Yoga 4 - Choose2be Nanaimo Fitness

Choose2be Yoga School: Our First 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training in 2018

by Veronique Rioux | Jun 3, 2018 | Yoga, Yoga Nanaimo

In spring 2018, Choose2be partnered with Vancouver Island University Campus Recreation to offer its first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Nanaimo. This program brought together a diverse group of teachers with backgrounds in yoga, anatomy, meditation, communication, breathwork, philosophy and movement.

This page now serves as part of the history of Choose2be Yoga School. The dates and workshops below describe the 2018 training and are not a current course schedule.

“This is one of the best 200-hour teacher training programs I have seen! Such high-calibre teachers—so diverse, interesting and important material.”
— Lindsay J. Campa, Yoga Therapist

The Beginning of Choose2be Yoga Teacher Training

The 2018 program ran from March 30 to May 20 and included approximately 180 instructional hours plus 20 hours of homework and independent study.

My goal was to create more than a training focused only on learning yoga poses. I wanted students to deepen their own practice while developing the skills and confidence to guide other people.

The curriculum included yoga philosophy, anatomy, asana, pranayama, meditation, mantra, sequencing, teaching methodology and practice teaching. Guest instructors brought different areas of expertise so students could learn from several perspectives rather than only one teacher.

A Collaborative Approach to Teacher Training

One of my favourite parts of creating this program was bringing together teachers with very different backgrounds.

The 2018 faculty and guest workshops included areas such as:

anatomy and anatomical variation
yoga teaching methodology
Nonviolent Communication
meditation and restorative yoga
yoga philosophy
Kundalini yoga
breathwork
movement and dance
yoga therapy
sequencing, cueing and assisting

That collaborative model continues to influence the way I think about Yoga Teacher Training today.

Anatomy and Individual Bodies

Dr. Jessica Reed taught anatomy with a focus on bones, muscles and how anatomical differences can affect yoga postures.

One of the important ideas explored in the program was that bodies are not all built exactly the same. Yoga does not need to look identical from one person to another, and understanding anatomical variation can help teachers offer more appropriate options.

Teaching Methodology

Several instructors explored the art of teaching yoga, including how to sequence a class, communicate clearly, observe students and adapt movement.

Students also spent time practice teaching throughout the training.

Becoming a yoga teacher involves much more than memorizing poses. It requires learning how to create an experience, communicate safely and confidently, and respond to the people actually standing in front of you.

Communication and Relationships

The program included a workshop based on Nonviolent Communication, developed by Marshall Rosenberg.

Students explored listening, identifying feelings and needs, expressing themselves more clearly and approaching difficult conversations with greater empathy.

I valued including communication skills because teaching is fundamentally relational. Knowing yoga is one part of the job; knowing how to connect with people is another.

Meditation, Philosophy and Breath

The training also included meditation, yoga philosophy and several approaches to breath and awareness.

Different guest teachers introduced students to their own traditions and perspectives. As with any yoga training, students were encouraged to explore the practices, ask questions and develop their own understanding over time.

Breath remains an important part of my teaching today. You can read more in Ujjayi Breath: How to Use Yogic Breathing in Your Yoga Practice.

Movement Beyond Traditional Asana

The 2018 program also explored dance, creative movement, restorative practices and different approaches to embodied learning.

This was important to me then and has become even more important in my work over the years.

My teaching today draws from yoga, mobility, strength training, dance and functional movement. I increasingly see these as complementary tools rather than separate disciplines.

Yoga Therapy and Adaptation

Guest teachers also introduced students to therapeutic and individualized approaches to yoga.

An important lesson was that yoga teachers should understand the limits of their scope. Yoga can be adapted to many bodies and circumstances, but yoga teachers are not automatically healthcare professionals or yoga therapists.

Knowing when to modify, when to refer and when something is outside your training is part of responsible teaching.

The 2018 Graduates

The first Choose2be Yoga Teacher Training cohort holds a special place in the history of the school.

It was exciting to watch students move from their own personal practice into teaching, experimenting, asking questions and developing their own voices.

That first training also taught me a great deal about what I wanted future Choose2be programs to become.

The Next Chapter of Choose2be Yoga Teacher Training

I am now developing the next evolution of the Choose2be Yoga Teacher Training for 2027/2028.

The new program will build on what worked well in earlier trainings while reflecting more than two decades of my experience teaching fitness, yoga and movement.

The developing curriculum is expected to integrate yoga practice and philosophy with anatomy, mobility, functional movement, strength, breathwork, teaching methodology, personal development and plenty of practice teaching.

Rather than recreating the 2018 program exactly, I want the next training to reflect how my own teaching has evolved.

You can learn more about the developing Yoga Teacher Training in Nanaimo and read about my own Yoga Teacher Training journey.

Looking Back and Moving Forward

The first Choose2be Yoga Teacher Training was an ambitious collaborative project, and I remain grateful to the teachers and students who helped bring it to life.

The details on this page are part of that history.

The next chapter will be different, but the central intention remains the same: to help people deepen their practice, understand movement more fully and become thoughtful, confident teachers in their own way.

Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Weather and Seasons

by Veronique Rioux | May 3, 2018 | Yoga

Weather and seasons make a great theme for kids yoga because they naturally invite movement, imagination and storytelling. Children can become trees, snowflakes, rainstorms, animals, wind and sunshine while learning to notice how nature changes throughout the year.

This lesson can be adapted for parents, teachers, yoga instructors or group leaders. It works especially well as a 45-minute parent-participation class, but you can shorten it for younger children.

Start With Simple Expectations

Begin with a short welcome circle and a few simple group expectations: keep hands to yourself, use kind words, take turns and have fun.

A quick name game or movement song can help everyone settle in before you begin.

Spring

Spring is a natural time to explore growth, energy and new beginnings.

Try movements such as:

Tree Pose — stand tall like a tree beginning to grow
Bird / Warrior III — stretch out like a bird flying
Gate Pose — open the side body like a garden gate
Planting Seeds — fold forward toward the ground
Planting a Garden — squat down and pretend to dig
Watering Can / Triangle Pose — tip gently to one side
Baby Bean Sprout / Boat Pose — grow upward from a tiny seed
Caterpillar / Locust Pose — wiggle along the ground
Bee — buzz around the garden

Keep the poses playful and let children invent their own spring movements too.

Summer

Summer can be more energetic and expansive.

Try:

Butterfly Pose
Picking Apples — reach high in different directions
Flower Pose
Wheelbarrow-inspired movement
Sun Stretch — reach arms overhead and open wide

You can also add swimming motions, beach movements or pretend to run through a sprinkler.

Autumn

Autumn is perfect for exploring changing leaves, animals and harvest time.

Try:

Crescent Moon
Tree Pose with falling leaves
Warrior III as birds flying south
Chair Pose as a farmer driving a tractor
Bear Walks
Child’s Pose as a hedgehog getting ready to rest
Fox Pose or kneeling moon gazing
Butterflies migrating
Squirrels collecting and hiding pretend food

Ask children what colours they see in fall and let them move like leaves blowing in the wind.

Winter

Winter gives you lots of opportunities for imaginative movement.

Pretend to put on warm clothes: long johns, snow pants, boots, mittens and hats.

Then try:

Penguin Walks
Snowy Tree Pose
Forward Fold to dig in the snow
Rock and Roll Snowballs
Star Pose as a Snowflake
Snow Angels
Tiger Balance moving very slowly
Big Group Snowflake

For the group snowflake, sit in a circle with feet toward the middle and create different shapes together. Keep enough space so children can move safely.

Weather Movement Game

Ask children:

What is your favourite kind of weather?

Then turn the answers into movement.

Wind

Make big arm circles, sways and gentle twists.

Pretend the wind is pushing you from side to side.

Thunder and Lightning

Reach arms overhead for lightning, then fold forward with a strong “boom” sound for thunder.

You can ask: Which comes first, lightning or thunder?

Rain

Create different rain sounds:

hard rain — clap thighs
soft rain — tap fingers together
mist — rub hands gently

Build the sound slowly, let the storm get louder, then gradually fade away.

Sunshine

Inhale and reach the arms up.

Exhale and lower them slowly, imagining warm sunlight all around you.

Rainbow

Use a big side bend or arch shape to become a rainbow.

You can also make a rainbow tunnel by having children stand in pairs, hold hands overhead and let others walk underneath.

Escape the Rainstorm

Move around the room as if a storm is coming.

Lift the knees high through imaginary tall grass, jump over puddles, crawl under pretend branches and pause in Tree Pose for shelter.

When the sun comes out, slow the movement down and return to the circle.

Human Mandala

Sit in a circle and move together.

You might try:

reach one arm up and bring it back to the heart
side stretch
gentle twist
shoulder rolls
fold forward
extend one leg and reach
wave the feet
move into Crab or Downward-Facing Dog

The goal is not perfect synchronization. It is simply moving together as a group.

Music and Sound

Weather and season songs can make transitions easier and keep children engaged.

Rather than depending on a fixed playlist, choose age-appropriate music about sunshine, rain, seasons or nature that suits your group. If you use recorded music in a public class, make sure your setting has appropriate music licensing.

Weather Relaxation

Finish with a short guided relaxation.

Invite children to lie down and imagine the weather becoming calm.

You might say:

“Imagine the wind slowing down, the rain becoming softer, and the clouds moving away. The sun comes out and everything becomes warm and quiet.”

Keep it brief and gentle.

Keep Kids Yoga Creative

Children do not need perfect poses. The real value is in movement, imagination, coordination, cooperation and play.

A weather and seasons theme gives you endless ways to explore movement while helping children connect with the natural world.

For more themed lessons, try Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: In the Garden, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going Into Space or Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Beach & Ocean Theme.

If you enjoy leading creative movement with children, you may also be interested in the Circus Arts Leader Certification.

Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going to the Beach and Ocean

by Veronique Rioux | Apr 26, 2018 | Yoga

A beach and ocean theme is a fun way to get children moving, imagining and learning at the same time. Kids yoga works especially well when poses are connected to stories, animals, games and music rather than taught as a series of formal postures.

This lesson can be adapted for parents, teachers, yoga instructors or group leaders. You can shorten it for younger children or expand it into a 45-minute class.

Start With Simple Group Expectations

Before beginning, keep the expectations short and positive. You might remind children to keep hands to themselves, take turns, use kind words and have fun.

A circle setup can work well because everyone can see one another and participate together.

Warm-Up

Start with simple movements to wake up the body:

shoulder rolls
gentle head turns
arm circles
standing side bends
easy twists
cat-cow or other spinal movements
marching or swaying to music

Keep the pace light and playful.

Pack for a Day at the Beach

Pretend you are getting ready for a beach adventure.

Have the children act out putting on bathing suits, sunglasses, hats, flip-flops and sunscreen. Pretend to pack towels, water, snacks, buckets, shovels and beach toys.

This gives you an easy transition from imagination into movement.

Ocean-Themed Yoga Poses

Use familiar shapes and give them playful ocean names.

Easy Pose — Looking at the Ocean: Sit comfortably and imagine watching the waves.
Mountain Pose — Beach Umbrella: Stand tall and reach your arms overhead.
Warrior III — Swimming: Balance on one leg and reach your arms forward like you are gliding through water.
Triangle Pose — Windsurfing: Open the body and imagine catching the wind.
Chair Pose — Beach Chair: Bend the knees and pretend you are sitting in the sand.
Forward Fold — Jellyfish: Let your arms hang and sway gently.
Downward-Facing Dog — Sandcastle: Make a strong triangle shape.
Cobra Pose — Harbor Seal: Lift the chest and make a playful seal sound.
Locust or Shark Pose — Shark: Lie on your belly and reach the arms back.
Child’s Pose — Sea Urchin: Curl into a small shape.
Boat Pose — Fishing Boat: Balance and rock gently if comfortable.
Tabletop Variation — Crab: Lift into a reverse tabletop and move like a crab.
Happy Baby — Sea Otter: Rock gently from side to side.
Wide-Leg Seated Stretch — Starfish: Reach in different directions like starfish arms.
Lying on the Back — Kelp Forest: Wave arms and legs slowly like kelp moving with the current.

For younger children, accuracy is less important than imagination and safe movement.

Shell Listening Activity

Pass around seashells and invite the children to hold them quietly and listen.

You can ask:

What sounds do you notice?

This becomes a simple mindfulness activity without needing a long meditation.

Ocean Games

Jump the Waves

Have children jump over imaginary waves while staying in their own space. You can also use a long piece of blue fabric while adults or older children gently move it like water.

Beach Ball Circle

Pass a beach ball around the circle using hands. You can later try passing it gently with the feet while lying down.

Surfing Flow

Move between Warrior II, Extended Side Angle and Peaceful Warrior while pretending to surf.

If a shark appears, everyone can come down into a belly pose such as Locust.

Partner Boats

Sit facing a partner, hold hands if appropriate and gently rock backward and forward like boats on the water.

Scuba Adventure

Pretend to put on wetsuits and scuba gear, then move around the room searching for imaginary treasures.

Children can swim, crab walk or crawl through the “ocean.” At the end, return to the circle and let everyone share what they discovered.

Create an Ocean Story

Invite the children to help build the story.

You could begin with:

“We arrived at the beach and suddenly we saw…”

Let each child add an animal, object or adventure, and turn their ideas into movements or yoga poses.

This keeps the lesson interactive and gives children some ownership over the class.

Ocean Relaxation

Finish with a short guided relaxation.

Invite everyone to lie comfortably and imagine resting on a warm beach. Ask them to listen to the imaginary waves coming in and going out.

You might say:

“Imagine the waves moving slowly toward the shore and then back out to sea. Feel your breath moving in and out in the same gentle way.”

Give the children a short period of quiet before slowly bringing them back to sitting.

Music Ideas

Music can add energy and imagination to a themed class. Songs about oceans, beaches, boats and sea animals can all work well.

Rather than relying on a fixed playlist, choose age-appropriate music that fits your group and setting. If you are teaching publicly, make sure the venue has appropriate music licensing.

Keep Kids Yoga Creative

Children do not need perfect poses. The goal is to help them move, imagine, cooperate and enjoy being in their bodies.

A themed class like this can combine yoga, storytelling, music, games and relaxation in a way that feels playful rather than formal.

For another themed lesson, try Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going Into Space.

If you enjoy leading creative movement with children, you may also be interested in the Circus Arts Leader Certification, which includes games, juggling, hula hooping, poi and group activities.

Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going to the Zoo and the Farm

by Veronique Rioux | Apr 19, 2018 | Yoga

A zoo and farm theme is a playful way to introduce children to yoga through animals, sounds, imagination and movement. This type of class works especially well for toddlers and younger children because familiar animals make the poses easy to understand and fun to remember.

This lesson can be adapted for parents, teachers, yoga instructors or group leaders. Aim for about 45 minutes, but shorten or expand it depending on the age and attention span of the group.

Theme and Value: Helpfulness

Begin by talking briefly about what it means to be helpful.

You might ask children:

How do you help at home?
How can you help a friend?
What does it feel like when someone helps you?

Keep the conversation simple and let the children share their own examples.

Welcome Circle

Sit together in a circle and use a familiar hello song or movement song to help everyone settle in.

You can then introduce the theme by asking:

What animals might we see on a farm? What animals might we see at the zoo?

Let the children help build the adventure.

Farm Yoga Poses

Scarecrow

Stand tall like Mountain Pose with the arms out wide.

Pretend you are watching over the garden and fields.

Tree

Balance on one leg in Tree Pose and imagine standing beside the barn.

A parent or partner can offer a hand for support.

Horse

Take a wide stance and bend the knees into a comfortable plié squat.

Pretend to trot or gently bounce like a horse.

Barn

Move into Triangle Pose and imagine making the shape of a barn roof with the body.

Farmer Driving a Tractor

Sit into Chair Pose and hold an imaginary steering wheel.

Turn the wheel from side to side as you drive through the field.

Duck

Come into a comfortable squat and waddle gently while saying “quack, quack.”

Dog

Move into Downward-Facing Dog.

Wag your tail or walk your feet gently.

Donkey

Instead of kicking into a handstand, keep this safer for younger children by staying on hands and knees and lifting one leg at a time behind you.

Add a playful “hee-haw.”

Goose

Try a comfortable seated or kneeling pose and flap the arms like wings.

You can also use a gentle pigeon-style shape if appropriate for the group.

Mouse

Curl into Child’s Pose and make yourself very small.

Take a few quiet breaths and add a tiny “squeak.”

Cat and Cow

Move between Cat and Cow on hands and knees.

Add “meow” and “moo” sounds to keep it playful.

Pig

Lie on your back and hug the knees toward the chest.

Rock gently from side to side like a pig rolling in the mud.

Zoo Yoga Poses

Brown Bear

Take a wide stance and move slowly like a bear.

You can reach down toward the floor as if catching fish.

Flamingo

Stand on one leg and flap your arms like wings.

Use a wall, parent or partner for balance if needed.

Lion

Sit or kneel comfortably, breathe in, then open the mouth and make a playful lion roar as you breathe out.

Keep it fun rather than forcing a particular breathing technique.

Elephant

Stand with the feet wide and clasp the hands together to make a trunk.

Swing gently from side to side.

Crocodile

Lie on the belly or hold a simple plank variation.

Pretend to move slowly through the water.

Tiger

Come onto hands and knees and move through a Cat-style shape.

You can add a growl or reach one arm and the opposite leg away if the child is ready for more balance.

Animal Movement Game

Call out an animal and let the children decide how it moves.

For example:

Horse — trot
Duck — waddle
Elephant — stomp
Flamingo — balance
Bear — crawl
Tiger — prowl
Frog — hop
Snake — slither

You can also let the children take turns choosing the next animal.

Add Music and Storytelling

Songs such as Old MacDonald Had a Farm or other animal-themed children’s music can work well for transitions and movement games.

You can also read an animal-themed book and pause to turn different animals into yoga poses.

If you use recorded music in a public class, make sure your setting has appropriate music licensing.

Zoo and Farm Relaxation

Finish by inviting the children to lie or sit comfortably.

Guide a short visualization:

“Imagine all the animals are getting ready to rest. The horses are quiet, the birds are settling into their nests, and the zoo is becoming peaceful. Take a slow breath and let your body become still too.”

Keep the relaxation brief and simple.

Keep Kids Yoga Playful

Children do not need perfect yoga poses. The goal is to move, imagine, make sounds, cooperate and have fun.

Animal themes are especially useful because children can understand the movement without needing complicated instructions.

For more themed classes, try Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: In the Garden, Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going Into Space or Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Beach & Ocean Theme.

If you enjoy leading creative movement with children, you may also be interested in the Circus Arts Leader Certification.

Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: Going Into Space

by Veronique Rioux | Apr 7, 2018 | Yoga

Yoga for children works best when it feels playful, imaginative and interactive. A themed class can help children explore movement, balance, coordination, breathing and creativity without making the experience feel too structured.

This Going Into Space lesson plan is designed for a parent-participation class of about 45 minutes, but you can shorten or expand it depending on the age and attention span of the group.

Start With Simple Expectations

Before beginning, keep the group expectations short and positive. For example: keep hands to yourself, use kind words, take turns, listen when someone else is speaking and, most importantly, have fun.

With younger children, it usually works better to keep reminders simple rather than giving too many rules at once.

Theme: Going Into Space

The idea behind this class is teamwork. Astronauts need to cooperate, help each other and share space, so the theme naturally creates opportunities to talk about working together.

You might ask:

What is more fun to do together than alone?

Let the children answer and build the theme from their ideas.

Hello Name Game

Sit in a circle and create a simple rhythm by tapping your thighs.

Sing:

Hello, [name], hello, [name], hello, [name] — it’s nice to see you here.

Repeat for each child.

This is a simple way to help everyone feel seen and included before the movement begins.

Sun Salutation

Move through a simple child-friendly Sun Salutation.

You can connect it to the space theme by talking about the sun and asking children what the sun gives us, such as light and warmth.

Keep the movements playful rather than worrying about perfect alignment.

Read a Space Book

Choose a short book about planets, astronauts or space that fits the age group.

This creates a natural transition from sitting and listening into imaginative movement.

Get Ready for Space

Pretend everyone is putting on a spacesuit.

You can use movements such as:

Forward fold — put on space pants
Cat-Cow — put on gloves and boots
Reach overhead — put on your helmet
Reach behind — attach your oxygen backpack
March slowly — walk toward the rocket

Encourage the children to invent their own movements too.

Moon Walk

Lie on your back and slowly reach the opposite arm and leg away from each other.

Then stand up and repeat the idea while moving very slowly around the room, pretending gravity is much lighter on the moon.

Ask the children how they imagine walking in space might feel.

Space-Themed Yoga Poses

Try a few poses connected to the theme:

Crescent Moon
Crescent Lunge
Five-Pointed Star
Half Moon
Shooting Star
Warrior poses for astronauts
Tree Pose as a tall space antenna

You do not need every child to make the same shape. Let them experiment with their own version.

Add Music and Movement

Music can help keep the class fun and energetic.

Choose age-appropriate songs about stars, rockets, planets or movement. You can also use a simple freeze-dance game: move around like astronauts while the music plays and freeze when it stops.

If you use recorded music in a public class, make sure your setting has the appropriate music licensing.

Earth and Moon Game

Have the child pretend to be Earth by slowly spinning in place while the parent or partner moves around them as the Moon.

Switch roles.

This is a fun way to practice coordination while introducing the basic idea that the Moon travels around Earth.

Keep enough space between pairs so nobody bumps into another group.

Create Your Own Galaxy

Pair children with a parent or another child and ask them to choose a planet.

Then have them invent a yoga pose or movement that represents that planet.

For example:

Mars — Warrior II
Saturn — Tree Pose with arms forming rings
Jupiter — a very big, wide pose
Mercury — a quick movement
Neptune — flowing wave-like movement

Then let each pair show the group what they created.

Relaxation: Floating Through Space

At the end of class, invite everyone to lie down comfortably.

Guide a short visualization:

Imagine you are floating gently through space. Your body feels light and supported. You can see tiny stars around you and colourful planets far away. There is nowhere you need to go and nothing you need to do. Just breathe slowly and enjoy floating.

Leave a little quiet time before inviting them to wiggle their fingers and toes and slowly sit up.

You can finish with a simple thank-you to the group or with Namaste if that is part of how you teach yoga.

Keep Kids Yoga Playful

Children do not need perfect yoga poses. They need opportunities to move, imagine, cooperate and enjoy being in their bodies.

A themed lesson like this can combine movement, storytelling, creativity and relaxation while keeping the class accessible and fun.

If you enjoy teaching movement to children, you may also be interested in the Circus Arts Leader Certification, which includes games, juggling, hula hooping, poi and adaptable activities for groups.

You can also explore Yoga & Mobility Classes in Nanaimo for more about my current yoga and movement teaching.

Kids Yoga Lesson Plan: In the Garden

by Veronique Rioux | Feb 22, 2018 | Yoga

A garden theme is a fun way to introduce children to yoga through imagination, nature and movement. It works especially well with toddlers and younger children because the poses can become seeds, trees, butterflies, frogs and other familiar parts of the natural world.

This lesson can be adapted for parents, teachers, yoga instructors or group leaders. Keep it playful, flexible and short enough to match the children’s attention span.

Theme: Patience

A garden is a natural way to explore patience because plants need time to grow.

You might ask children:

What do you have to wait for?
What is something that took you a long time to learn?
What happens after you plant a seed?
Can we make a flower grow instantly?

Keep the conversation simple and let the children share their own ideas.

Start With a Welcome Song

Begin with a familiar hello or movement song to help everyone settle into the group.

You can also introduce a simple sound such as “Om” if that is part of your teaching style. Rather than giving it a complicated explanation, invite the children to notice the vibration and sound together.

The goal is simply to create a calm transition into the class.

Mountain Pose

Stand tall with the feet grounded and arms relaxed.

Invite the children to imagine they are mountains beside the garden.

They can reach their arms overhead, sway slightly like trees in the wind or stand very still and strong.

Seed to Tree

Start curled up in Child’s Pose like a tiny seed under the soil.

Slowly begin to grow:

Lift the head.
Come onto the knees.
Rise to standing.
Reach the arms toward the sun.
Finish in Tree Pose.

For young children, a parent or partner can offer a hand for balance.

Snake Pose

Lie on the belly and gently lift the chest into a small Cobra Pose.

Pretend to be a snake moving through the garden.

Children can make a soft “ssssss” sound as they breathe out.

Keep the movement small and comfortable rather than asking them to lift as high as possible.

Butterfly Pose

Sit with the soles of the feet together and knees open.

Flap the knees gently like butterfly wings.

Ask the children where their butterfly is flying.

Maybe it lands on a flower, a tree or another part of the garden.

Frog Pose

Come into a comfortable squat or use a wide-legged position.

Children can pretend to be frogs sitting beside a pond.

Add small hops if the group has enough space and the children can land safely.

Cat and Cow

Come onto hands and knees.

Move slowly between a rounded back and a gently extended spine.

You can make animal sounds or turn it into a story about a cat wandering through the garden.

Downward-Facing Dog

Lift the hips into Downward-Facing Dog.

Pretend to be a dog exploring the garden.

Children can bend one knee and then the other, wag their “tail” or make dog sounds.

Upward-Facing Dog or Cobra

Lower back to the belly and lift the chest gently.

For younger children, Cobra is often an easier option than a full Upward-Facing Dog.

Ask them what their dog can see in the garden.

Flower Pose

Sit and create a flower shape with the body.

You can bring the feet together in Butterfly and lift the arms like petals, or invent your own flower pose as a group.

Let each child choose what colour their flower is.

Bee Breath

Sit comfortably and take a gentle breath in through the nose.

As you breathe out, make a soft humming sound like a bee.

Repeat a few times.

Keep it playful rather than focusing on doing the breathing technique perfectly.

Garden Movement Game

Call out different things found in a garden and let the children create movements for each one.

For example:

Seed — curl into a ball
Tree — stand tall
Butterfly — flap wings
Frog — squat or hop
Bee — buzz and move around
Snake — slither low
Rain — wiggle fingers downward
Sun — reach arms overhead

You can gradually speed up or let the children take turns calling out the next movement.

Planting a Pretend Garden

Pretend to dig the soil, plant seeds, cover them, water them and wait for them to grow.

Children can act out the whole process with their bodies.

This is a nice way to combine imaginative play with squatting, reaching, kneeling and standing.

Garden Relaxation

Finish by inviting everyone to lie down comfortably.

You might guide a short visualization:

“Imagine you are lying in a warm garden. You can feel the sun, hear the birds and smell the flowers. Your body is quiet and still, like a seed resting in the earth.”

Keep the relaxation brief for young children.