We are already in October, feeling the lovely breeze of Autumn. It is actually my favorite season with all those colors around. This week, I have prepared an autumn kids yoga lesson plan for my kindergarten students and wanted to share it with you. It contains 18 yoga poses with an autumn leaf breath relaxation and a short yoga game. At the end, you can enjoy an autumn mandala with a soft music in the background. I hope you have fun!
Autumn Yoga For Kids
Autumn is one of the four seasons on Earth and is the transition from Summer into Winter. Then, let’s fold forward 4 times and say “hello” to Earth! (Take a deep breath and reach up, then fold forward)
The autumn weather changes to cooler temperatures. There is less sunlight because the days are shorter. In some areas, autumn is the season for the most rainfall. (Raining: Using our fingertips, we go pitter patter all over our faces and body like a rain shower) There may be some lightnings and big claps of thunder in the sky. (Lightnings/Spinning Star: Jump your feet wide and arms wide and spin the lightning. / Thunderstorm: Feet wide, arms wide like a house pose, clap your hands above your head like the big claps of thunder in the sky) So we need to wear our boots and raincoats before going out. Let’s put on our boots! (Lifting up one foot, try not to wobble, stretch your leg out long)
Deciduous tree leaves change color. (Tree: Standing tall, place the heel of your foot on top of the other. Bring your hands together at your heart and grow your branches up tall) The leaves change from green to red, orange, yellow or brown before falling down.
This is harvest time. Gardeners and farmers gather apples, pears, pumpkins and corn. Let’s collect them in our basket. (Bowl: Lying on our tummies, flick our feet up towards our bottoms. We reach around with our arms and take hold of our ankles. Kicking our legs into our hands, we lift our chests up) Can you see the scarecrow in the field? (Mountain/Scarecrow: Standing tall and perfectly still, breathing steady)
The harvest moon is the name given to the full Moon that takes place any time between September and October. It is called a harvest moon because the Moon is particularly bright and rises early. (Moon: We stand up tall, feet together and reach our arms up above us. Then we lift and lean over to one side, still pointing upwards as much as possible)
Some animals start preparing for Winter during Fall. They will start preparing their homes to get them ready for the winter weather. (House: Standing with your legs wide, hands together above your head, making a pointy roof for your house or cave)
Animals that hibernate such as bears prepare for Winter by eating more to put on body fat to make it through the Winter. (Pat head/Rub tummy: Sitting with our legs crossed, we roll a hand round and round on our tummies, then we pat our heads at the same time) Bears go into a deep hibernation-like sleep. (Bear Walk: Pressing into our hands and feet we lift our bottom to the sky. Now we come right up onto our tiptoes and take a walk like a bear)
Rabbits will start to grow thicker coats/fur to keep them warm during the colder weather. (Hare: Coming to our knees we lean forward a little then cross our hands behind our back. As we fold all the way forward our arms lift up to the sky like very long hare ears)
You will see some animals such as squirrels collect more food and store it so they have enough for the Winter. (Garland pose with twist: Squat with your feet as close together as possible. Press your elbows against your inner knees and collect the acorns by twisting)
Birds will start to get ready to fly south for the winter to avoid the cold weather. (Flying: Standing up tall, step forward and tilt, lifting your back foot off the ground, sending it long and strong our behind you like a tail. Stay balanced as you take your arms out wide like wings)
Frogs and snakes will find warm comfortable spots and sleep until the Spring. (Frog: Up on your toes, crouching down, with your knees out wide and use your hands for balance and hop! / Snake: We come onto our tummy. Placing our hands underneath our shoulders. We wiggle up into a snake)
Several species of butterflies migrate to warmer climates. Monarch butterflies from the U.S. migrate to Mexico during Autumn. They are the only insects that migrate such long distances to a warmer climate. (Butterfly: Sitting tall, bring the soles of your feet in touch and flutter your knees up and down like a butterfly’s wings)
Relaxation:
Please lie down comfortably in such a way that your body can really relax. With your legs stretched out in front of you, your arms relaxed by your sides… If you like, you can close your eyes. Now, imagine that you are lying under a tree and because it is autumn, a leaf falls down just in front of you. You take the leaf and observe it. What color and shape is it? Is it yellow, orange or red? Is it oval, or linear? You may feel its texture and smell… Now use your leaf as a breathing buddy and put your leaf on your belly. (In the meantime, the teacher places leaves on their bellies for each kid.) Notice the leaf moving up and down as you breathe… When you are ready, you can slowly bring this exercise to a close. You may move your fingers and toes, hug your knees into your chest. Roll over onto your side. We press ourselves up to sit, crossing our legs. We bring our hands together at our heart. Namaste!
Game:
Wind in the Trees:
Half of the students are trees and holding hands up in Group Tree Pose. The other half of the students are the wind gently travelling in and out of the trees. Do not forget to play a dramatic wind sound in the background.
Crafts:
Autumn Mandala:
