Unit 6 Video · The Yoga Lesson

1Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.

1What sort of jobs often leave people without much free time? Why?

2Have you got enough free time or do you work or study too much?

3Do you ever feel stressed by all the things you have to do in a day?

4What do you usually do to relax?

2Match words 1–6 with their meanings a–f.

a) an activity like karate – you fight using hands/feet b) bends easily c) able to stand/walk steadily without falling d) when there is no sound e) emptying your mind of thoughts and feelings f) worried about something

1.silence

2.anxious

3.martial art

4.flexible

5.balance

6.meditation

3aWork in pairs. Read the text quickly. Have you heard of the techniques in bold? Have you tried any of them? Tell your partner.

Three great ways to beat stress Yoga is a type of exercise which originally came from India. People have practised yoga for over 5,000 years and nowadays it's very popular with people of all ages – it's even taught in some primary schools. There are many different types of yoga but they all focus on breathing and different movements that help make you stronger and more flexible. This combination of breathing and slow movement also helps you feel less stressed and anxious.

Another ancient Asian activity that's great for stress is tai chi, which is often practised outside. It started as a martial art in China in the 13th century and now it's a popular form of exercise all around the world. Scientists say that doing tai chi regularly improves your balance and coordination, and makes you stronger and calmer.

A popular way to de-stress if you don't want to do exercise is mindfulness. This is a meditation technique where you focus only on the present moment and the physical world around you. When you meditate, you sit in silence and focus on your breathing and the things that you can see, hear and smell. This helps you clear your head and stop worrying about other things.

3b Read the text again. According to the text, which activity…

1.is about 800 years old?

2.was originally a type of activity like karate?

3.has existed since 3000 BC?

4.comes from India?

5.improves your balance?

6.isn't a type of physical exercise?

7.is taught in some schools?

8.is practised in the open air?

9.makes bending your body easier?

10.is practised in silence?

4aWork in pairs. You are going to watch a video about a yoga and meditation lesson. Do you think Ronnie is going to enjoy it? How do you think he'll feel at the end of the video?

4b Watch the video and check your ideas.

5aRead Ronnie's introduction. Choose the correct alternatives.

Hello, Ronnie the Roadmap reporter here. Now, we all know life can be very ¹… and one way we can help forget about ²… or that phone we can't just ³… off is to try and do something ⁴…. These days more and more people are ⁵… yoga and meditation. So, does it help? Can it make us feel ⁶…?
Now, I've never tried ⁷… or meditation, so I've no idea. But today I've invited an expert into the studio to show me how to do it.

5b Watch the video from 0:10–0:48 and check your answers.

6Watch the video from 0:48 to the end. Number photos A–E in the order you see them.

A — partner-assisted stretch · B — back bend on the mat · C — sitting cross-legged facing partner · D — standing balance pose · E — bending forward standing pose

Apartner-assisted stretch (kneeling)

Bback bend on the mat

Csitting cross-legged facing partner

Dstanding balance pose (one leg)

Estanding bend / handstand-style pose

7aComplete the instructions with the words in the box.

bringcountcross focusliftput relaxstandstand start

1.Just your legs for me and your hands on your knees.

2.Err, let's just on the breath for now and I'll the entire time.

3.So, if you just here for me. If you just on all fours.

4.So, if you just on the opposite side of the mat.

5.And stand on one leg and the free leg up …

6.Yep like that … the arms and up. Perfect!

7b Watch the video from 0:48–3:22 and check your answers.

8aWork in pairs. Decide if the sentences below are true (T) or false (F).

8b Watch the whole video and check your answers.

9Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.

1Why do you think activities like yoga or meditation help people feel less stressed?

2What other techniques can help people feel less stressed? Have you tried any of them?

3Do you think technology makes people's lives more or less stressful? Why / Why not?

10Work in pairs. Take turns to give your partner advice about the situations below.

1Your boss keeps calling you out of office hours and asking you to do work.

2You feel stressed because you have too much work at the moment.

3You're worried about an exam and can't sleep.

💬 Try using phrases like: "You should try…" · "Why don't you…?" · "Have you thought about…?" · "It might help to…"

🎬 The Roadmap Report — Unit 6