Autumn Leaf Journey Relaxation Story
Lying down with soft music, students listen to the journey of a leaf that lets go of its tree, floats on the wind, drops into a river, and reaches the shore, relaxing each body part the story names. Students work on guided relaxation and imagination.
How to play
- Each student lies on their back on a yoga mat, arms at their sides and eyes closed, while soft music plays at low volume.
- Three slow breaths to turn into a leaf: breathing in fills the leaf, breathing out makes it light (1 minute).
- Part one: the leaf hangs from the tree and lets go. Relax the feet and legs, feeling them heavy on the floor (1.5 minutes).
- Part two: the wind rocks the leaf from side to side. Sway the body very slowly side to side and relax the back and arms (1.5 minutes).
- Part three: the leaf drops into the river and floats. Relax the face, jaw, and eyes while the water carries it slowly (1.5 minutes).
- Ending: the leaf reaches a sunny shore. Wiggle the fingers, stretch, and roll to one side to sit up; two or three students share what color their leaf was (2 minutes).
Rules
- Silence during the whole story.
- Stay on your own mat without touching anyone.
- Close your eyes, or look at the ceiling if closing them feels uncomfortable.
- Roll to your side before sitting up.
Variations
Easier
A four-minute story with just two parts: the tree and the ground.
Standard
The full leaf story from the tree to the shore with soft music.
Harder
At the end, each student traces their leaf's path in the air with a finger and explains it to a partner.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility listen seated and reclined with head support.
- For students with autism, preview the story with pictures and allow eyes to stay open.
- If the class comes in very wound up, start with 30 seconds of standing stretches before lying down.
Learning goals
- Relax different body parts following a guided story.
- Use imagination to reach a calm state.
- Share the feelings and sensations noticed during the relaxation.
Equipment for a class of 25
- yoga mats: 25
- music: 1
Teacher tip
Read the story slowly with long pauses; it's better to have time left over. Keep the script on a card so you aren't improvising in an unsure voice.
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