The One and Only Ivan Family Yoga
On the Same Page: Wellness, Yoga & The One and Only Ivan Unite in Decatur
Each year, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur hosts On the Same Page—a city-wide reading initiative where readers of all ages share the same book. For several weeks, schools and the community participate in themed activities, all leading up to a grand finale with a special guest reading by the book’s author.
In 2016, the chosen book was The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, inspired by the true story of a silverback gorilla who spent 27 years alone in a cage at a circus-themed mall in Washington state. After being featured in a National Geographic documentary, Ivan was moved to Zoo Atlanta where he finally lived peacefully among other gorillas.
As part of their Step 3: Refine Your Teaching service-learning project, Grounded Kids Yoga teachers earned their green bandanas by designing a Family Event that combined literature, music, art, and yoga.
From Page to Mat: A Mindful Family Event
Almost 100 participants—adults and children aged 4 and up—gathered in the Renfroe Middle School gym for an immersive experience that brought The One and Only Ivan to life through story-based movement.
Instrumentalists from Winnona Park Elementary performed live music while scenes from the book were read aloud. Each character’s traits inspired a unique yoga sequence, inviting participants to feel, move, and reflect in real time. and children 4+were invited to connect with their inner Ivan, Julia, Stella, Ruby and Bob on the mat and then create their own inspired piece of art by drawing with their breath.
Parts of the book were read aloud as instrumentalists from Winnona Park Elementary played music to accompany poses that symbolized the characters in the story.
Ivan the Gorilla – Artist with Patience
Down Dog – knuckle walk
“I am mightier than any human, four hundred pounds of pure power. My body looks made for battle. My arms outstretched span taller than the tallest human. My family tree spreads wide as well.”
Tall Mountain – Chest beat
I Am What I Am – I am friendly, I am brave, I am patient, I am real
“My visitors are often surprised when they see the TV Mack put in my domain. They seem to find it odd, the sight of a gorilla staring at tiny humans in a box. Sometimes I wonder, though: Isn’t the way they stare at me, sitting my tiny box, just as strange.”
See It From My Side
I See It From Your Side
Stella the Elephant- Old and Wise
“Stella says she is sure I will see another real, live gorilla someday, and I believe her because she is even older than I am and has eyes like black stars and knows more than I will ever know. Stella’s trunk is a miracle. She can pick up a single peanut with elegant precision, tickle a passing mouse, tap the shoulder of a dozing keeper.”
Warrior 1 Up into Elephant Pose
Warrior 2 With Clarity
Triangle With Wisdom
“A good zoo,” Stella says, “is a large domain. A wild cage. A safe place to be. It has room to roam and humans who don’t hurt.” She pauses, considering her words. “A good zoo is how humans make amends.”
Soapbox Freedom
Bob the Stray Dog – Street smarts
“Bob is a stray, which means he does not have a permanent address. He is so speedy, so wily, that mall workers long ago gave up trying to catch him. Bob can sneak into cracks and crevices like a tracked rat. Bob is tiny, wiry, and fast, like a barking squirrel. His tail moves like weeds in the wind, spiraling, dancing. Bob’s tail makes me dizzy and confused. It has meaning within meanings like human words. “I am sad,” it says. “I am happy.” It says, “Beware! I may be tiny, but my teeth are sharp.”
Dark Seed Light
Down Dog
No Whining
Flip Your Dog
Dark Seed Light
Double Dog Dare
Ruby the Baby Elephant – Young and playful and curious
“Stand back, everyone!” Mack yells. “We’ve got a new arrival. This is Ruby, folks. Six hundred pounds of fun to save our sorry butts. This gal is gonna sell us some tickets.”
Rock and Roll
“Ruby pokes with annoyance at her roped foot. She takes a breath. “Ivan? Do I have to do the shows with Mack today?”
Calm Down
“I think of Ruby’s endless curiosity, and of the questions she loved to ask. Have you ever danced with a tiger, Ivan? Will your fur turn blue? Why doesn’t that little boy have a tail.”
We Will Rock You
Julia the young girl with a dream to free Ruby and Ivan
“Julia is ten years old. She has hair like black glass and a wide, half-moon smile. She and I have a lot in common. We are both great apes, and we are both artists. Julia’s drawings are wild with color and movement. She draws things that aren’t real: clouds that smile and cars that swim. She draws until her crayons break and her paper rips. Her pictures are like pieces of a dream.”
Camel
Playing With Fire
Laughter Hero
Do the Twist
We breathed back to back
The event closed with a collaborative Breathe and Draw art lesson, where participants drew while breathing back-to-back—mirroring the deep connection between Ivan and Julia.
By linking the story to the mat, families engaged in deeper emotional regulation, storytelling, and imaginative play—all rooted in the book’s message of compassion and understanding.
Gratitude
This day exemplified everything Grounded Kids Yoga stands for:
- Literacy meets movement in a cross-curricular celebration
- Community connection through service learning
- Social-emotional learning that’s embodied, artistic, and inclusive
Thank you, Katherine Applegate, for sharing Ivan’s story.
Thank you, Little Shop of Stories for fostering connection through books.
Thank you to Sarah Coleman and Renfroe Middle School.
And thank you to every Grounded Teacher who helped make this day a celebration of story, stillness, and shared humanity.
