It is one of my favorite stories. There is a giant, whose name is George. On his way home, he meets various animals who desperately need his help and his clothes. It contains eighteen kids’ yoga poses. Enjoy it!
George was a giant (Lift up arms on tiptoes). He always wore the same pair of old sandals and the same old patched-up gown. But one day, George noticed a new shop. It was full of large clothes. So, he bought a shirt, a pair of trousers, a belt, a tie, some socks, and a pair of shoes (Lift up arms and bend forward – 3 times to wear clothes). George left his old clothes behind in the shop.
He was about to go home when he heard a giraffe who was sniffing sadly (Giraffe: Standing tall, we reach our hands up tall, making a long giraffe neck and start walking with your long giraffe legs.). “My neck is very long and so very cold. I wish I had a long, warm scarf,” said the giraffe. George took off his tie as he wound it round and round the giraffe’s neck (Neck Exercise: Go all the way around with your neck and the opposite direction).
Then George came to a river (River: Sit on the floor with the legs stretched straight in front. Place your hands on the floor behind you, fingers pointing towards your bottom. Pointing your toes, raise the entire body upwards.). On a boat stood a goat who was bleating loudly (Boat: Sit on your bottom, knees bent and the soles of your feet on the floor. Lift both legs, shins parallel to ground, arms stretch forward, moving the upper body slightly backwards. / Goat: Sitting tall, take your legs out long. Bend one leg and place your foot onto the outside of the long leg. Place the opposite elbow to the outside of the bent knee. Placing your other hand behind, twist the upper body and look over your shoulder.). “My sail blew away in a storm. I wish I had a strong new sail,” said the goat. George took off his new white shirt. It made a great sail for the boat.
George came to a tiny, ruined house (House: Open your legs wide but a comfortable distance apart. Lift your arms up over your head bringing your hands together.). Beside the house stood lots of mice, all squeaking. “Our house burned down, and we have nowhere to live. I wish we had a new house” said the mother mouse (Mouse: Sitting on your heels, bend forward. Rest your forehead on the mat in front of you. Place your arms wherever you feel comfortable, they can be extended or down by your sides.). He took off one of his shoes. The shoe made a perfect home for them. George had to hop along the road now, but he didn’t mind (Flamingo / Hopping: Standing tall, lift one leg back towards your bottom grasping your foot. Lift your other arm up to the sky. Keep the chest out while maintaining the balance.).
George came to campsite. Beside a tent stood a fox who was crying (Downward Dog/Fox: Coming to all fours, tuck the toes, lift your knees. Send your hips up and back.). “I dropped my sleeping bag in a puddle. I wish I had a warm, dry sleeping bag,” said the fox. George took off one of his socks. It made a very fine sleeping bag.
George hopped on (Flamingo / Hopping: Standing tall, lift one leg back towards your bottom grasping your foot. Lift your other arm up to the sky. Keep the chest out while maintaining the balance.).And he came to a big squelchy bog. Beside the bog stood a dog with a basket in his hand (Upward Facing Dog: Lying down on your tummy, place the palms on the floor close to your chest. Raising the upper body from the floor, stretch the arms out by pushing the palms on the floor. Keep your shoulders away from ears. / Basket: Lying on your stomach with your legs hip width apart, bend your knees, feet up and towards your bottom. Sweep your arms around and grasp the outside of the ankles or feet. Lifting your head, try to raise the knees and chest higher.). “I need to get across for the picnic, but I keep getting stuck in the mud. I wish there was a safe, dry path,” said the dog. George took off his new belt and laid it down over the bog. It made an excellent path. George hopped on, singing to himself and dancing (Dancer: Standing tall, lift your right leg up towards your bottom and grab it with your right hand. Lift your leg up to the sky. Pull the right arm and leg up so that they form a bow behind the back. Open the chest and shoulders feeling the stretch.) when suddenly his trousers fell down. He felt sad and shivery. “I’ll have to go back to the shop and buy some more clothes” he decided. But when he got there, it was closed! He sank down onto the doorstep and a tear ran down his nose (Malasana: Opening legs up about hip distance, squat down. You may keep the heels on the floor or place a rolled-up towel under the heels. You can bring the palms in touch in front of your chest.). He felt as sad as all the animals he had met on his way home. Then out of the corner of his eye, he saw a bag with something familiar. He took a closer look and discovered his old gown and sandals! George put them on (Bend forward two times to wear). They felt wonderfully comfortable. When he got back home, outside his front door stood all the animals he had helped (House: Open your legs wide but a comfortable distance apart. Lift your arms up over your head bringing your hands together.). They were carrying a present. George untied the ribbon. Inside was a beautiful gold paper crown and a card. Inside the card, it said “You are the kindest giant in town!”
Relaxation:
Body Relaxation: Please lie down. Feel your body still and calm. Take a few breaths. Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth. Now stretch your feet and relax… stretch your legs and relax… your hands, arms and relax… wrinkle your face, your nose, eyes, forehead, mouth, and relax… And finally stretch your body… Feel completely relaxed and still.
When you feel ready, you can slowly start to move your fingers and toes. Pulling your knees to your chest, give them a big hug. Rolling over to one side, lift up to a comfortable sitting position. Bring your hands together in front of your chest. Thank you for doing yoga with me today. Namaste!