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Fundamental Movement Skills - Yoga Balancing Exercises
Today we will be doing three balancing activities and we will challenge ourselves to do them with our closed eyes. This is one of the fundamental movement skills that can help a child learn to be motivated to be active in different ways and move with confidence. These movement skills can help improve strength, posture, sleep, concentration, social skills and feel a sense of achievement.
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1. Prepare open space, ensuring floor is free of any hazards or objects.
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2. Play soft relaxing music.
Children learn through observing others and trying things out for themselves. Begin this activity by inviting your child "Hey! Can you help me make some space so we can try out these new balancing exercises?”. Children are curious learners and may ask you questions about what these balancing exercises are. If they do, welcome their questions and answer in an age-appropriate way; “Balancing helps us become stronger. I’m going to try the first one, watch me and try to do it too”. Complete the three balancing exercises below and challenge each other by completing them with your eyes shut. Notice the difference. Give your child the chance to take the lead and create their own balancing poses. This is a fun way to raise body awareness, coordination and flexibility skills. Have fun balancing and remember to take deep breaths in each exercise.
Exercise #1 - Tightrope Walk:
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1. Step heel to toe, one foot in front of the toes of the other foot and repeat on the other side.
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2. Walk for 5 to 10 steps. You can spread your arms out to the sides to maintain your balance.
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3. Challenge: Repeat what you did, but this time keep your eyes closed.
Exercise # 2 - Tree Pose:
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1. Start in Mountain pose (Standing upright). Shift weight into the left leg and place the sole of the right foot on the floor, then lift your right foot to the calf or inner thigh of the supporting left leg. Avoid putting it on your knee to protect the joints.
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4. Challenge: Repeat what you did, but this time keep your eyes closed.
Exercise # 3 – Table Pose:
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1. Sit on the floor on your hands and knees in Table pose.
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2. As you inhale, lift your right leg up parallel to the floor, reaching your toes towards the back wall.
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3. Staring at the floor, lift your left arm up parallel to the floor, reaching your fingers to the wall. If you find this difficult, only lift your leg using both your arms as support to balance your body.
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4. Breathe and hold for 3-6 seconds.
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5. Repeat on alternate arm and leg.
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6. Challenge: Repeat what you did, but this time keep your eyes closed.
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