Yoga
Class 8 · Physical Education and Well Being
4 ideas in Class 8 Physical Education and Well Being, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Yama and Niyama
Part of: Yoga on the mat
Ashtanga Yoga has eight limbs, and Yama is the first: universal guidelines for being good that hold for everyone, everywhere and always. Its five principles are Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (moderation) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness). Niyama turns attention to the inner self through five personal guidelines: Shaucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (self-discipline), Svadhyaya (self-study) and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to the divine).
Why it matters. These two limbs build character first, so postures and breathing rest on kindness and self-care.
Try it in two minutes
- Count the eight limbs on fingers.
- Name the five Yamas aloud.
- Name the five Niyamas aloud.
Try at home. Pick one Yama, write how you will practise it this week with an example.
Surya Namaskara
Part of: Yoga on the mat
Surya Namaskara strings twelve asanas into one flowing sequence that stretches, strengthens and refreshes body and mind. Each round opens with chanting Om followed by one name of the Sun. The sound combinations of these mantras are believed to make the mind more active, efficient and healthy, and dwelling on the Sun's qualities of friendship, devotion, energy, health, strength and vigour draws those virtues into our lives.
Why it matters. One daily sequence trains the whole body while chanting steadies attention and mood.
Try it in two minutes
- Count twelve poses on fingers.
- Say Om before one sun name.
- List three qualities of the sun.
Try at home. Learn the order of the twelve pose names and recite them in sequence.
Asana Practice and Safety
Part of: Yoga on the mat
This grade adds standing poses Virabhadrasana variation two and Garudasana, sitting poses Pashchimottanasana, Parivritta Janu Shirshasana, Suptavajrasana and Utthita Padmasana, prone Dhanurasana and supine Pavanamuktasana, each learnt under a teacher. Safe practice warms up with Sukshma Vyayama, happens on an empty stomach in the morning, uses slow nasal breathing and loose clothes, avoids strain, keeps alignment and a calm mind, closes with Shavasana and repeats daily.
Why it matters. Right grouping plus safety rules lets the body grow stronger without injury.
Try it in two minutes
- Name one pose per position.
- Recite the safety rules aloud.
- Lie still for one calm minute.
Try at home. Sort the new asana names into standing, sitting, prone and supine groups.
Breath, Mudra and Rest
Part of: Yoga on the mat
Surya Bhedana draws breath in through the right nostril and releases it through the left, while Chandra Bhedana mirrors it: in through the left, out through the right. Both keep eyes, temples, eyebrows and forehead soft, use Nasika Mudra on the right hand with thumb and ring fingers gating the nostrils, and run five rounds from Chin Mudra. Tadagi Mudra, the pond gesture, bends the seated body over grasped big toes with the belly drawn in. Yoga Nidra ends asana practice in Shavasana with slow breaths and attention sweeping each body part, readying the mind for breathing and meditation.
Why it matters. Breath control plus deep rest sharpens focus and settles the nervous system.
Try it in two minutes
- Sit tall with a straight back.
- Relax eyes and forehead fully.
- Count five breathing rounds.
Try at home. Practise five slow rounds of left-nostril breathing with a grown-up nearby.
What your child will practise
- Asana Practice and Safety: Ocean Quest (Flip and Match)
- Asana Practice and Safety: Space Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Breath, Mudra and Rest: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Surya Namaskara: Explorer'S Map Quest (Match It Up)
- Yama and Niyama: Mission Control Sort (Sort It Out)
- Quiz: Asana Practice and Safety (8 questions)
- Quiz: Breath, Mudra and Rest (8 questions)
- Quiz: Surya Namaskara (8 questions)
- Quiz: Yama and Niyama (8 questions)