Cloud Watching Open Awareness

Lying outdoors, students watch the sky and practice open awareness: noticing sounds, sensations, and thoughts and letting them drift by like clouds. It builds relaxation, mindfulness, and enjoyment of the outdoors.

How to play

1. The group lays yoga mats in a partly shaded area of the blacktop or field, in a circle with heads toward the center (1 min).
2. Students lie on their backs and take five slow breaths looking at the sky (1 min).
3. The teacher asks them to watch the clouds, their shapes and movement, without thinking about anything else (1.5 min).
4. Attention widens to surrounding sounds: birds, traffic, wind; just notice them without judging (1.5 min).
5. Students close their eyes and imagine each thought that shows up is a cloud drifting in and out of the sky (1 min).
6. They open their eyes, roll to one side, and sit up; each student says one word about what stood out most (1 min).

Rules

• Never look directly at the sun; if it's bright, close your eyes or wear a cap.
• Stay silent during the whole observation.
• Choose an area with no balls or other classes passing through.
• Sit up slowly by rolling to one side.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: do it seated in a chair or wheelchair, with the head supported if possible.
• Visual impairment: focus on sounds, air, and the temperature on the skin.
• Restless students or attention difficulties: allow a hand on the belly to count breaths.

Learning goals

• Practice open awareness of external and internal cues.
• Relax while enjoying the outdoors.
• Notice thoughts without getting caught up in them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• yoga mats: 25

Teacher tip

Pick partly cloudy days; on clear days, swap clouds for treetops. Coordinate with other classes so nothing noisy is going on nearby.

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