10 Steps To Teach Dolphin Sequence
Includes Free Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan
Yoga lesson planning can become a royal pain in the backside if you don’t use some kind of system. Below is the pre-filled yoga lesson plan, yoga class handouts and steps I took teaching the “dolphin theme” to my students in Mid Wales.
* I created the lesson plan and sequence using the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner.
FREE DOWNLOADS
Downloads include:
- Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan (created using the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner)
- Dolphin Sequence Handout (created using the One Minute Sequence Planner)
- Dolphin Pose Class Handout (Just 1 of over 200 handouts available within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner)
- Dolphin Relaxation Handout (Just 1 of over 200 handouts available within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner)
- Dolphin Breath Handout (Just 1 of over 200 handouts available within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner)
You can download them below:
Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan | MS Word Version
Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan | ODT Version (You’ll need Open Office)
Dolphin Yoga Lesson Plan| MAC version
HOW I TAUGHT MY YOGA CLASS USING THE DOLPHIN YOGA LESSON PLAN
* If you haven’t already downloaded the free dolphin yoga lesson plan (above), do it now. Then follow along with the 10 steps below…
Step 1: Create a sequence using the One Minute Sequence Planner
I opened up the One Minute Sequence Planner which is included as a bonus within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner…
Step 1: Open the One Minute Sequence Planner
….and created a yoga sequence with “dolphin pose” as the star of the show (this is included in the free download above).
Dolphin Yoga Sequence that I created using The One Minute Sequence Planner
Step 2: Create a detailed lesson plan of the sequence using the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner
Once I created the dolphin sequence, I opened up the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner and created a detailed lesson plan of the dolphin sequence. All I had to do was drag and drop the asanas from within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner into a lesson plan. It only took 6 minutes.
I’ll use that lesson plan and sequence for 6 weeks. And I’ll do my utmost not to change a single thing during those 6 weeks. I was trained through the British Wheel Of Yoga (BWY) who are the governing body of yoga in the UK . The main BWY yoga lesson planning formula was to create a lesson plan and use it for 6 weeks, and repeat that process. Some students would change up the lesson plan on a weekly basis, but they were generally either full time teachers or retired (and therefore could spend the extra hours crafting lesson plans each week). When I first started out teaching, I used to burn the midnight oil to write a brand new lesson plan each week. Within a year of teaching I discovered my students actually preferred sticking with “one lesson plan over 6 weeks”. So, my formula is “One Lesson Plan Every 6 Weeks”. But, you may opt for a different formula due to your personality. Just remember that students by their very nature want to learn. And how do you get a student, whether it’s a yoga student or math student, to learn? By repetition. Repetition. Repetition. So, I recommend sticking with one lesson plan over 6 weeks (or longer).
Step 3: Spend one minute searching for the appropriate yoga class handouts
I spent one minute searching for appropriate handouts to go with the dolphin theme.
I found four of them:
- Dolphin Pose handout
- Dolphin Breath handout
- Dolphin Relaxation handout
- Dolphin Sequence
I didn’t have to edit anything. All I had to do was print. I have 20 students in this class. So, I printed 22 copies of each handout (2 spare in case any unexpected newbie students arrive).
* Within the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner there are well over 200 yoga class handouts covering everything you could need for your classes including: asana handouts, asana sequence handouts, bolster handouts, chair yoga handouts, kids yoga handouts, laughter yoga handouts, mediation handouts, mudra handouts, partner yoga handouts, yoga philosophy handouts, pranayama handouts, pregnancy yoga handouts, relaxation handouts, therapy yoga handouts and warm up yoga handouts. That means every yoga lesson plan you create will have an eye-catching, useful handout that you can give to your students. This ability to print off pre-filled handouts that need zero editing makes the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner an amazing resource for yoga teachers. You can download a bunch of free yoga class handouts here.
Step 4: Prepare the room
For this class, I selected one of the yoga music tracks on my iPod and put it in the iPod speaker that the dance hall I use have available. There are 23 royalty free yoga music tracks within the Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit. I always have chants, mantras or something soothing playing when students arrive. I like the energy it gives the room and my students feel more at ease if there’s a bit of calming background music as they chat with the person next to them, practice a pose, sit or lie in Savasana.
In this class I have several teachers who always like a bit of natter (chat) before class starts. I tell my students that I always start the class at exactly 7 pm. There are no exceptions. So, they know that when the clock strikes 7 pm, I turn the background music off and the class begins. If there’s any nattering after 7 pm, I politely and with a bit of light humour say something like, “No more nattering. You teachers should know better.”
Step 5: Rapport Building
As each student arrives to class I give them their 3 handouts. They know to put them in their “Yoga Handouts Folder”. I give all new students a folder to put my handouts in and ask them to always bring their folder to class. This is an important point. The Handouts Folder is a great way to help students with their “Home Yoga Practice”.
Plus, I make sure to personalize the front of the folder with their name and my contact details. That way if their friends see the folder and say, “What’s this?” They will respond, “Oh that’s the folder my yoga teacher gave me.” Then after they’ve taken a look through the handouts, they may think, “Wow. That looks great. I’ll give that class a go.” Within the Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit there’s a download link for the cover I use for the folder. It’s easy to personalize. All you need to do is change the name on the cover with your student’s name in big, bold letters. Having their own personalized folder will instantly make your students feel special and part of a “club”. Also within the Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit is a link to folders I use. Make sure you get folders that have a clear, see through pouch on the front for you to insert the A4 cover.
As the students arrive I personally give them their handouts. This gives me an opportunity to chat with the student and build rapport. I may say something general like, “How’s the body feeling?” Or something more specific like, “Today we’re going to be practicing downward facing dogs. Because of your left wrist injury I want you to practice dolphins instead. I’ll then get on the floor and give him or her a quick demo of dolphin pose. This personal touch ensures my students don’t get injured and feel they are getting personal atttention.
Step 6: Savasana or Child To start the class
I always start my classes with Savasana (sometimes Child Pose). I do this for two reasons…
A) Starting classes with Savasana allows students to slow down mentally and physically.
B) Starting classes with Savasana is my sneaky way of talking through the yoga class theme while the students are relaxed and have their eyes closed. This is the perfect state to gently absorb the “dolphin theme” information I give them. Plus, I can cheat a bit and paraphrase from the “handouts” (e.g. handouts are wonderful teaching aids).
Step 7: Mention the “Dolphin Theme” as often as possible
I find every opportunity to bring up the yoga class theme (become a dolphin) during the class, especially during the very beginning of the class when they are relaxing in Savasana or Child Pose. Having a theme is what morphs my class from an average yoga class to something original and memorable.
Here are some of the things I said to bring the yoga class theme to life….
“Allow yourself to have more fun.”
“Dolphins are known for their ability to have fun.”
“Dolphins are playful and filled with joy.”
“Dolphins are also nimble and strong because they spend so much time playing.”
“Allow yourself to become a dolphin and be aware of all the things to be joyous about in your life right now. Joy is your birthright. You don’t have to do something to deserve basking in joy.”
Step 8: Teach the static poses
At the beginning of every 6 week course, one of the handouts I give my students is always a “sequence”. Before we practice the sequence as a continuous flow, I get my students to practice them as Yin Yoga (also known as static yoga).
The great thing about the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner which is one of the yoga lesson planning resources within the Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit is that you can create a plan within minutes and each asana (e.g. Boat Pose) includes absolutely every detail you need to teach the pose including:
- Teaching steps
- Benefits
- Stick figure
- Link to a video tutorial of the pose
- MAP section which stands for “modifications, alternatives and precautions”
- Recommended “preparation”, “follow up” and “counter poses”
* Image below shows the 15 Minute Yoga Lesson Planner
Step 9: Teach the flow sequence
At the end of class #1 of 6, I will demonstrate the poses they’ve just learned as a flowing sequence. I usually demonstrate twice, then ask them to follow along with me. I ask them to put the “Dolphin Sequence Handout” (which is within the lesson plan you’ve downloaded) on the front of their mats as an aid in case they forget the sequence.
Teach the flow sequence
Step 10: Observing and Adjusting
As my students practices the flow sequence, I always get off my mat and walk around the class observing. When I see a student who needs an adjustment, I will talk them through the adjustment, or get on the floor next to them and demonstrate it. If I think they would benefit from me physically adjusting them, I ask their permission to touch them (important if you’re a male teacher). For the next 5 weeks we’ll follow the same routine: practice the individual asanas as static poses before practicing them as a sequence. This way they get to practice yin and yang yoga in the same class and learn a sequence in an easy and unhurried way.
Tips for adjusting Downward Facing Dog
That’s it.
* If you’d like to start using a Yoga Lesson Planning Software, created by a fellow yoga teacher, take a quick peek at my Yoga Teacher Lesson Plan Kit.
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