Zen Challenge
Organize a moment of relaxation for your youth with some yoga poses.
| Target: | Counselors |
| Time frame: | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Members: | Everyone |
| Type of tool: | Activities |
| Ages: | 5-6 years, 7-8 years, 9-12 years, 13 and Over |
| Group size: | One group, More than one group |
|
Well-being
|
Description
Are you looking for an activity to relax with your group? Défi Zen allows you to experience the benefits and calming effects of breathing and stretching through 5 relaxing and fun poses.
Choose a calm place and put up the Zen challenge posters. Take place in front of the group and ask the campers to place their mats, blankets, or towels on the floor.
- Before starting, show the illustrations of each posture to be performed to facilitate the process. During the positions, the campers should inhale while counting to 7 in their heads, and then exhale.
- For example, to perform the butterfly posture, sit on the floor with your feet together, hands on your stomach, eyes closed, and then breathe deeply and slowly, inflating your belly.
- Next, exhale gently while moving your knees up and down to make the butterfly wings flap. Repeat 3 to 6 times.
- Once the challenge is complete, you can ask the campers to draw which animal, character or object they preferred to imitate.
This resource was developped in collaboration with Capsana.
This activity was designed by Cardio Plein Air, in collaboration with the TOUGO Challenge.
Goal(s)
Zen Challenge helps introduce campers to the concept of well-being by taking a moment to relax.
By using breathing and stretching techniques, it facilitates a return to calmness, allowing them to continue with other activities. This practice promotes listening skills by increasing concentration and provides a sense of inner well-being. The various postures also allow for the practice of static and dynamic balance.
Tips and Tricks
Read aloud the instructions for each posture so that the campers can perform them as you describe them. Note that you can repeat each challenge as many times as you want before moving on to the next one.
Required material
- Zen Challenge posters
- Mat, blanket or towel for each camper
Let’s have a chat!
Use the illustration of the sprout stages to help your campers understand what they are.
- How do you feel when you do breathing exercises?
- What was your favorite posture and why?
- Would you like to create a new pose?
