Lesson 1 - Yoga Basics & Sun Salutation
Mindful Movement & Balance
•Year 3
•Yoga
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How can yoga help us feel calm, strong, and connected to our bodies?
Learning Objectives
- To develop an understanding of what yoga is and its benefits for mind, body, and breath
- To learn basic yoga poses and breathing techniques with control and awareness
- To experience the sun salutation sequence with coordination and mindfulness
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate understanding of yoga as exercise for mind, body, and breath
- Students will perform basic yoga poses with improved balance, strength, and flexibility
- Students will complete a simple sun salutation sequence with breath awareness
Equipment & Resources Required
Arrange in circle formation for introduction, then individual spaces
Alternative: Towels, carpet squares, or marked floor spaces
Place at front of room to represent the sun
Alternative: Yellow markers, pictures of sun, or yellow cloth
Set volume low enough for instruction clarity
Alternative: Soft instrumental music or nature sounds
Keep accessible for reading during sequence
Alternative: Create simple narrative about desert journey
Key Vocabulary
Exercise for the mind, body, and breath that makes us feel good
A greeting in yoga meaning hello, goodbye, and thank you
A flowing sequence of yoga poses that honours the sun
Standing tall with feet hip-width apart, arms by sides
Paying attention to the present moment and how our body feels
Mentally checking each part of the body for tension or relaxation
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 movement instructions
- Understanding of taking turns and personal space
Current Skills
- Introduction to yoga poses and terminology
- Basic breathing techniques and awareness
- Simple sun salutation sequence
- Mindfulness and body scanning
Next Steps
- More complex yoga sequences and transitions
- Partner and group yoga poses
- Advanced breathing techniques
- Creating own yoga flows
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always emphasise breathing through the nose when possible and connecting breath to movement
- Focus on alignment and working within personal limits rather than achieving perfect poses
- Use storytelling and imagery to make poses memorable and engaging
- Create a calm, respectful environment that honours yoga traditions
- Normalize mind wandering during relaxation and teach gentle redirection techniques
- Emphasise that yoga is non-competitive and about personal growth
- Model mindfulness and present-moment awareness throughout the lesson
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking yoga is only for flexible people - emphasise that yoga develops flexibility
- Believing they must achieve perfect poses - stress personal progress over perfection
- Thinking mindfulness means completely empty mind - explain that noticing thoughts is part of practice
- Assuming yoga is too easy or not 'real' exercise - highlight strength and focus requirements
- Misconception that relaxation means sleeping - clarify the difference between rest and awareness
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Use engaging imagery and storytelling, allow movement between poses, provide fidget alternatives during relaxation
dyspraxia
- Break down poses into smaller steps, provide additional practice time, offer physical supports when needed
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of poses, allow sensory breaks, offer alternative to relaxation if needed
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions of all poses, provide tactile guidance, ensure clear audio instructions
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations, written instruction cards, hand signals for pose changes
physical disability
- Offer chair-based versions of poses, adapted stretches, modified sequences to suit mobility
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Vocabulary development, listening skills, following instructions, storytelling through movement
Maths
Counting breaths, sequencing poses, understanding patterns in movement, spatial awareness
Science
Understanding how breathing affects our body, muscle function and flexibility, nervous system relaxation
Geography
Cultural awareness of yoga's origins in India, understanding different world practices
PSHE
Emotional regulation, stress management, self-awareness, respect for different practices and cultures
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around the room to observe all students, position clearly for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Watch for pose alignment, breathing patterns, engagement level, and signs of strain
Intervention Points
Step in if students are straining, provide modifications, offer individual support
Demonstration Notes
Model all poses with excellent alignment, show modifications, emphasise breath awareness
Verbal Cues
- •'Breathe steadily through your nose'
- •'Only stretch as far as feels comfortable'
- •'Keep your shoulders away from your ears'
- •'Focus on your breath to help you balance'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 8m x 8m clear space, adequate for all students to extend arms without contact
Surface Check
Clean, non-slip surface suitable for lying down, warm enough for floor work
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Yoga mats flat and secure to prevent slipping
- •Cones positioned safely away from movement areas
- •Audio equipment at appropriate volume level
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Overextension in stretches and poses
- •Neck strain in poses like cobra or back bends
- •Dizziness from breathing exercises
- •Falls from balance poses
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise working within personal limits
- •Demonstrate proper alignment in all poses
- •Monitor breathing exercises for signs of hyperventilation
- •Provide modifications for different ability levels
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all students during poses
- •Watch particularly during balance challenges
- •Monitor relaxation time for any distress
- •Check in with students about comfort levels
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess student, provide appropriate support, seek medical attention if needed