A Yoga Lesson,“Alligator Pie,” a poem written By Dennis Lee,
By Kristy Stewart, DoubleDogDare Yoga. The first two words of each line of the poem are
written, you will find the rest in your own copy of the poem.
Instructions
Begin sitting in Easy Pose in a circle. Discuss the poem briefly and then start
your lesson.
Warmups and Centering:Belly Breath: close eyes and breath into and out of
your belly 4 or 5 times. ExplainAlligators are reptiles, which know how to
become very slow and very quiet, but still breathe.Move fingers and toes in and
out up and down like alligator claws.Then move around in circles in easy pose
like you are stirring a big pot of soup your body. Hand on knees, 5-8 times in
each direction.
Stand up tall in Mountain Pose and start to recite the poem line by line.
beginning with;
“Alligator Pie……”
Move arms wide open and shut like teeth, snapping the jaws, with a clap
“If I don’t …..”
Jump into 5- Pointed Start Pose hands feet wide and turn back and forth
“I think……die.”
Standing Forward Bend, swoop arms out wide and fall forward with hands
swinging low beside body
“Give….the green grass.”
Standing Forward Bend; stay bending down, walking hands on the floor and
pick grass up from left and right sides.
“Give….sky”
Extended Mountain; swoop up into the sky.
“But don’t….pie”
5- Pointed Star; jump arms and legs wide and turn body and head back and forth.
“Alligator stew……”
Chair Pose; knees bent, up and stirring the pot of stew make big circles with arms
2 times both directions
“If I don't get some …..do.”
Knees to Chest;laying down, knees to chest with hands, and roll body side to side
Yoga Pose
“Give … furry hat, …..shoe,
Boat pose, lift arms up to head for “Hat” and legs up for “Shoe.”
“But don’t ………….stew.”
Staff pose; and shaking head “ No” from side to side
Tell the children to sit in a squat and get ready for Alligator Breath.
Lion’s Breath From Squatting Pose: Inhale hands into alligator claws, open eyes
wide and jump and exhale loudly while sticking out tongue. Repeat 3-5 times.
“Alligator soup, …….”
Easy Pose; place hands to the knees and start circling again two to four times in
each direction.
“If I don't get some….. droop.”
Forward Bend; hands laying loosely
“Give…………hockey stick,
Side Reclining Leg Lift; lift one leg up, then the other.
“ Give………. hoop,”
Happy Baby; roll like a hoop side to side, one hand on each bent knee.
“But don't give………. alligator soup.”
Happy Baby; roll side to side slowing down
“Alligator sleep, alligator sleep.When I go get some, I do not say a peep. Give
away my worries, put them on a heap. I’m gonna get some Alligator sleep.”
Corpse or Sleep Pose(kids prefer the word sleep or nap) Laying down and
beginning to relax, playing soft music, encourage children to lay quietly with their
eyes, on their back or sides. Stay here for about 2 or 3 minutes.
To complete your class, quietly call the children back, taking time to stretch and sit
up. Add mindfulness by having them close their eyes with hands at their hearts
and thank themselves, and then someone they love and then someone else for all
they do to make the world happier and peaceful. Tell them the meaning of
Namaste, and have everyone bow. You might include a song, like the “Namaste
Song”, and thank them for their yoga. Transition quietly to your next planned
activity.