Rainbow Ribbons and Lesson Plan

 

Dance ribbons are so fun to use in kids yoga classes. You can buy dance ribbons on sticks online, but sometimes it is hard to hold the stick and do yoga poses at the same time. So, I prefer to make my own (or have the kids make them themselves) using rubber bracelets.

Rainbow ribbons and tuille are tied onto a bracelet, and then kids can put them on their wrists for a hands-free dance ribbon experience. Any yoga pose is fun with these dance ribbons, but they are especially fun for painting rainbows and freeze dancing.

Don’t skip using the tulle ribbon. The tulle gives the ribbons more “body” and helps the ribbon stay in the air longer, instead of just hanging down. As you paint in the air, the tulle and  ribbons float behind your hand so you really do feel like you are painting the air.

Check out the bottom of the page for a downloadable The End of the Rainbow Lesson Plan Package that uses these Rainbow Ribbons.

Rainbow Ribbons for Kids Yoga

Materials:

-Rainbow Ribbon, or an assortment of different colored ribbon (a good way to use up ribbon scraps)

-Tulle Ribbon - This ribbon helps keep the ribbons floating in the air. Find it in the wedding section of a craft store.

-Rubber Bracelets (like Stretch Magic Silkies Bracelets or Jelly Bracelets) or have kids bring in their own bracelets

-Scissors

Steps:

1. Measure and Cut Ribbon and Tulle

Decide the length of the ribbons and tulle you want for the prop, and then double that measurement.  For the dance ribbon in the picture, 4 feet of ribbon was used to make a 2 foot dancing ribbon.  Try making the ribbons the arm’s length of the child for dancing, so two arm’s lengths for cutting.

2. Tie Ribbons and Tulle to Bracelet

 

Tie the ribbons and tulle to the bracelet. (I like using the Lark’s Head Knot.)

Tie them closely together on the bracelet or tie both pieces on at the same time like in the picture above.

3. Do some yoga or dance with it!

Now slip the bracelet on your wrist and paint some rainbows!

P.S. My neighbors officially think I am crazy after watching me take pictures of myself dancing with Rainbow Ribbons in the street! 

We've created an entire lesson plan that uses these Rainbow Ribbons! You can download The End of the Rainbow Lesson Plan Package, which includes "The End of the Rainbow" relaxation story from Imaginations 2. It includes rainbow poses, games, a "recipe" for making a rainbow, and time-extender activities. 

The End of the Rainbow Lesson Plan Package PDF
$9.99

This lesson plan is all you need for a fun, rainbow-themed kids yoga class. Perfect year-round or in March for St. Patrick's Day. Class is based on Rainbow Ribbon props, and includes instructions for assembly.

Lesson Plan Package includes:

Part 1: Rainbow-themed Lesson Plan

Full lesson plan with poses, props, suggested music, and verbal cues. 

Part 2: Relaxation Story- The End of the Rainbow

A rainbow-themed relaxation story from Imaginations 2: Relaxation Stories and Guided Imagery. 

Part 3: Time Extenders

Some classes are longer than others, so these are some extra ideas to help you keep time filled. 

Part 4: Lesson Plan at-a-Glance

An outline of the entire lesson. It is a convenient, at-a-glance list to use while teaching.

After checking out, you will receive an email with a link to download your PDF Lesson Plan Package. The link is good for 24 hours.

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Pumpkin Spice Yoga Lesson Plan

Pumpkin Spice Yoga For Kids

If pumpkin spice lattes, muffins, and ice cream aren’t enough, now there is Pumpkin Spice Yoga for Kids! I love using mini-pumpkins as a fun prop for kid’s yoga. They are an inexpensive and natural way to spice up (sorry, couldn't resist!) your class. Look for ones that have short stems.

 

Here’s how:

 

-Set up mats in a circle with a pumpkin on each mat. Write your name on the bottom of your pumpkin. (Or write it for them ahead of time). Give a few sprays of a spicy essential oil- like cinnamon or clove (always check for allergies). Now you have your Pumpkin Spice!

 

-Pumpkin Gazing-

 

Look at your pumpkin. Notice the color, the shape. Take 5 deep breaths staring only at your pumpkin.

 

-Pumpkin Pie-

 

Sitting down, put your legs in a “V”. Put your pumpkin on the floor in the middle of the “V”. Reach your arms up, and over your legs reaching for your feet. Take a deep breath in and out while in the oven. Ding! It is done!

 

-Pumpkin on the Table-

 

Balance your pumpkin on your back (or belly) depending on which version of Table you are doing. Or, try both!

 

-Pumpkin Seed-

 

Curl up into child’s pose and hide your pumpkin underneath you (tucked under your body, arms, wherever you have room to hide it.) Imagine you are a seed planted in the soil. The rain comes and gives your seed water, now it gives it sun. Let your seed sprout! Hold onto your pumpkin and “sprout” your arms up. Come onto your knees and lift your arms high in the air holding your pumpkin.

 

-Pumpkin Salutations-

 

Namaste Pumpkin- Stand up in Mountain and bring hands and pumpkin to your chest.

 

Flying Pumpkin- Reach your pumpkin up to the sky.

 

Plant a Pumpkin- Bring your pumpkin to the ground (hinging at your hips). Set it down.

 

Pumpkin Lunge- Step one foot back into a lunge (your pumpkin is cheering you on!).

 

Lizard Smells a Pumpkin- Stretch back one leg, and then the other for Plank Pose. Stick your lizard tongue out and smell your pumpkin.

 

Snake Smells a Pumpkin- Drop your knees down, legs straighten and chest lifts up for Cobra Pose. Smell that pumpkin with your SSSSSSSSsnake tongue!

 

Dog Smells a Pumpkin- Press back into Downward Facing Dog and imagine that you are a puppy dog smelling the pumpkin. Dogs love to sniff and smell everything!

 

Pumpkin Lunge- Step one foot forward into a lunge (your pumpkin is cheering you on!).

 

Pick a Pumpkin- Step one foot and then the other into Standing Forward Fold. Pick your pumpkin up off the earth.

 

Flying Pumpkin- Bring your pumpkin up to the sky.

 

Namaste Pumpkin- Bring your pumpkin to your heart.

 

Repeat on the other side

 

-Pumpkin Patch

 

Put your pumpkins in the center of the circle. Practice some balancing poses while focusing on your pumpkin.

 

Tree

Warrior 3

Eagle Pose

Use more balancing poses if time permitting

 

-Pick Your Pumpkin

 

Crab walk to your pumpkin, pick your pumpkin, and then table walk back to your mat with your pumpkin on your belly.

 

-Pumpkin Toes

 

Lie on your back and hold your pumpkin up in the air with your feet.

 

-Pumpkin Breathing

 

Lie on your back and put your pumpkin on your belly.

 

-Pumpkin Relaxation

This is a version of the "Planting a Seed" story in  Imaginations. You could also use "A Fall Day" from  Imaginations 2 if you are using this lesson to celebrate fall.

Imagine that you have a magical seed in your hands.

Whisper a secret to the seed.

Tell it you’d like it to grow into a pumpkin.

Now dig a hole in the ground.

Plant your seed in the hole and cover it with dirt.

Imagine that it starts to rain.

Water slowly soaks into the soil.

Now the sun comes out and shines brightly on the garden.

You start to see a tiny sprout poke up out of the soil.

Tangled roots grow down into the ground.

And the seed grows

And grows…

And grows…

And grows into a beautiful pumpkin.

What color is your pumpkin?

What shape is your pumpkin?

What is special about your pumpkin?

Enjoy looking at your beautiful pumpkin.

 

 

Pumpkin Craft-

 

Decorate your mini-pumpkin.  Choose from any of the suggested materials:

 

Stickers

Markers (need to be permanent so they will write)

Glitter glue

Paint


I hope you LOVE using mini-pumpkins as much as I do! Have other ideas for using them in yoga classes? Share them in the comments section below.

Namaste,

Carolyn

Carolyn Clarke
BambinoYoga.com
Info@bambinoyoga.com