Animal Yoga Pose Charades

In small groups, one student secretly draws a card and acts out the animal with a slow yoga pose; the others guess silently and then everyone copies it. Students work on body expression, observation and calm.

How to play

1. 5 groups of 5 sitting in circles, each with 8 face-down animal cards (30 sec).
2. One student takes a card without showing it and acts out the animal with a still pose, no sounds (30 sec).
3. Students who know raise a hand silently; the performer picks one with eye contact, who answers quietly.
4. If correct, the group copies the pose for 3 breaths; if no one gets it in 30 seconds, show the card and do it anyway.
5. The turn rotates right until everyone has acted at least once; the group adds up its correct guesses (6 min).
6. To close, each group repeats its favorite pose with eyes closed and lies down for 30 seconds (1 min).

Rules

• To answer, raise your hand and wait for the performer's eye contact.
• The performer can't talk, make noises or point at objects.
• Only safe, still poses: no jumping and no weight on the head.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: poses using only the trunk, arms and face from a chair are accepted.
• Visual impairment: a partner describes the pose in words so the student can guess, then talks them into the shape.
• Shy students: they may act out the animal with a partner from the group.

Learning goals

• Show animals clearly with the body, without words.
• Watch classmates' poses closely.
• Hold calm poses while coordinating them with breathing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• animal cards: 40

Teacher tip

Remind students the challenge is guessing in silence: if a group gets excited and loud, have everyone take one deep bear breath before going on. Use animals with familiar poses for the first rounds.

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