Shaunquetta N. Johnson
Introduction
The literacy block of my class schedule is a very long stretch of time. The students are involved in literacy activities from 9:20am until 11:20am. In this block of time, students are involved in whole and small group activities. At the second grade level, students have reading centers in which they take part in reading alone, reading with a buddy or small guided groups to reinforce comprehension and fluency skills. I observe my students becoming restless with the reading activities. They begin to get distracted by what other students are doing. Some will get "off task" and bother others with conversation and jokes. Others will begin moving around the classroom or in the space they are occupying which often times lead them to invade other students' space.
The book, The ABC of Yoga, inspired me to teach kids about health and fitness in a fun but yet educational way. This book also reinforces letter recognition that can develop into phonics and storytelling lessons. Yoga is a technique that enhances concentration, positive social behavior, self-discipline, and coordination while promoting mental and physical health. I thought yoga would be a great technique to teach young children because it's a tool and exercise they can use in adulthood. Yoga is a great way to incorporate physical fitness, social and emotional development, and cognitive skills across the curriculum. Yoga can benefit students by providing more exercise as a supplement to gym class that meets typically twice a week. Additionally, yoga can give students a well-deserved energy break in between lessons to recapture students' attention and focus, as well as to release any stored energy from seatwork.
I expect to teach students how to release their energy in a positive way without being a distraction to their self and others. My goal is to increase student participation by maintaining their attention and focus during group lessons. I want to provide students an awareness of their space while respecting the space of others. In promoting yoga as a self-control technique for students, I wish to incorporate learning and New Haven's curriculum into exercising. The poses performed in yoga can be in alphabet and animal form. Thus, yoga can reinforce language arts and science topics. Yoga also reinforces social behavior, health, and math (spatial awareness). Yoga is beneficial in childhood and can be carried on into adulthood to build stamina, flexibility and healthy habits.
Background
Yoga is a Hindu practice influenced by Buddhist philosophy. It was first mentioned in ancient Hindu scripture approximately 5000 years ago.
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The word yoga, meaning yoke, is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to join, unify, or attach.
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The traditional purpose of yoga was to aid in transformation or transcending the self. The goal of yoga was to provide wholeness, happiness and wellbeing. Today, this purpose can be translated into aligning the body, breathing and the mind.
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Foundations of Yoga: The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The Eight Limbs of Yoga are techniques that guide self-discipline and self-control. The Eight Limbs of Yoga, also referred to as the eightfold path of yoga, are rules for living more consciously and healthily. These techniques were written in the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, the greatest classical text from the yoga school of Indian philosophy. Originally, the Eight Limbs were taught orally and easily memorized, recited, or chanted. They are practiced in no particular order and intertwine to lead to the ultimate goal of Samadhi, self-realization.
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1.
Yama
(restraint) is abstaining from the bad habits. The five abstentions are violence, lying, theft, gluttony, and greed.
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Niyama
(observance) is a perception to acquire the good habits. The five perceptions are purity, contentment, self-discipline, self-directed learning, and devotion.
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Asana
(postures/poses) is focused on improving and developing the physical body. There are exercises that promote physical health, strength, and suppleness to achieve mastery of the body that leads to mastery of the mind (how and what you think).
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Pranayama
(breath control) gains control of energy to increase vitality.
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Pratyahara
(sense withdrawal) directs attention inward, independent of the senses, helps induce emotional rest.
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Dharana
(concentration) focuses on a specific point or image in order to increase spiritual strength include a candle flame, flower, or mantra.
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Dhyana
(meditation) helps prevent disturbing thoughts from disrupting the concentration.
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Samadhi
(self-realization) forms true knowledge or enlightenment, conscious awareness of one's unity with the universe or God, unrestricted by judgment.
Yamas (Restraints)
There are five forms of restraints (in which I have described in the positive) students will learn to deepen their knowledge and appreciate the yoga experience. Yamas teaches how to live in society and to refrain from bad habits.
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1.
Ahimsa
(non-violence) promotes self-love and positive interactions with others and anything; not wanting to harm anyone or anything, including yourself and living in a society that is peaceful, kind, and loving.
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Satya
(honesty) is being true to and honest with yourself and others and encompasses honesty in speech and action that leads to trust and integrity.
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3. Asteya (not stealing) is taking and using things that are freely given to you, i.e. possessions, ideas, and time, and refraining from jealousy and coveting realizing that what you have is enough and all you need.
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Brahmacarya
(conservation): develops and maintains self-control in all aspects of life including physical, sexual, and mental and not allowing wants and desires to disrespect or diminish others, including yourself; controlling your senses. It's refraining from over-indulgences.
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Aparigraha
(avoiding greed) distinguishes needs from wants to live off of what you need, i.e. food, objects, time, attention. It's learning to live simple and respecting the environment.
Niyamas (Perceptions)
There are five forms of perceptions students will learn about themselves and others. Students will learn to be accepting of themselves and others with judgment.
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1.
Saucha
(cleanliness) is maintaining a clean body and environment that includes good hygiene, clean house and room, eating fresh and healthy foods, and creating a life based on a foundation of pure words, actions and thoughts.
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Santosha
(contentment) is being happy with who you are, where you are, and with what you have. It's being simple and frugal, maintaining a calm attitude, and accepting that what you have is enough.
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Tapas
(self-discipline) is setting goals and not giving up easily, putting forth all your effort to make the most of yourself, being a hard worker, and developing perseverance. It's making commitments and upholding them.
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Svadhyaya
(self-directed learning) is becoming a life-long learner, having openness to new ideas and approaches, and completing class and homework assignments while exploring topics of interests, self-study and personal thinking.
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Ishvara pranidhana
(devotion) is letting go of preconceived judgments of self, others, and situations; thinking and committing to a higher power or divinity and living with love and recognizing positive energy in life.
Hatha Yoga
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This unit will concentrate on Hatha yoga, which is age appropriate for children. Ha means "sun" and tha means "moon". Hatha yoga is the union of the sun and moon, healthy joining of the two opposites the mind and the body leading to strength, vitality, and tranquility. Hatha yoga is physical yoga that involves numerous postures or poses (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama) and relaxation. There are numerous variations of yoga practiced today including Jnana yoga, study and meditation; Bhakti yoga, prayer; Karma yoga, selfless actions; Mantra yoga, scared sounds; and Raja yoga, Eight Limbs-Yoga Sutras.
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There are several styles of yoga that are more appropriate for adults because of the physical demand and state of consciousness required. For example, Ashtanga yoga is physically demanding and requires a rigorous workout of jumps and breathing techniques to develop strength, flexibility, and stamina. Svaroopa yoga strives for an inner experience with greater consciousness. This form of yoga focuses on opening the spine, and not performing athletic postures. Hatha yoga is kid-friendly and is not an athletic or mentally demanding. It's a form of yoga that concentrates on relaxing through breathing and postures performed to a person's ability.
Learning Objectives
Students will recount stories, fables, to determine the central message, lesson or moral.
Students will explain how the lesson or moral is conveyed through key details in the text.
Students will retell fables through yoga, as well as create an awareness of their bodies and personal space. Students will read and understand moral conclusions of fables while applying asanas (postures/poses) during a retell. Additionally, students will apply the Eight Limbs of Yoga to fables, specifically yamas (restraints) and niyamas (perceptions). See Appendix A Implementing District Standards
