Books about Children's Yoga   >   Yoga Games to Teach in Schools

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.

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

IIse, PE Consultant, Association for PE East Board Member and Founder of The Children's Health Project CIC

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

Once again Michael Chissick has brought his depth of experience in teaching yoga to children for a wide range of age-groups and abilities in the form of his latest book: Sitting on a Chicken. This book is directed specifically at school-teachers within the English National Curriculum, with the particular aim that Yoga be included as part of the weekly timetable rather than slotted into breakfast or after-school clubs (though actually, as Michael concedes - it works very well with them too!). As always with Michael, the simple and systematic presentation belies a deeply-structured format which in turn yields plenty of opportunities for the children (of whatever age, culture, ability or disability) to find a still centre. The book is an extremely practical guide to enabling teachers to help the children they are teaching to accept themselves just as they are. In a world where assessments, grades and progress can often seem to count for more than personal worth this is an invaluable gift to society.

The book includes clear lesson plans with aims and learning objectives and is designed to cut to the chase. It does not give step-by-step instructions on how to get into postures; the beautiful illustrations by Sarah Peacock are all that's needed. The lessons come in the form of games - `Sitting on a Chicken' being one of them and `Wind, Rain or Thunder' being another - cunningly set out in an appropriate learning curve so the children are both engaged with their Yoga and having fun at the same time. And it is not only about fun. There are opportunities for children to `punch through their shyness', to honour themselves for who they are, to express themselves in a safe environment and to recognize that life is not all about sunshine ... but that the sun is always there. Classic asanas such as the Hero poses are presented as a regulated battle, and the game is popular with 7 - 11 year-olds. Using dice, it includes the opportunity to do strong postures, co-operate, learn about probabilities and to experience the strength of self-worth gained by going within.

For younger children, postures are simplified. Tadasana, for example, is `Stick', and Sukhasana is simply `Good Sitting.' There is a chance for the children to review the session at the end and they all finish up in `Sleeping bird' ... the lesson continues even up to the point of the children filing quietly out of the room, taking the gift of silence with them.

The book is backed up with a link to Michael's website, which provides resources such as songs, posture and game cards. I really hope that Yoga may one day become part of the school curriculum and that Michael's book becomes a set text. In my mind, it is already a classic.'

Wendy Teasdill

I bought your book at Amazon, and I started already to use your games, and I'll say to you: It really works too here in Brazil!!! I'm really impressed with the good reaction of the children. The way you subtly award those who are quiet, that is the motivation they need to get silent, that is their real wish!
I am a yoga teacher there is some time, and I started to work with children there are 3 years. Your book has really improved my work!

Marcella , Children's Yoga Teacher, Rio, Brazil

I love Sitting on a Chicken! There are lots of children books, but often they are 'here's the poses' and no guidance on how to put it all together. Or they go to the other extreme and give you ten lesson plans and that's it. No room for creativity or to adapt to the children's needs. Sitting on a Chicken is the complete package, everything is there.

Gill, Edinburgh

Excellent book. Great having one resource that gives some many ideas and guidance on structure and planning

Beryl, Children's Yoga Teacher

What I love about this book is that the ideas are fun and easy to use right from the get-go. The format works whether you want to teach games by lesson stage, age, qualities or skills.

Michael takes the yogic principles of asana, relaxation and internal awareness to an accessible place for children and in a school environment.Once you get this book it will soon be one of those resource tools that you will regularly go back to.

Sherene, Children's Yoga Teacher and Adult Yoga Teacher

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

My local primary school asked if I would come in and teach yoga to Reception Class for four-week block. I accepted but was absolutely terrified being thrown in at the deep end. I quickly bought Sitting on a Chicken, Ladybird's Remarkable Relaxation and Seahorse's Magical Sun Sequences and read as much as I could on your website and I have to say, you saved my life!

I could not have gone in there and taught yoga without them. I was so nervous, as being an ex-teacher I knew exactly what to expect, and knew it would be difficult to keep control and engage a whole class. 

Michael's ideas and recommendations were spot on.

School has now asked me to go in regularly next year to work as part of their health activity afternoon and another head teacher has expressed interest also. 

I am so grateful for MIchael’s advice and resources, which definitely gave me enough confidence to give it a go. 


Sharyn McKenzie, Scotland

I was so excited to receive my copy of Sitting On A Chicken, The Best Ever Yoga Games To Teach In Schools by Michael Chissick. What I like most about his work is his focused attention on how to make activities wholly inclusive. In Sitting On A Chicken, using clear lesson plans, complete with intentions and learning objectives, Michael shares highly accessible yoga and mindfulness games to implement into your classrooms. Mr. Chissick is very imaginative and has created some very original, fun-filled yoga games that teach mindfulness. These games are designed to be all inclusive to ensure that all children are included irrespective of needs, culture, shape, mood or size could not say that any better!
I highly recommend this book. It can be used by anyone from parents to teachers to childcare workers who are looking for fun, play centered ways to bring yoga and mindfulness to all children and with added ingenuity can be adapted for all age groups and all needs. The beautiful illustrations by Sarah Peacock are cheerful, understandable and just make you happy!

Eve Costarelli

This is a most excellent book for really getting a structure and insight into children's Yoga classes done well. Michael is very on point and makes it easy to follow. I am asked to teach in schools from time to time but usually an age group I am comfortable with. When faced with being asked to teach nursery to P7(Year 6) as part of sports week I panicked as I am usually teaching adults..... being my daughters school I agreed and thanks to this great book the children wanted more, more, more ..... the routines of the Sun Sequence are wonderful and the approach to guiding Michael's way worked so well, even the teachers said "wow" how did you get them to do that so fast ( I didn't ...this book did) ....so I was overjoyed to see how much they achieved in such a very short space of time thanks to Michaels guidance and I am relieved I didn't ruin my daughters reputation at school ..... this is a book I will go back to again and again ..... wonderful !!

Siobhan Fitzgerald. Yoga Teacher . Central Scotland.