Chloe SanClemente Thompson

H 397
4/10/17
Mini-Teach Lesson Plan

Concept/Topic to Teach: Yoga Mindfulness

Specific Objective: Students learn basic techniques for being mindful of body and breath that
yoga practitioners use while doing yoga poses
Required Materials: Nothing! Just your body if you want to go home and try out these pointers
with a couple poses.

1. Relaxation is about focusing on the present- finding the activity that allows you to be very
focused just on what you are doing right then

2. Yoga is my main relaxation technique, mainly because it focuses heavily on body mindfulness
-Many people think that yoga is just about the physical elements
*flexibility, strength
-BUT it is more holistic than that, many practitioners will tell you it is an exercise in
mindfulness of your body more than anything

3. A couple basic yoga mindfulness tips:

-Pay attention to your breath:
-many poses focus on contracting and extending with your breath
-contraction an exhale, extension an inhale
-in poses where your body moves in a circular fashion, inhale as body moves
forward, exhale as it moves backwards
-Yoga is about balance:
-this may go without saying, but never focus too much on one direction or side.
-circling in one direction, slow down and circle in the opposite direction.
-stretching one way, make sure to stretch the other side of your body equally.
-Try to create space with your body:
-unless the pose calls for it, never crunch your body. Look for extension where
you can.
-for example, if you’re doing a pose holding your body up, try to draw your
shoulders away from your ears. Pay attention to your body and where it might
be crunching up, and try to add space.
-instructors will tell you to lift your “heart” up, referring to lengthening your
spine and lifting your chest up as a way to create space.
-Embrace opposing movements:
-once comfortable with a pose, try to create opposing movements in your body.
-simple example of this: sitting down with your legs straight out in front of you.
-Use your leg muscles to ground your legs down while simultaneously
trying to lift your “heart” (chest) up and lengthen your spine.
4. Ultimately, yoga is all about listening to your body.
-modifying a pose to fit needs and eliminate discomfort is a core part of yoga practice.
-important to understand that comfort with a pose will vary day by day and on different
sides of your body.
-do what feels good
-stay mindful of ways to create space and balance, to integrate breath, and to embrace
opposing movements.