Lazy 8 Breath or Infinity Breath is one of my favorite shape breathing techniques. I find this shape extremely soothing. Added bonus is the cross lateral work that connects left and right hemispheres of the brain helping to calm and focus.
When teaching young children provide them a printout which they can trace with their finger as they learn how to practice Lazy 8 Breath.
Once you have learned the technique you can trace an imaginary lazy 8 with your finger on your desk, your hand, your thigh, wherever. Repeat 8 times since it’s a lazy “8”.
This breathing technique is especially effective to calm and focus. Use it before exams to overcome test anxiety and invite a relaxed, alert state of mind.
For more breathing and mindfulness techniques join our Teacher’s Lounge.
Develop an understanding of the fundamental skills, attitudes and guidelines which contribute to success when teaching children’s yoga. Teaching yoga to children is vastly different from teaching to adults. Learn how to connect with kids, discover your own voice and the power of being genuine, be a true professional by understanding who you are, what you do and how to best present yourself, all while having a blast and knowing you are impacting children’s lives in a positive and meaningful way.
Join founder of Yoga In My School Donna Freeman as she outlines the A-Z of teaching yoga to kids. A is for Attention – learn the key to increasing attention span … what is Q for? 90 minutes
Recently I came across a blog post about how to teach yoga and mindfulness to children with hearing loss. Since I’ve worked at a school for the deaf for a number of years I was interested to discover what insights the author might add.
Miss Megan of Learning Lotuses joins us for this episode to chat about yoga for children with hearing loss. She’ll share insights on what to expect as an instructor and how to navigate some potential hurdles. We’ll discuss sensory processing and sensory fatigue, the effective use of FM systems, tips for savasana, and so much more.
Yoga & Mindfulness for Hearing Loss podcast – LISTEN HERE
Yoga In My School podcast on iTunes
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Over the past few years more and more schools are offering yoga and mindfulness as part of the curriculum. This is in part due to the increase in research supporting the benefits of yoga and mindfulness including improvements in attention span, focus, ability to deal with stress, creativity, confidence and self management, to name a few. When offering school based yoga programs it is important to recognize that schools have a unique culture which is vastly different from yoga studios, recreational centres, private lesson or community classes.
These do’s and don’ts come from 14 years experience working in the Alberta, Canada education system. They are a guide on how to offer yoga in an available, approachable manner to improve the overall health, wellness and learning readiness of the next generation.
Above all support the programs you offer to schools with follow up and additional support for administrators and teachers. We can change the world one moment, one breath, one child at a time with regular practice, open communication and relationship building.
For more information on how to effectively and appropriately teach yoga in schools to kids and teens please join a Yoga In My School weekend workshop.
Don’ts
Don’t Be Too ‘New Agey’
Keep your words and approach grounded and real. Offer straight up yoga and mindfulness skills without fluff, illusions, artistic interpretation. For example with Sun Salutations don’t say, “Reaching tall to the sun embrace it’s loving radiance and hold in within your heart.” Save the poetic cueing for the yoga studio.
Don’t Teach Whatever You Want
Always co-ordinate with the classroom teacher as to their goals for the class. Every school period has specific educational outcomes. Teach within these parameters.
Don’t Be Surprised by the Religion Issue
Have alternative ways to offer yoga and mindfulness that will appeal to all participants. This may mean reframing and rephrasing the experience into ‘mindful movement’ or ‘stretch & relax’ sessions and avoiding trigger words such as ‘Om’. Always offer a non-dogmatic approach being open and welcoming of all traditions.
Don’t Use Sanskrit Terms or Chants
Yes, we in the yoga world love our Sanskrit but to many these terms can be foreign and scary. Use English. Save Sanskrit and chanting for studio classes or high school Yoga 15, 25, 35 classes.
Don’t Wear Revealing Clothing
Keep things ‘G’ rated. Check your clothing in the mirror before you leave the house. Too much cleavage? Too tight? Too revealing? Is it appropriate for a 6 year old or a hormone riddled teen? Ask yourself what would a PE teacher wear?
Do’s
Do Know the Curriculum
The Alberta Program of Studies is available online. Do your research and know what needs to be taught for each grade level. When teaching Grade 3 students its wonderful to explore bhramari breathing knowing that it supports the Grade 3 Science curriculum regarding learning about sound.
Do Know the Language
Knowledge of the language of education is essential in order to express how yoga and mindfulness can address the challenges faced in today’s classroom. Know what it means to be coded, what is RTI (Response to Intervention), an IEP (Individual Education Plan) and other terms common to education.
Do Use Child Friendly Terms
Your teaching style and language will change depending on the age of the students. Use terms appropriate for the age, abilities, understanding and maturity of the kids in your class. For example be very concrete when working with younger students, ask them “Please sit down criss cross, eyes on me.”
Do Include Relaxation and Mindfulness
Kids today are over programmed, over scheduled and over stimulated. They are in desperate need of relaxation tools and mindfulness practices to invite peace and calm into their lives. Give them this gift. Movement is a form of meditation. So is stillness.
Do Link to Kids Lives
Include stories, games and activities linking yoga asana, pranayama and relaxation to kids’ interests and life. Many poses are named after animals and pranayama can be tailored for specific needs such as finding calm, before bed, or test prep.
We are thrilled to share with you the new I Am Peace by Susan Verde. Susan recently found time to chat with us about the book.
I Am Peace invites all to calm our busy minds by focusing on the here and now. With touching illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds I Am Peace shows a variety of ways to connect with self, nature and others through compassionate awareness.This empowering book provides children numerous mindfulness tools they can use to calm down and the peace that comes from enjoying simple pleasures.
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Mindful Essentials for Educators
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