Bringing the Story of Chinese New Year to Life Through Yoga

In Early Years and Key Stage 1 (KS1) settings, storytelling is a powerful way to help children understand different cultures and traditions. As we celebrate Chinese New Year, we have a wonderful opportunity to move beyond just listening. By integrating yoga poses into the story of the Great Race, we help children engage their bodies, improve their focus, and retain what they learn through active play.

The story of the Zodiac animals is a perfect fit for the classroom or nursery. It provides a natural structure for a physical activity session that supports both Physical Development and Understanding the World.

The Full Zodiac: 12 Poses for the Great Race

To tell the complete story, you can guide the children through each animal in the order they finished the race. Using these "nouns" of the story as yoga shapes helps children with memory recall and sequencing.

Here is how you can represent every animal in the cycle using simple, age-appropriate movements:

• The Rat (Child’s Pose): Kneel and sit back on your heels. Fold forward until your forehead touches the ground. Keep your arms tucked by your sides to stay as small as a tiny rat.

• The Ox (Cow Pose): Start on your hands and knees. Drop your tummy towards the floor and look up slightly. This pose shows the strength and patience of the Ox.

• The Tiger (Tiger Pose): Stay on all fours. Reach one arm forward and the opposite leg back. This helps children practice balance and focus.

• The Rabbit (Rabbit Pose): From a kneeling position, reach back to grab your heels. Tuck your chin and lift your hips while resting the top of your head lightly on the floor.

• The Dragon (Warrior Pose): Step one foot forward and bend the knee. Stretch your arms out wide like giant wings. Imagine you are flying through the clouds.

• The Snake (Cobra Pose): Lie flat on your tummy. Place your hands under your shoulders and gently lift your chest. Keep your elbows tucked in and hiss softly.

• The Horse (Crescent Lunge): Step one foot forward into a lunge and reach your arms up high. This represents the proud Horse galloping to the finish line.

• The Goat (Mountain Pose): Stand tall with your feet together and your hands at your heart. Imagine standing firm on a high mountain peak.

• The Monkey (Happy Baby Pose): Lie on your back and grab your feet. Rock side to side. This captures the cheeky and energetic nature of the monkey.

• The Rooster (Chair Pose): Stand with feet together and bend your knees as if sitting in an invisible chair. Bring your hands behind your back like tail feathers.

• The Dog (Downward Dog): Place your hands and feet on the floor and lift your hips high to the sky. This is a great way to stretch and feel alert.

• The Pig (Puppy Pose): From all fours, keep your hips high but walk your hands forward until your chest sinks down. This is a relaxed pose for the final animal.

Creative Storytelling in the Classroom

When teaching this in a school or nursery setting, the Great Race becomes an obstacle course for the imagination. You can use a blue yoga mat or a piece of fabric to represent the river.

Inclusive Practice

For children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), such as autism or ADHD, storytelling through yoga provides a predictable structure. The repetitive nature of the poses helps with processing speed and reduces anxiety. If a child finds a specific balance difficult, encourage them to find their own version of the animal. The focus is always on participation and enjoyment.

Benefits for Early Years and KS1

Integrating yoga into your Chinese New Year curriculum supports several areas of development:

• Communication and Language: Children learn new nouns and verbs as they follow the narrative.

• Physical Development: Holding poses improves core stability and coordination.

• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED): Taking turns to cross the river and cheering for each animal builds a sense of community.

Take Your Skills Further

If you enjoyed using movement to teach cultural stories, you might be interested in deepening your practice. We offer specialised training designed specifically for those working in education and childcare.

Our Early Years Yoga and Children’s Yoga (ages 5 to 11) courses provide you with a full toolkit of stories, poses, and breathing exercises. These courses are ideal for teachers, TAs, and nursery practitioners who want to bring more wellbeing into their daily routine with confidence.