Lesson 4 - Creating Your Own Flow
Sun Salutations to Personal Flow
•Year 6
•Yoga
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can I combine yoga poses with breath to create a flowing sequence that shows strength, balance and control?
Learning Objectives
- To create a personal yoga flow demonstrating quality in control, balance and technique
- To link yoga poses with controlled transitions
- To maintain balance whilst transitioning between poses
Key Outcomes
- Students will design and perform a flowing yoga sequence
- Students will demonstrate controlled transitions between poses
- Students will show mindful breathing techniques throughout their practice
Equipment & Resources Required
Spread evenly around the room with adequate spacing between mats
Alternative: Towels or carpet tiles for cushioning
Place in accessible locations around the room
Alternative: Printed yoga pose pictures or tablet with yoga app
Position for clear sound throughout the room
Alternative: Portable speaker with calming music
Have 'Breathe' and 'Hawaii' tracks ready to play
Alternative: Nature sounds or instrumental music
Key Vocabulary
A sequence of yoga poses linked together with smooth transitions
The movement from one pose to another
A traditional sequence of yoga poses performed in flowing succession
A respectful greeting meaning 'the light in me honours the light in you'
An inverted V-shaped pose with hands and feet on the ground
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic yoga poses from previous lessons
- Understanding of breathing techniques
- Knowledge of sun salutation sequence
Current Skills
- Creating personal yoga flows
- Linking poses with controlled transitions
- Maintaining balance during transitions
- Teaching sequences to others
Next Steps
- Advanced yoga sequences
- Partner yoga poses
- Creating themed yoga routines
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise breath awareness throughout all activities
- Focus on quality of movement over achieving perfect poses
- Create supportive, non-competitive environment
- Encourage students to listen to their bodies
- Model mindfulness and calm presence
- Celebrate effort and improvement over achievement
- Ensure all students feel included and capable
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking flexibility is more important than strength - correct by emphasising both
- Believing poses must be perfect - explain yoga is about personal practice
- Assuming yoga is only stretching - highlight strength, balance and mental aspects
- Thinking faster is better - emphasise control and mindfulness over speed
- Feeling competitive about poses - redirect focus to personal growth
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Include movement in warm-up, provide clear structure, offer fidget tools during relaxation
dyspraxia
- Break poses into smaller steps, use wall support, allow extra time for coordination
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of activities, allow sensory breaks, maintain calm environment
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions for all poses, provide tactile guidance for positioning, ensure clear audio cues
hearing impairment
- Use visual demonstrations, hand signals for breathing, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Offer chair-based modifications, adapt poses for individual needs, focus on what body can do
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Counting breaths, timing sequences, symmetry in poses, geometric shapes in body positions
Science
Understanding breathing and respiratory system, muscle groups and flexibility, balance and proprioception
Geography
Origins of yoga, different cultural practices, understanding of India and yoga traditions
PSHE
Mindfulness and emotional regulation, cooperation and teaching others, respect and cultural awareness
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around room to observe all students, demonstrate from central position where all can see
Observation Focus
Watch for proper alignment, controlled movements, partner cooperation, and signs of fatigue
Intervention Points
Step in if students struggling with poses, experiencing peer difficulties, or showing signs of strain
Demonstration Notes
Model all poses clearly, show modifications, emphasise quality over perfection
Verbal Cues
- •'Listen to your body'
- •'Breathe slowly and deeply'
- •'Move with control, not speed'
- •'Support your partner'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 4m x 6m, soft flooring preferred, adequate ventilation
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, mats properly positioned, obstacles removed
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check yoga mats are clean and non-slip
- •Ensure adequate spacing between mats
- •Music volume appropriate for instruction
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Overstretching or forcing poses
- •Wrist strain in weight-bearing poses
- •Dizziness from inversions or quick transitions
- •Collisions during movement activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise listening to body and not forcing
- •Teach proper alignment and modifications
- •Gradual progression in pose difficulty
- •Clear boundaries and movement patterns
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position to observe all students clearly
- •Monitor for signs of strain or discomfort
- •Watch for proper alignment in weight-bearing poses
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, contact medical support if needed