Eagle Twist

  • Improves balance
  • Stretches shoulders
  • Crosses the midline of the body with both the arms and legs, which promotes coordination and communication between the left and right hemispheres of the brain, and encourages bilateral coordination.  Crossing the midline is important for the process of developing a dominant hand and development of fine-motor skills
  • Coordination activities such as this prepare the brain for complex tasks and learning

 

HANDOUT
PRACTISE JOURNAL
TECHNIQUE VIDEO

Uses

  • Use this stretch as a transition to classroom tasks after lunch. This complex motor task can support children’s concentration and attention in the classroom.

Instructions

  1. Stand with your arms crossed in front of you to make an X
  2. Bend your elbows
  3. Twist one arm around the other and touch your palms together
  4. Reach your elbows forward and up
  5. Cross one leg over the other and bend your knees. Touch your toes on the floor as needed to help you balance.
  6. Hold for 5 slow breaths, then swap sides
child_girl_eagle_twist

Watch Points

  • Standing tall and chest upright
  • Shoulders down and neck relaxed
  • Focusing on something still (something at eye height in front of you), to help with balance
  • Breathing deeply (not holding breath)

Standing:

  • Do the Eagle Twist standing normally on two feet (instead of lifting or crossing your feet).
  • Raise your left arm out in front of you. Use your right forearm to gently pull your left arm across your body and towards your chest. Hold for 5 deep breaths then switch sides.

Seated:

  • Do the upper body part of the Eagle Twist only.
  • Raise your left arm out in front of you. Use your right forearm to gently pull your left arm across your body and towards your chest. Hold for 5 deep breaths then switch sides.