Yoga - National Curriculum Programme

EYFS

Focus areas from the National Curriculum: 

• Gross motor movement, balance, strength, control
• Core stability & coordination
• Spatial awareness and safe movement
• Personal, Social & Emotional Development (PSED)
• Turn-taking, confidence, self-regulation
• Managing emotions through calming strategies
• Cooperative play and imagination
• Communication & Language
• Listening and attention
• Understanding and following instructions
• Vocabulary building through stories and imaginative play

12 Week Plan 

• Week 1 — Exploring Our Bodies (Introduction to Yoga) Learning Focus: Awareness of body parts, simple shapes, basic control.
• Week 2 — Animal Yoga Adventure. Gross motor skills, creativity, expression.
• Week 3 — Big Shapes, Small Shapes (Spatial Awareness), safe movement.
• Week 4 — Calm Bodies, Calm Breathing, Self-regulation through breathing and stillness. Emotional literacy.
• Week 5 — Jumping & Balancing Fun. Balance, coordination, controlled jumping. Gross motor skills.
• Week 6 — Story Yoga: Trip to the Castle. Listening, imagination, following a narrative. Literacy, communication, role play.
• Week 7 — Rainbow Stretching: Stretching different parts of the body safely. Body awareness, flexibility.
• Week 8 — Partner Play & Cooperation. Sharing space, copying movements, teamwork. Turn-taking.
• Week 9 — Growing & Moving (Nature-Based Yoga) Controlled movement from small to big shapes. Imaginative movement, control.
• Week 10 — Music & Movement Flow. Move rhythmically and follow musical cues. Rhythm, listening skills.
• Week 11 — Follow-the-Sequence: Memory, sequencing, simple routines. Patterning, following steps, confidence.
• Week 12 — Relaxation & Reflection
• Learning Focus: Calm-down strategies, recognising feelings. Emotional literacy, self-soothing.

Focus areas from the National Curriculum:

•  Master basic movements: balance, agility, coordination
• Develop simple movement patterns
• Perform simple sequences
• Move safely with spatial awareness
• Participate in group activities
• Show control and begin to evaluate performance 

12 Week Plan

•   Week 1 — Introduction to Yoga & Body Shapes Learning Intention: Explore basic shapes and follow simple instructions. Body control, following instructions.
• Week 2 — Balance Basics Learning Intention: Develop early balance skills using focus. Hold balance for 3–5 seconds.
• Week 3 — Animal Yoga Learning Intention: Move in different ways while keeping control. Controlled movements & transitions.
• Week 4 — Stretching & Flexibility Learning Intention: Learn safe stretching and identify big muscles. Moving into poses slowly and safely.
• Week 5 — Strength & Stability Learning Intention: Build early core and limb strength. Holding shapes for 5 seconds.
• Week 6 — Linking Simple Poses Learning Intention: Put two or more poses together in a sequence. Smooth linking of poses.
• Week 7 — Partner Yoga & Co-operation Learning Intention: Work safely with a partner using simple shapes. Co-operation and safe contact.
• Week 8 — Yoga Games (Agility + Fun)Learning Intention: Apply yoga shapes quickly and safely. Quick transitions, safe movement.
• Week 9 — Breathing & Calm Bodies Learning Intention: Use simple breathing to feel calm and focused. Can follow breath cues.
• Week 10 — Create a Simple Sequence Learning Intention: Build a short 4-pose sequence. Creativity and memory.
• Week 11 — Rehearse & Improve Learning Intention: Practise a sequence and improve it with feedback. Accuracy and control.
• Week 12 — Performance & Reflection Learning Intention: Perform a sequence confidently and reflect on learning. Confidence, control, simple self-reflection.

Focus areas from the National Curriculum:

• Master basic movements (running, jumping, balancing, stretching)
• Develop balance, agility, coordination
• Apply movements in sequences
• Take part in team/group activities
• Evaluate and improve performance
• Move safely and confidently in space

12 Week Plan

•   Week 1 — Introduction to Yoga Learning intention: Understand what yoga is and explore simple poses. 
• Week 2 — Balance Basics Learning intention: Develop balance and stillness. 
• Week 3 — Animal Movements Learning intention: Move using different body parts; develop coordination. 
• Week 4 — Stretch & Flexibility Learning intention: Perform stretches safely and understand why bodies stretch.
•  Week 5 — Strength & Core Learning intention: Build strength and understand “strong bodies” for movement. 
• Week 6 — Linking Movements Learning intention: Link two or more poses smoothly. 
• Week 7 — Partner & Group Balance Learning intention: Collaborate and create shapes with others. 
• Week 8 — Yoga Games Learning intention: Apply skills in fun, active yoga games. 
• Week 9 — Breathing & Mindfulness Learning intention: Use breathing to stay calm and focused.
• Week 10 — Create a Yoga Story Learning intention: Use movement creatively to tell a story.  Assessment focus: Creativity; sequencing.
• Week 11 — Rehearse a Yoga Sequence Learning intention: Build confidence performing a routine. Assessment focus: Performance quality; memory of sequence.
• Week 12 — Final Performance & Reflection Learning intention: Perform, observe, and reflect on progress. Assessment focus: Evaluation and improvement.

Focus areas from the National Curriculum:

•  Master basic movements (running, jumping, balancing, stretching)
• Develop balance, agility, coordination
• Apply movements in sequences
• Take part in team/group activities
• Evaluate and improve performance
• Move safely and confidently in space 

12 Week Plan

•  Week 1 — Introduction to Yoga Learning intention: Understand what yoga is and explore simple poses. Copying shapes; following instructions.
• Week 2 — Balance Basics Learning intention: Develop balance and stillness. Maintaining balance; body control.
• Week 3 — Animal Movements Learning intention: Move using different body parts; develop coordination.  Smooth transitions; spatial awareness.
• Week 4 — Stretch & Flexibility Learning intention: Perform stretches safely and understand why bodies stretch. Controlled stretching.
• Week 5 — Strength & Core Learning intention: Build strength and understand “strong bodies” for movement. Holding positions; using core muscles.
• Week 6 — Linking Movements Learning intention: Link two or more poses smoothly.  Flow and transitions.
• Week 7 — Partner & Group Balance Learning intention: Collaborate and create shapes with others. Teamwork; safe cooperation.
• Week 8 — Yoga Games Learning intention: Apply skills in fun, active yoga games. Agility, quick reaction, maintaining form.
• Week 9 — Breathing & Mindfulness Learning intention: Use breathing to stay calm and focused. Self-regulation.
• Week 10 — Create a Yoga Story Learning intention: Use movement creatively to tell a story. Creativity; sequencing.
• Week 11 — Rehearse a Yoga Sequence Learning intention: Build confidence performing a routine. Performance quality; memory of sequence.
• Week 12 — Final Performance & Reflection Learning intention: Perform, observe, and reflect on progress. Evaluation and improvement.

 Focus areas from the National Curriculum: 

• Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
• Perform movements and sequences with accuracy and fluency
• Communicate, collaborate and compete appropriately
• Evaluate and improve performance
• Understand safe practice and body awareness 

12 Week Plan

•  Week 1 — Refining Alignment & Body Awareness Learning Intention: Improve alignment and posture in familiar poses. Alignment in static holds.
• Week 2 — Intermediate Balance & Stability Learning Intention: Use core engagement to improve balance. Control and balance fluency.
• Week 3 — Sun Salutation A (Full Version)Learning Intention: Develop accuracy and rhythm in a structured flow.  Timing and fluidity.
• Week 4 — Strength & Power Development Learning Intention: Improve muscular endurance and whole-body strength. Strength and sustained control.
• Week 5 — Flexibility & Range of Motion Learning Intention: Improve flexibility in hamstrings, hips, shoulders. Demonstrates safe, effective stretching.
• Week 6 — Sequencing & Flow Work Learning Intention: Link 4–6 poses with smooth transitions. Accuracy in transitions.
• Week 7 — Backbends & Strengthening the Back Line Learning Intention: Explore backbends safely and develop posterior strength.  Safety awareness in backbends.
• Week 8 — Partner & Small Group Collaboration Learning Intention: Communicate clearly to create joint balances and shapes. Collaboration and effective communication.
• Week 9 — Breathing Techniques & Mind–Body Connection Learning Intention: Use breathing for focus, calm, and physical control. Effective use of breathing strategies.
• Week 10 — Create a 6–10 Pose Yoga Flow Learning Intention: Develop creativity and sequence planning. Structure and creativity.
• Week 11 — Rehearse, Refine & Improve Learning Intention: Perform with accuracy and adjust based on feedback. Improvement based on reflection.
• Week 12 — Final Performance & Reflection Learning Intention: Perform a full yoga sequence and self-evaluate progress. Performance quality and depth of reflection.

 Focus areas from the National Curriculum:

•  Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
• Perform dances and sequences using a range of movement patterns
• Communicate fluently in team and pair activities
• Evaluate and improve performance
• Understand safe practice, spatial awareness and effective warm-ups 

12 Week Plan

•   Week 1 — Alignment, Precision & Body Control Learning Intention: Understand refined alignment and stability in poses. Accuracy and body awareness.
• Week 2 — Advanced Balance & Focus Learning Intention: Use focus, breath and core strength for challenging balances. Stability under challenge.
• Week 3 — Full Sun Salutation A & B (KS2 Level)Learning Intention: Refine rhythm, breath coordination and transitions. Fluency and stamina.
• Week 4 — Strength & Endurance Building Learning Intention: Develop core, upper-body and leg strength.
  Strength and sustained control.
• Week 5 — Flexibility & Deep Stretching Learning Intention: Safely increase flexibility in hips, hamstrings, spine and shoulders. Understanding of safe stretching limits.
•  Week 6 — Flow Sequences & Transitions Learning Intention: Create and perform 6–8 pose flows with smooth movement. Co-ordination and fluidity.
• Week 7 — Backbends & Strengthening Posterior Chain Learning Intention: Explore backbends with correct technique and active engagement. Control and safe progressions.
• Week 8 — Partner Work, Coaching & Communication Learning Intention: Use verbal cues to support a partner’s yoga practice. Quality of verbal feedback and teamwork.
• Week 9 — Breathwork for Focus & Emotional Regulation Learning Intention: Use more advanced breath techniques for calm and energy. Use of breath to control movement and stillness.
• Week 10 — Create an 8–12 Pose Flow Learning Intention: Plan longer sequences with purposeful structure. Structure, creativity and safety.
• Week 11 — Refine & Evaluate Learning Intention: Use peer feedback to improve accuracy, timing and expression. Ability to apply feedback.
• Week 12 — Performance, Reflection & Relaxation Learning Intention: Perform a confident, controlled final sequence. Performance quality and reflective depth.

Focus areas from the National Curriculum: 

• Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
• Perform movement patterns and sequences with increasing complexity
• Communicate, collaborate and coach peers
• Evaluate and refine performance with accuracy
• Demonstrate safe practice and responsibility 

12 Week Plan

•  Week 1 — Mastering Alignment & Technique Learning Intention: Refine alignment in advanced poses; understand self-correction. Precision in alignment and self-awareness.
• Week 2 — Advanced Balance & Strength Integration Learning Intention: Combine balance, strength and breath. Controlled balance under challenge.
• Week 3 — Sun Salutation A & B with Breath Counts Learning Intention: Demonstrate fluency and stamina in structured flows. Timing and control.
• Week 4 — Upper Body & Core Strength for Advanced Poses Learning Intention: Build capability for arm balances and stronger transitions. Strength, engagement, and safe progression.
• Week 5 — Flexibility: Deep Hip, Hamstring & Spine Work Learning Intention: Explore deeper range safely and sustainably. Effective stretching technique and awareness.
• Week 6 — Complex Transitions & Flow Pathways Learning Intention: Link 6–10 poses with transitions that involve levels and rotation. Fluidity and movement efficiency.
• Week 7 — Backbends & Counter poses Learning Intention: Explore strong backbends safely and understand spinal balance. Safe progression and technique.
• Week 8 — Partner Coaching & Group Work Learning Intention: Lead and support others with precise cues and corrections. Leadership, communication and accuracy.
• Week 9 — Yoga for Regulation, Focus & Stress Management Learning Intention: Use yoga to manage emotions, stress and transition to KS3. Independent use of breathwork.
• Week 10 — Create a 10–14 Pose Advanced Flow Learning Intention: Design a sequence using learned techniques. Structure, creativity, control.
• Week 11 — Refine, Evaluate & Rehearse Learning Intention: Improve technical accuracy and performance quality. Improvement and mastery.
• Week 12 — Final Performance & Reflection Learning Intention: Perform confidently, reflect on mastery and areas for growth. Precision, confidence and reflective depth.