Brought to you by Erin O’Neill MS, OTR/L and Kara Nies MSPT, DPT, Your school Occupational and Physical Therapists
Yoga Pose: Eagle
Directions: Begin in standing. Cross right arm under left arm. Right hand holds onto left thumb. Cross right leg over left leg. Bend left leg slightly.
Modifications
Arms: Give yourself a hug trying to get your hands as far back on your shoulders.
Legs: Cross your right leg over your left and let your toes rest on the ground for balance.
Benefits: Eagle pose, a pretzel-like posture in which the arms and legs wrap around each other, improves focus in a couple of ways. First, it’s a balancing pose. Balancing postures tend to quiet the mind’s “chatter” because they require us to use many different parts of our brain at once. When you’re totally focused on holding a balancing pose, there’s just not much brain space left for wandering thoughts. Second, eagle pose requires crossing the body’s mid-line, which activates both hemispheres of the brain at once and thereby improves focus. (From:
http://moveyogastudio.com/adhd-yoga-postures-to-improve-focus/)
Cardio challenge: High Knees
How to do it: Run in place, bringing your knees up to your chest as high as you can, pumping your arms as quickly as you can.
Challenge: Try to maintain for 15 seconds. Challenge yourself by increasing the time or doing it 3 times.
Form tip: Try to land on the balls of your feet as you run and switch legs as fast as you can.
Thanks to our Fifth Grade representatives Kayelyn, Kylee, and Salma.