Unit 5: Flexibility and Balance · Lesson 7
Flexibility and Balance - Lesson 7
What this lesson is for
- The student will hold at least three animal-themed yoga poses (cat, cobra, downward dog) with control.
- The student will explain that each animal pose stretches a different part of the body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Corinthians 6:19
Yoga poses based on animals are a fun and imaginative way to develop flexibility, balance, and body awareness. The 'frog pose' involves squatting down with feet wider than shoulder-width apart, feet turned out, and knees bent and pushed open by the elbows — this stretches the inner thighs and hips. The 'tree pose' involves standing on one foot with the other foot pressed against the inner thigh or calf of the standing leg, hands together at the chest or raised overhead — this develops balance and focus. The 'eagle pose' involves crossing one arm over the other at the elbows, winding the forearms together, and balancing on one foot with the other leg crossed over — this develops concentration and upper-body flexibility.
These poses are used here purely for their excellent physical benefits: flexibility, balance, coordination, and body awareness. We practice them as physical exercises, appreciating that God designed our bodies with wonderful capacity for movement and flexibility. Psalm 8:4-5 says God has crowned humanity 'with glory and honour' and made us 'a little lower than the angels' — our physical bodies, with all their capabilities, reflect God's generous design. Using our bodies in creative and healthy ways honors the Creator who made them.
Activity: Practice each of the three animal poses. (1) Frog pose: Hold for 30 seconds. Feel the stretch in your inner thighs. (2) Tree pose: Hold for 20 seconds on each foot. Try to find a focus point on the wall to help with balance. (3) Eagle arms (you can do just the arms while standing with both feet on the ground): Hold for 15 seconds, then switch which arm is on top. Write: Which pose was hardest? Which was most relaxing? How does focusing on a single point help with balance?
Homework
Show your family your three animal poses (cat, cobra, downward dog) before bed.
Note for the parent
This lesson on Flexibility and Balance - Lesson 7 should take about 25 minutes. Stay nearby to help with reading and questions. Praise effort and progress.
The first three of this lesson's 10 questions
What does the 'frog pose' stretch in this lesson?
Show the answer
Answer: The inner thighs and hips — feet wide apart, knees pushed open by elbows, low squat position
The inner thighs and hips — feet wide apart, knees pushed open by elbows, low squat position is the correct answer.
What does the 'tree pose' develop?
Show the answer
Answer: Single-leg balance and focus — standing on one foot with the other foot pressed against the inner thigh
Single-leg balance and focus — standing on one foot with the other foot pressed against the inner thigh is the correct answer.
What does the 'cat-cow' pose from hands and knees develop?
Show the answer
Answer: Spinal flexibility — arching the back up (cat) and then dipping it down (cow) alternately
Spinal flexibility — arching the back up (cat) and then dipping it down (cow) alternately is the correct answer.
Another 7 questions follow in the lesson itself, each one graded the moment it is answered.