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Yoga is a popular form of exercise that combines movement in different postures (called asanas) with breath. There are myriad styles of yoga ranging from slow and restorative yoga to vinyasa (my favourite type!), a fast and challenging style that usually takes place in a hot room. Mindfulness is a core tenet of yoga. Each transition into the next pose is intentional, and the breath is synced up in particular places to create a very relaxing, refreshing, and meditative experience. It’s also great exercise! Yoga may have a spiritual connotation to some people (although to a much lesser extent than meditation), so you may choose to call it stretching instead.

Guiding students (or staff, or yourself!) through a yoga flow is as simple as describing the movements you are doing along with when to inhale or exhale. You can follow the sequences below to guide students through a particular flow. The important thing to understand is that yoga is not just stretching: the breath is crucial. If you perform these sequences slowly, it can help to calm you down. If they are performed faster, it can help to bring back some energy at the end of a long day. Make sure also to remind students to move along with their breath. I have listed whether to inhale or exhale as you move into the pose in the sample diagrams below. There are also plenty of videos and guides online to follow. I have included both the English name and the Sanskrit name for each pose out of respect for the history of the practice. Both are used interchangeably in most yoga classes, but you will likely want to use the English names with students.

The diagrams below are just guidelines. You may need to adjust your range of motion to feel comfortable. Try to not get hung up on the exact silhouette of the pose. The poses can be done in sequence or on their own in any order.