Free Children’s Yoga Lesson Plan: Seasons
This lesson plan for ages 5-10 focuses on the principle of non-attachment (aparigraha) by exploring the concept of seasonality. Direct instruction is in grey; instructions for the teacher are in blue.
THEME: Seasons (Aparigraha; non-attachment)
AGES: 5-10; can be modified for early childhood or adolescence
MATERIALS: Mats optional
DURATION: 60 min
THEME SETTING (5 Min): In today’s yoga class, we will learn about seasons. When you think of seasons, what do you think of? Cue students to think-pair-share. Yes that’s right, we typically think about weather seasons like spring, summer, winter, and fall.
What is the same about spring, summer, winter and fall? Cue students to think-pair-share.
They are all about the weather
They all have a start point and end point
They flow into each other
They each usually last a few months (depending on where you live)
WARM UPS (10 Min): Let’s practice this idea of flowing with our bodies. We’ll do four poses for the four weather seasons:
BALL - WINTER
TREE - SPRING
STAR - SUMMER
FORWARD FOLD - FALL
Lead kids through the poses, evoking images, sounds, smells, and flavors of those seasons. For example, when forward folding for fall, imagine leaves swirling to the ground, apples bouncing down from the tree branches, etc.
REFLECTION (3 Min): Seasons apply to more than weather! For example, right now is strawberry season. What do you think that means? Cue students to think-pair-share. Yes, strawberry season is when strawberries are ruby red and ripe to pick! How long do you think Strawberry season lasts? Cue students to think-pair-share. Great guesses! Strawberry season is only TWO WEEKS LONG! After two weeks, most strawberry plants are done making fruit for the year. That’s a very short season!
ASANA FLOW (10 Min): Yoga teaches us to savor the moment and not get caught up in what’s behind or ahead. Warrior II pose can teach us that. Let’s try it. First, we’ll get warmed up. Lead the SUN A SERIES, instructing step forward from downward-facing dog into high lunge and then move into Warrior II.
In Warrior II, we should be anchored in the moment while our front and back arms reach and extend equally toward both the past and present) Let’s flow out of this “season.” CUE: Reverse (Humble) warrior, Side Angle, High lunge, walk hands to the other side and repeat series:
Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
Viparita Virabhadrasana (Reverse/Humble Warrior)
Side Angle (Utthita Parsvakonasana)
Anjaneyasana (High Crescent Lunge)
MINDFULNESS (10 Min): Wow, that was hard work! I think it’s time to sit and savor. Let’s do a mindful snack to celebrate strawberry season. Appoint a student to distribute strawberries, remind all kids to WAIT to eat it until instructed. Guide kids through the senses:
Sight: Observe, what do you see?
Smell: What does the strawberry smell like?
Touch: What is the strawberry’s texture? Do you notice your body responding — is your mouth producing saliva? Do you feel hungry?
Taste & Sound: What sound do you hear when you take the first bite? What does it taste like?
Allow students to enjoy the remainder of their strawberries and make connections. Do these strawberries bring any memories to mind?
ASANA FLOW + MEDITATION (15 Min): Let’s connect what we’ve learned to movement. Cue students through the flow, noticing and naming how each movement connects with different bodily sensations. Notice and name the facial expressions you see to help kids connect.
Virasana (kneeling) + neck rolls, sidebends and spinal twists
Balasana (child’s pose)
Tabletop to Cat/Cow with opposite leg/arm extensions
Tabletop to Gate (repeat on both sides, connect the breath)
Downward-facing dog to Sun Salutation A (half or full) x 2
Warrior Series (right side): Anjaneyasana (high lunge)
(Warrior II)
(Reverse/Humble Warrior)
(high lunge) step back to Downward-facing Dog
Repeat Warrior Series on left side
Downward-facing dog to extended child’s pose (arms reaching forward)
Return to restful position (back, body or side)
STORYTIME (10 Min): Watch A Strawberry Grow by Kirsten Chang
THEME GAME (10 Min): Let’s connect what we’ve learned to movement. There are three parts in this game: MOVE, MIRROR, and MEDITATE. Each one will be a “season” — it will last for only a short time and will flow into the next. When I say MOVE, run around like crazy! When I say, MIRROR, quick find a partner and strike the same pose. Hold it still like you are the reflection in a mirror! Last, when I say, MEDITATE, sit back-to-back, criss-cross, with your eyes closed. Take deep breaths. Let’s play!
CLOSING (3 Min): Let’s sit like strawberries. Show a strawberry in your hand, upside-down with the leaves resting on your palm. Close your eyes and imagine your criss-crossed legs are like the leaves — bright and green. Imagine your body is the fruit, and the crown of your head is the tip of the berry. Feel the sunshine warm you, transforming your seedy skin to ruby-red. Take a deep breath in and exhale it long and slow. Open your eyes, sweet strawberries.
Give kids a few moments to tune in. Remind them: Seasons come and go. This is the rhythm of life. I am so glad we got to share part of this season together.