Lesson 2 - Arctic Animal Poses and Mindfulness
Imaginative Yoga
•Year 2
•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 the animals and features of the Arctic whilst staying calm and focused?
Learning Objectives
- To demonstrate animal poses inspired by Arctic creatures with control and balance
- To practice breathing techniques and mindfulness skills for emotional regulation
- To show understanding of Arctic animals through movement and pose sequences
Key Outcomes
- Students will perform at least 5 different Arctic-themed yoga poses with improving balance and control
- Students will use breathing techniques to calm themselves and prepare for activities
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of Arctic animals through creative movement and poses
Equipment & Resources Required
Arranged in scattered formation around the room with clear pathways
Alternative: Towels or marked floor spaces
Ready for relaxation section
Alternative: Printed Arctic animal pictures or tablet with images
Volume low enough for clear voice instructions
Alternative: Natural room acoustics for breathing sounds
Key Vocabulary
Staying steady and not falling over when in different positions
Special ways of breathing in and out to help us feel calm and focused
A special position we hold our body in, like animals do
Paying attention to how our body and mind feel right now
A very cold place where special animals live, like polar bears and penguins
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic balance on one foot for short periods
- Simple animal movements from previous lessons
- Understanding of breathing in and out
Current Skills
- Arctic animal pose sequences with improved balance
- Breathing techniques for emotional regulation
- Sustained focus during mindfulness activities
Next Steps
- More complex balance poses requiring core strength
- Partner yoga poses requiring cooperation
- Extended mindfulness and relaxation sequences
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise breathing as a tool for emotional regulation and focus
- Allow children to work at their own pace and comfort level in all poses
- Use positive reinforcement for effort and participation rather than perfect form
- Connect each pose to the Arctic animal or feature it represents
- Encourage mindful awareness of how poses make children feel
- Provide clear safety guidelines for balance poses and transitions
- Model calm, focused energy throughout the lesson
Common Misconceptions
- Children thinking they must be perfectly still in balance poses - explain that wobbling is normal
- Believing yoga is only for flexible people - emphasise that everyone can do yoga at their level
- Thinking breathing exercises are boring - show how they're powerful tools for feeling better
- Assuming poses must look exactly like the teacher's - celebrate individual differences
- Believing that falling out of a pose means failure - reframe as learning and trying again
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use shorter pose holds initially, provide movement breaks, clear and simple instructions
dyspraxia
- Break down poses into smaller steps, use wall support for balance, allow extra time for positioning
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of poses, allow sensory breaks, offer quiet space during relaxation
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions of all poses, provide physical guidance for positioning, ensure child has tactile reference points
hearing impairment
- Use clear visual demonstrations, visual cues for breathing, ensure child can see teacher at all times
physical disability
- Adapt poses for seated position, use chair support for standing poses, focus on upper body movements
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development, following and giving instructions, creative expression through movement
Science
Learning about Arctic animals and their adaptations, understanding breathing and how it affects our bodies
Geography
Exploring Arctic regions, climate, and animal habitats through movement and discussion
PSHE
Emotional regulation strategies, building confidence, respecting differences in ability
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around room to provide individual support, position centrally for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for balance improvement, emotional regulation, and engagement levels
Intervention Points
Step in if children show discomfort in poses, provide alternatives for different abilities
Demonstration Notes
Show poses with clear alignment, offer modifications, emphasise effort over perfection
Verbal Cues
- •'Breathe like you're smelling flowers, breathe out like you're blowing out candles'
- •'Tree roots are strong and steady, just like your standing leg'
- •'Gentle movements, like you're moving through thick honey'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 4m x 6m hall space, allowing 2m x 1m per child for pose practice
Surface Check
Clean, non-slip surface free from obstacles, mats or carpet for comfort
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check yoga mats are clean and non-slip
- •Ensure adequate cushions available for children with knee discomfort
- •Remove any sharp objects or furniture from movement area
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls during balance poses
- •Wrist strain in Downward Dog
- •Knee discomfort in seated poses
- •Collision during movement sequences
Risk Mitigation
- •Start balance poses with wall or partner support options
- •Teach progressive approach to challenging poses
- •Provide alternative positions for children with physical limitations
- •Maintain clear pathways and spacing during movement
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all children during balance poses
- •Monitor for signs of discomfort or overexertion
- •Watch for children forcing poses beyond their flexibility
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately if injury occurs, provide first aid as appropriate, contact school first aider if needed