergency Procedures
First aid trained adult present, clear access to exit, phone available for emergency contact