Small-Group Yoga Flow: Create and Teach
Groups of four choose four calm pose cards, put them in order as a flow with counted breaths, and teach it to another group, which practices it and offers one improvement. It builds independence in cool-downs, teamwork, and communication.
How to play
- Groups of four with their yoga mats; each group gets a deck of 12 cards with gentle poses illustrated (mountain, tree, child's pose, cat, low cobra, butterfly, twist, seated forward fold, and so on) (0.5 min).
- Each group picks four cards and sets the order with a logic: standing to seated and seated to lying down; they note how many breaths each pose lasts (2 min).
- Groups rehearse their flow twice in a row, with one member quietly calling the pose changes (2 min).
- Groups pair up: group A teaches its flow to group B with verbal cues and no hands-on adjustments, and group B practices it (2 min).
- Switch roles: group B teaches and group A practices (2 min).
- Each group gives the other one specific improvement (order, breaths, or cues), then everyone lies down for one silent minute (1.5 min).
Rules
- Every flow ends in a seated or lying pose.
- The teaching group uses words and demonstration, never positioning another student's body.
- No adding poses that aren't on the cards.
- Feedback is phrased positively and includes an example.
Variations
Easier
Three-card flows, with the teacher providing the standing, seated, lying order up front.
Standard
A four-pose flow taught to another group with an exchange of improvements.
Harder
Add an original transition between poses and explain why the flow calms the body.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the group includes at least two seated poses everyone does the same way.
- Hearing impairment: the teaching group shows the card and the pose face-to-face before each change.
- Low flexibility: each card shows an easier version in one corner.
Learning goals
- Design a cool-down sequence independently.
- Explain a pose clearly to other people.
- Give and receive suggestions for improvement respectfully.
Equipment for a class of 25
- yoga mats: 25
- cards: 72
Teacher tip
Laminate the cards once and they'll last all year; call out the time because groups tend to spend too long designing and run out of time to teach.
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