Classroom Yoga Corner – Space to Think…

Do you ever just need to get away and remove yourself from a situation to be able to process it and deal with the emotions before you re-engage? Do you need to retreat to a quiet spot when technology and stimulation get to be too much?

When we don’t take the time to get away from it all this over-stimulation builds in our system until we can no longer focus, we get agitated, edgy and end up loosing our tempers quicker. Sound familiar?

If we need to take that time to get away image how your child is needing this or a whole classroom of students all needing to take time out to retreat?

Space to Re-set

A classroom yoga corner is a place for students to re-set their system. This works equally well in a classroom or your child’s bedroom. It doesn’t need to be large – just big enough to house your child and the emotion they need to release through lying in Relaxation Pose, moving through a series of poses, or taking a few deep breaths with a breathing ball.

We all tend to release emotions differently. Some of us need a quiet place to go and tune out the world around us others need to move and shake it off. In the How to Guide below there are options for both types of spaces. They can co-exist. It might be one space for either type of release in which case you will add in tools from both lists. Or you may sense that one is more appropriate for your location and your students or child.

The How-to Guide to Create a Classroom Yoga Corner

Create a space where kids can go to;

• Chill out and be ready to learn.
• Stretch and move when they need to.
• Feel safe and calm for a moment.
• Work out a problem with a friend.
• Stimulate their creativity.

Step 1: Name It

Put a name to this place that represents what your intention is for the space. What will it be?

• The Yoga Corner
• Take 5 Zone
• The Chill Out Mat
• Zen Zone, Zen Place
• Stretch Space
• ???

Step 2: Create the Space

It doesn’t need to be big, even the size of a yoga mat is lots of space for kids. The idea is that it is a safe haven to come to, usually alone.

Step 3: Anchor the Space

Use a yoga mat, a small rug or foam tiles to define a border or container. This space will help house the emotions and the young body that will be present.

Step 4: Define Your Intention

How do you see the space being used? Is this an area to chill out and relax, soothe your fears or stretch and move and get the sillies out…

Creating a poster with your class with the name, rules and intentions for the space helps to make the space belong to your students/kids.

Step 5: Give Structure and Purpose.

Fill the space with props and tools to give guidance and support for how you want the space to be used.

For a quiet corner include;

• a picture or poster of a quiet yoga pose or a peaceful place in nature.
• quiet books to act out such as Each Breath A Smile, The Imagine a Day Series, Wangari’s Trees of Peace for the older kids.
• photos or pose cards with quiet poses such as breathing poses, balance poses and relaxation poses.
• mandalas to colour to get quick access to that zen space
• a Hoberman breathing ball to focus the breath
• breathing buddies provide cuddles for tears and fun to act out the animal pose.

For an active release space;

• Posters with poses are great inspiration check out YogaKids, Grounded and The ABC’s of Yoga.
• Create a weekly sequence using your yoga pose cards and magnets on a white board or just have pose cards available to make your own sequence.
• Active books to act out with yoga might include Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, My Daddy is a Pretzel and the Eric Carle Brown Bear and Polar Bear books,
• books on yoga with photos of the poses are great inspiration as well for kids, especially older kids to experiment with challenging poses.

Creating this space, this refuge helps to teach your students to tune into what is inside and take a break and honour the emotions whatever they are.

Like this? Share with your fellow teachers, your child’s teacher and friends.

What do your students love to use in your classroom yoga corner? Share in the comments below to help other teachers create this safe haven.