Chair yoga

A guide to practicing yoga in the classroom

© Copyright Cathy O’Connor 2020 1

 Disclaimer
Activities promoted by this material can be physical and demanding, and may, if not undertaken properly and with the correct
training, have inherent hazards associated with them. It is the responsibility of the individual/and or school (“programme user”)
ultimately delivering the programme to the children (“child user(s)”) to take all reasonable precautions to try and ensure the safety of
all child users.
Specific parental/guardian consent should be sought by the programme user from the parent or guardian of each child user. It is the
responsibility of programme user to obtain this consent.
The use of this material by the programme user is done entirely at the risk of the programme user for which the author shall not be
liable. It is the responsibility of the programme user to ensure the suitability of the material for the child users.

Usage policy:
This material has been produced and licensed to Schooldays.ie as a continuing professional development (“CPD”) programme for
primary and pre-school teachers (“programme user”). The material and any additional material provided for planning/classroom use
to the programme user may only be used for that purpose and may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
Each programme user agrees to use this material, together with any additional material provided for planning/classroom use, in line
with this policy and that of Schooldays.ie. Reproduction of this material otherwise than in line with this policy and that of
Schooldays.ie is strictly prohibited.

Copyright:
© Copyright Cathy O’Connor 2020

© Copyright Cathy O’Connor 2020 2

 Chair yoga in the classroom
When it is one of those days that you
don’t have an allotted time in the
school halla and the rain may be
milling down outside, what can you
do? Your little yogis might be restless
and need some movement and
activity to keep their minds focused
and active. Try a little chair yoga
followed by a body scan and you will
feel the calm flow in and around your
classroom!

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 Seated tree-don’t forget always
Forward Fold/Puppet Pose switch sides

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 Side Stretches
Repeat the stretch several times on
Take a stretch on both sides both sides

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 Seated pigeon
Knee taps
Keep the ankle in line with the foot on
Alternate elbows and knees the floor and lean slightly forward;
breath, relax and switch sides

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 Extended Leg Stretch Twisted Pigeon
Keep the foot of the elevated leg pointing upwards and Left ankle to right knee, right arm behind and twist
active, keep the back straight, shoulders relaxed. the body, bring the sole of the left foot to the left
Breath, relax and then switch sides forearm; relax, breath and then switch sides

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 The warriors; always practice on both sides

Warrior 2 Reverse warrior

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 Extended Side Angle pose Standing tree

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 Dancer Pose Cat pose

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 Chair pose Seated Mountain pose

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 Butterfly; keep the soles of the feet
together, remind the children that they bow
Warrior 3 the head, chin to chest (safety purposes)

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 The dogs

Downward facing dog Upward facing dog

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 Flower pose; remind the children of Donkey Kicks; take care of who may
safety first when balancing on the be behind when you practice your
chair. kicks

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 Camel pose; hold the edge of the seat, ensure the chair
is steady and safe, arch the back, raise the bottom,
engage the core and drop the head back slightly

Childs pose; good chest opener, drop the chest towards

the floor

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 Bow pose Superhero

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 Upward salute Reverse plank

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 Bridge Star

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 And finally

Belly breathing Position for body scan

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 Meditation pose
To finish your chair yoga session, ask the
children to relax in meditation pose holding
the hands facing upwards and fingers in
chin mudra. Keep the arms straight and
bow the head. Choose a simple meditation
here accompanied by some relaxing sounds
such as waves on the shore, sounds from
nature etc… when the children are finished
meditating, ask them to gently wriggle their
fingers and toes, rotate the head and roll
the shoulders and return to the room ready
for some productive work and learning fun!

© Copyright Cathy O’Connor 2020 20

 Chair yoga flow

Please watch these videos which will • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbhr0TMmg9I

provide some inspiration for a chair
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JD2b1g7nro
yoga flow and sequencing along with
breathing activities and meditation • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZGYbfGrBUg
techniques.

© Copyright Cathy O’Connor 2020 21