Sitting on a Chicken: The Best Ever 52 Yoga Games to Teach in Schools

From games such as Knock Down the Tower and Yoga Detective, to simple sequences and the Ladybird Relaxation, experience the benefits of incorporating yoga in the school day.

Build assertiveness, concentration, self-esteem, healthy competitiveness and fitness with classes of any and all abilities.

The best way to teach yoga to children is with games. With 52 vibrant, easy-to-follow yoga games requiring no previous yoga experience, this book will enable you to help children become better listeners, take responsibility, gain self-control, improve behaviour, become assertive and improve self-esteem and confidence.

Within these pages Michael Chissick has distilled nearly twenty years' experience of teaching yoga to children aged 3-11 in mainstream and special needs schools. He explains the ideal yoga lesson structure to transform your children's behaviour: you will learn which games to teach, when to teach them and how to teach them, and how the additional benefits of improved co-ordination, flexibility, fitness, self-calming and relaxation can be accessible to all children regardless of impairment, need, culture, shape, mood or size.

'Sitting on a Chicken is one of the most educationally sound books I've read for yoga in primary schools. Michael suggests a wide range of inclusive, calming, skill-based games for yoga, designed to be used within curriculum lessons. The activities will give your pupils a well-deserved boost in self-esteem and leadership skills, and support a growth mindset for both physical and mental wellbeing.'
– Ilse Fullarton, PE Consultant, Association for PE East Board Member and Founder of The Children’s Health Project CIC

'This is a gem of a book if you're looking for a fun and engaging way to implement yoga in schools whilst building self-esteem and strengthening concentration. This is as much a credit to Michael's depth of experience as it is to the book's flawless presentation. The book's expertly considered structure and fun, vibrant visuals help teachers select activities according to the needs of the children. I can't wait to build this into my school day.'
– Phillippa Johnson, primary school teacher

'All readers, regardless of their background, will find much to vitalise their thinking in this book. Michael's unique approach to yoga is accessible to all children, regardless of their needs and abilities. He has created a fun range of yoga activities to focus and stimulate young minds.'
– Kate Mason, Assistant Head, Phoenix School, a school for children with language and communication difficulties whose needs lie within the autistic spectrum

'This is a wonderful book for yoga teachers and mums and dads wanting to develop their children in yoga. I particularly liked the learning outcomes suggesting why the exercises or games would be useful. I would highly recommend this to my friends with children, and to other teachers who would like a resource book with so much for children of all ages to try, and enjoy!'
– Andrea Kwiatkowski, yoga teacher at Santosha Yoga