Mindful Body Scan
Guided body scan: lying down, students mentally travel through the body from feet to head, noticing each area.
How to play
- Students lie on their backs with eyes closed.
- The teacher guides attention to the feet, legs, belly, chest, arms, neck and face.
- In each area they notice whether it feels tense or relaxed, and let it go.
- Finish with a deep breath and come back slowly.
Rules
- Silence.
- If your mind wanders, come back to the body part being named.
Variations
Easier
Short scan of 3 areas.
Standard
Full scan.
Harder
Afterward, describe the tensest area in one word.
Adaptations
- Students who can't lie down: seated.
- Attention difficulties: short version.
Learning goals
- Develop body awareness.
- Promote relaxation.
PatioLab has "Mindful Body Scan" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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