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Lesson 4 - Mother Earth Poses

Stories & Breathing Practices

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Year 1

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Yoga

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45 min

Big Question

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

Yoga Mat

1 per child (30)

Arrange in grid formation with 2m spacing between mats

Alternative: Towels or marked floor spaces

Cards

1 set of 15-20 images

Keep accessible for reference during poses

Alternative: Digital images on screen, nature magazines

Relaxation Music

1 (optional)

Test volume levels before lesson

Alternative: Nature sounds, rain sounds app

Storybook

1 copy

'Dinosaurs and All that Rubbish' by Michael Foreman or similar

Alternative: Any environmental story book

Key Vocabulary

Natural phenomena

Things that happen in nature like storms, rainbows, and waves

Balance

Staying steady and not falling over when standing on one foot or in different positions

Breathing

Taking air in through our nose and letting it out through our mouth to help us relax and focus

Pose

A position we hold our body in, like being as still as a statue

Concentration

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

Holds tree pose for 10+ seconds on each leg

Demonstrates understanding of natural phenomena through movement

Shows confidence attempting new poses independently

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