The Pirate Ship on a Calm Sea

Sitting in a line one behind the other, the pirate crew sails across a sea that gets calmer and calmer: they sway together to the rhythm of their breathing until the ship is still. It builds breathing, gentle rocking and group calm.

How to play

1. Sit on the floor in rows of five, legs open, one behind the other: that's the ship (1 min).
2. The waves are still big: we all sway together from side to side (1 min).
3. The waves get smaller: we sway more slowly and breathe together, in as we lean, out as we come back (1 min).
4. Calm sea: the ship stops and each pirate rests hands on the back of the pirate in front to feel them breathe (1 min).
5. Drop anchor: blow out slowly, stand up without hurrying and step off the ship (1 min).

Rules

• The ship moves all together.
• I sway gently, without pushing the pirate in front.
• When the sea is calm, we don't talk.
• Hands on my friend's back stay soft.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: be the captain at the front of the ship, swaying the trunk from the wheelchair.
• Autism: sit at the back of the ship with no one touching their back, or do it seated alone.
• Hearing loss: the captain sets the rhythm with an arm swinging side to side like a pendulum.

Learning goals

• Breathe slowly and in sync.
• Match a swaying motion to the group's.
• Shift from activity to calm.

Teacher tip

Be the captain yourself at first, sitting in front of one ship and speaking very softly. If someone pushes hard, the ship "sinks" and starts over from the small waves, no fuss.

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