The Beanbag That Settles in the Bowl

Standing very still, each child drops a beanbag into a bowl at their feet, first watching and then with eyes closed, guided by the teacher's calm voice. Energy comes down through a very slow, mindful aiming movement.

How to play

1. Everyone sets their bowl on the floor, stands right over it, and holds the beanbag with an outstretched arm (1 min).
2. We take three breaths and drop the beanbag very slowly into the bowl (1 min).
3. We pick it up, bending down like a falling leaf, and try with the other hand (1 min).
4. Now with eyes closed: we feel where the bowl is and let the beanbag go (1 min).
5. We lie down with the beanbag on our belly and watch it go up and down as we breathe (2 min).

Rules

• I move slowly, like slow motion.
• I whisper or stay quiet.
• My beanbag goes in my bowl.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the bowl sits on their lap or a table and they drop the beanbag from their hand.
• Visual impairment: put some rice in the bowl so the beanbag makes a sound when it lands.
• Autism: if closing their eyes feels uncomfortable, they keep them open the whole time.

Learning goals

• Calm the body after exercise.
• Refine a slow, precise movement.
• Notice their breathing.

Equipment for a class of 25

• beanbags: 25
• plastic bowls: 25

Teacher tip

Use unbreakable plastic bowls. Dim the lights if you can and speak more and more softly. Let them repeat if they want: the slow movement is what calms them.

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