ON A TIME MACHINE TO ANCIENT EGYPT
Class prepared by Nuria Sanguinetti
MATERIALS:
Slides of Egypt
Music : Paul Horn , recorded in the Queen´s Chamber of the Keops Pyramid.(flute)
This visualization is used after a whole unit of Egypt ,having seen 15-17 slides of : landscapes, the pyramids, mummies and paintings.
-- Working with the body - Postures – Seven positions of the spine.
-- Cleaning the house Pawamuktasana – Joint exercises.
--Breathing
-- Triangular breathing: inhale like getting to the top of a pyramid, exhale like getting down, pause while you walk along the base of the pyramid.
Explain it´s a relaxing breathing as the pause is done with lungs empty, little oxygen.
--Relaxation ( with eyes closed, rotation on the different parts of the body)
n Visualization: (The whole story can be read or it can de adapted/ shortened by the teacher)
The teacher reads:
“Imagine you get into a time machine and travel back to the land of the River Nile, one of the longest rivers of the world, which crosses Egypt from North to South.
You are invited to get into what looks like an enormous box and once in, you press a button which says “Ancient Egypt”.
After travelling for some minutes, when the machine stops moving, you realise the journey has finished. You get out of it and you realise you´ve landed in the middle of the desert and there you are, in the “land of the pharaohs”!!
You are feeling very very hot.
The warmth of the sun is in contact with your face.
Feel the heat on your face.
The climate is very dry.
The landscape is impressive: a flat surface, the yellowish desert, some pyramids far away with some Egyptians surrounding them.
A long river, the Nile, acts like a magnet as you feel the urge to start walking along its banks.
The soil surrounding the river is very dark, evidence of fertile land for farming.
Probably, there has already been a flood this year.
You listen to the noise of the water as it flows past you.
You see some Egyptians are preparing the irrigation system. In this way they can make the best use of the flood waters, by building reservoirs.
Agriculture in Egypt, and life itself, is only possible because of this.
You continue walking….
The yellow sand of the desert intensifies the heat.
You can even “smell” the desert.
Some birds are singing, identify the different sounds and songs each of them has.
Trees grow on the two sides of the Nile. Like an oasis.
You even touch a tree to feel it is real. Feel the texture of its bark.
Touch also a papyrus plant growing near the river.
Get your shoes off and walk into the water. You might even feel tempted to make a swim in the water.
Pause…
At the distance you see a group of pyramids and you start walking towards them.
You remember you were told they were built as tombs for the pharaohs.
As you approach them, you become aware of their gigantic size. They are really colossal.
You even touch one, intrigued by its materials. They are built of stone and mud bricks. forming a massive architectural construction.
But how on earth did they place the stones so high if they didn´t know the wheel?
Part of the Egyptian mystery, you remember having been told.
You listen to the conversation of some Egyptian workers.
Incredibly enough, one of them invites you to enter a pyramid.
You can´t believe such an honour!!
You start walking and you see the walls covered in paintings depicting Egyptian daily routine; parties, Egyptians peasants farming the land, people farming…
You start walking until you get into the Queen´s Chamber. Someone is playing music and this creates a special effect.
You sit down next to the musician. And you relax while listening to the music.
( Music plays, the musician is Paul Horn and the music was recorded in the Queen´s Chamber, of the Keops pyramid).
Try to distinguish the instrument he plays.
Feel the special energy of the pyramid.
Breathe deeply….
You are enjoying this enriching experience.
After some minutes, you prepare yourself to leave this place and to finish this inner trip to the past. You see yourself walking out of the pyramid and there you are! In front of the time machine which is waiting for you!
But now, the button you press says “history class, Wednesday, 2nd July”
And here you are, back in the present….
Start moving your fingers and your toes very slowly, at you own rhythm.
Paying plenty of attention to transition, take your time to open you eyes.
I hope you´ve enjoyed this mental trip to Egypt”.
………………………………
Concentration:
After this visualisation, participants of the second degree ( RYE training) will have to work in groups and think of other yoguic activities related to this.
E. g. postures, follow up, etc
In a real class, students can draw or write abour their experience as a follow up activity .
For example: “Write a letter to a friend telling him or her abour your trip to Egypt”.
or “Paint – Draw one of the best moments of your journey”.
Remember visualizations improve creativity!