Partner Yoga Statues
Pairs create balance statues together on mats, supporting each other to hold yoga-style poses for a few seconds. It improves balance, body control and cooperation while keeping the pace calm at the end of class.
How to play
- Pairs of similar height share a mat; start standing face to face and take two slow breaths together (0.5 min).
- Statue 1, mirror tree: stand side by side, inside hands on each other's shoulder, lift the outside foot to the ankle or calf and hold 10 seconds; switch sides (1.5 min).
- Statue 2, airplane bridge: face each other, hold hands and both lean forward slightly while lifting one leg behind, holding 10 seconds (1.5 min).
- Statue 3, seated boat: sit facing each other, hold hands, press soles together and lift the legs into a V for 10 seconds (1.5 min).
- Free statue: each pair invents one balance statue and holds it for 10 seconds while the teacher counts aloud (2 min).
- Finish sitting back to back, breathing slowly together (1 min).
Rules
- Move slowly into and out of each statue.
- Never pull your partner; support them gently.
- Tell your partner "ready" before starting and "down" before letting go.
- Stay on your mat and away from other pairs.
Variations
Easier
Pairs do simple statues with both feet on the ground, such as back-to-back sits or mirrored arm poses.
Standard
Pairs complete the three guided statues and one invented statue.
Harder
Pairs hold each statue for 20 seconds or create a statue with only three points of contact on the floor between them.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: do seated statues focused on arm and upper-body balance with a partner.
- Students who prefer no contact: mirror the partner's pose facing them without touching.
- Students with low balance: hold the statue for 5 seconds and keep the lifted foot close to the floor.
Learning goals
- Improve balance with a partner's support.
- Cooperate and communicate to hold a shared pose.
- Calm the body with slow movements and breathing.
Equipment for a class of 25
- yoga mats: 13
Teacher tip
Demonstrate each statue with a student first. Pair students by size and focus praise on steady, controlled statues rather than difficult ones.
PatioLab has "Partner Yoga Statues" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More cool-downs for Elementary
4-7-8 Guided Breathing
Guided 4-7-8 breathing: breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 and breathe out for 8, to calm the class at the end of the lesson. Students learn a self-regulation strategy and bring their heart rate down.
5-Senses Mindfulness
Using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, students calmly notice 5 things they can see, 4 they can hear, 3 they can touch, 2 they can smell and 1 they can taste. It trains attention to the present moment and gives them a simple tool to calm down when they feel stressed.
Back Drawing with Partner
In pairs, one student slowly draws a shape, letter or number on a partner's back with a finger, and the partner guesses it before roles switch. Students develop tactile perception, calm and trust.
Balloon Belly Breathing
Students imagine a balloon in their belly that gently fills when they breathe in and empties when they breathe out, feeling it with a hand. It teaches belly breathing in a fun, visual way that helps students calm down after activity.
Balloon Stretching
A balloon cool-down: gentle taps to keep the balloon in the air and stretches holding it with different body parts, ending with belly breathing. Students bring their heart rate down, work on flexibility and focus on breathing.
Body Journal
Students pause to check in on how their body feels after class—energy, tiredness, muscles and mood—and record it in a quick 'body journal' using fingers, gestures and a short sentence. It develops body awareness and the habit of reflecting on physical activity.