Pass the Ball, Pick the Pose

Seated in a circle, the group rolls a foam ball across the floor; whoever gets it suggests a yoga pose and the whole class copies it for three breaths. It builds attention, listening, and participation from every student during the cool-down.

How to play

1. The whole class sits cross-legged in a circle; the teacher holds the foam ball (0.5 min).
2. The teacher rolls the ball to someone while saying their name; that student does any yoga pose they know (1 min).
3. The whole group copies the pose and holds it for three breaths, counted softly by the student who chose it (1 min).
4. The ball holder rolls it to someone who hasn't had a turn; keep going until almost everyone has suggested a pose (3.5 min).
5. The teacher picks the last pose: lying on the back with the ball on the belly, watching it rise and fall with each breath (1 min).

Rules

• The ball always rolls on the floor, never through the air.
• Say the receiver's name before rolling.
• Don't repeat a pose that has already been used.
• If you don't want to choose, say "pass" and pick someone else.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student suggests seated poses, and the group does them seated too.
• Shyness: the student can point to a pose on the chart instead of demonstrating it first.
• Visual impairment: use a bell ball, and the student who chooses describes the pose out loud.

Learning goals

• Suggest and lead a yoga pose in front of the group.
• Carefully imitate classmates' poses.
• Stay calm while waiting for a turn.

Equipment for a class of 25

• foam balls: 1

Teacher tip

Keep a mental tally of who has had the ball so nobody is left out. If poses repeat, ask for a twist: "tree with wide branch arms."

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Elementary