A Palm Sunday Yoga Lesson Plan

Palm Sunday KHY Pic

With Palm Sunday around the corner, I wanted to share with you a prayerful and playful way to bring the Palm Sunday story alive through a Christ centered yoga lesson plan. I am grateful to Thomas Nelson Publishing for granting me the rights to use excerpts from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook! It’s one of those bibles that young and old need to get hold of, so if you don’t have it, it is worth getting–http://www.thomasnelson.com/jesus-calling-bible-storybook.

*Bible Story/Verse/* *Godly Principle*	Palm Sunday – “Palm Sunday” from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook, pgs. 204-205. Yoga lesson plan written by Rachel Glowacki,(E-RYT, YACEP) . “Hosanna! Hurray! The Son of David is here!” (pg. 205 ) Hosanna means that God saves.
*Breathwork*	Palm Breath–Close your eyes and lift the palms of your hands in the air. Inhale your hands your wide. Exhale and close your hands. Repeat 3x. Read the story about Palm Sunday. Remind class that before Palm Sunday, Jesus taught the disciples how to pray. Let’s warm up with a Son Salute.
*Warm-up*	The Lord’s Prayer to the SON Salute Our Father—Mountain Pose with hands at heart centerWho art in heaven—Mountain Pose with lifting arms up towards HeavenHallowed be thy name—Forward Fold Thy Kingdom come—Halfway lifted with hands resting on shins Thy will be done—Plank Pose On Earth—Melt to the floor As it is in Heaven—Cobra or Upward Facing Dog Give us this day our daily bread—Downward Facing Dog Forgive us of our trespasses—Warrior One (Right Foot) or Modified Lunge As we forgive those who trespass against us—Warrior One (Left Foot) or Modified Lunge And lead us not into temptation—Forward Fold And deliver us from evil—Roll up slowly to Mountain Pose For Thine is the Kingdom—Mountain with arms reaching up towards sky The Power—Mountain with arms reaching left The Glory—Mountain with arms reaching right Forever and Forever—Mountain with arms reaching back overhead with a gentle back bend Amen—Mountain with hands back at heart center
*Pose Series*	Donkey Kicks–Jesus rode through the city on a donkey Gate Pose–The gates were open for Him to enter Table Pose–During the Passover Feast, there were was yummy food at the table Mountain Climbers–The crowds ran to see Him! Child’s Pose flow to Kneeling–Wave your palms in the air! “Blessed is Jesus, who comes in the name of the Lord!” (p. 205) King on a Donkey Pose (aka Horse Stance)–Jesus rode into the city like a King Forward Fold–The religious people shook their heads and said–No, he is not! Shake your heads no. Shake your heads yes and say–“YES, HE IS.”
*Cool Down*	Knees to Chest–Read Devotional from the Jesus Calling Bible Storybook by Sarah Young. Gentle Spinal Twist–God is with us at all times.
*Resting and Reflection*	Rest on your back, close your eyes, lengthen your arms alongside your body with your palms lifting up. Smile and thank God that you are in the palms of His hands.
*Music/Props/* *Game/Craft*	Bring in palm branches and have each child wave the branches three times and say together–“Hosanna! Hurray! The Son of David is here!” (p. 205)