Lesson 2 - Flexibility and Flow Development
Mindful Movement & Balance
•Year 3
•Yoga
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
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How can we use our breath to help us move more gracefully and feel calmer?
Learning Objectives
- To develop flexibility and balance through yoga poses
- To learn how breathing can improve focus and control
- To create and remember a sequence of movements
Key Outcomes
- Students will hold yoga poses with improved balance and control
- Students will use breathing techniques to enhance their practice
- Students will work cooperatively to create a flowing sequence
Equipment & Resources Required
Arrange in rows with arms-width spacing between mats
Alternative: Towels, carpet tiles, or marked floor spaces
Volume low enough for instructions to be heard clearly
Alternative: Meditation app, nature sounds, or silence
One set per group of 6 students, laminated for durability
Alternative: Printed pictures, tablet images, or teacher demonstration
Keep accessible for reading aloud during activity
Alternative: Simple pose sequence poster or teacher's own sequence
Key Vocabulary
A respectful greeting meaning 'the light in me honours the light in you'
Moving smoothly from one yoga pose to another
A sequence of yoga poses performed in flowing movement
Using breathing to help focus and improve balance
Being aware of your body and feelings in the present moment
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic body awareness and spatial understanding
- Ability to follow simple instructions
- Experience with simple stretching movements
Current Skills
- Holding static poses with balance
- Coordinating breath with movement
- Creating simple movement sequences
- Developing mindfulness and focus
Next Steps
- More complex yoga sequences
- Partner and group yoga poses
- Independent practice and self-regulation
- Teaching poses to others
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Breathing is the foundation of all yoga practice
- Every pose should feel good - never force or cause pain
- Balance comes from finding a focus point and breathing steadily
- Yoga is about personal progress, not comparing to others
- Mindfulness means paying attention to how your body feels right now
- Working together makes yoga more enjoyable and supportive
- The journey in yoga is more important than the destination
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking yoga poses must look exactly like demonstrations - correct with: 'Your pose is perfect for YOUR body'
- Believing flexibility is required before starting - correct with: 'Yoga helps you become more flexible'
- Assuming breathing isn't important - correct with: 'Breathing is what makes yoga different from just stretching'
- Thinking yoga is too easy or not 'real' exercise - correct with: 'Yoga builds strength, balance and focus'
- Believing you must be silent and serious - correct with: 'Yoga can be peaceful AND enjoyable'
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter pose holds initially, clear boundaries, regular positive feedback
dyspraxia
- Simplified pose variations, extra practice time, break down complex movements into steps
autism spectrum
- Predictable routine, visual schedule of poses, quiet retreat space available
visual impairment
- Clear verbal descriptions of poses, tactile guidance, use of textures on mats for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations, hand signals for breathing, written pose instructions available
physical disability
- Seated versions of poses, adapted movements, use of props like blocks or straps
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development, following instructions, describing experiences and feelings
Maths
Counting breaths, timing poses, sequencing and patterns in flows
Science
Understanding the respiratory system, how breathing affects heart rate and body function
PSHE
Self-awareness, managing emotions through breathing, mindfulness and wellbeing
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around space to observe all students, speak from central position during demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for safe pose alignment, breath coordination, and group cooperation
Intervention Points
Step in if poses become unsafe, breathing causes distress, or groups need support
Demonstration Notes
Model all poses clearly, emphasise safety points, show modifications
Verbal Cues
- •'Breathe slowly and deeply'
- •'Only go as far as feels good'
- •'Find your focus point'
- •'Listen to your body'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 8m x 12m clear space, yoga mats or defined individual areas
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, clean and dry, free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Yoga mats checked for tears or slippery surfaces
- •Audio equipment tested and volume appropriate
- •Cards laminated with no sharp edges
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls during balance poses
- •Overstretching or forcing poses
- •Dizziness from breathing exercises
- •Neck strain in forward folds
Risk Mitigation
- •Adequate spacing between students during practice
- •Clear instruction to only go as far as comfortable
- •Slow transitions between sitting/lying/standing
- •Emphasis on gentle movements and listening to body
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all students during balance poses
- •Monitor breathing exercises for any distress
- •Watch for students pushing beyond safe limits
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, contact school nurse if needed