Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness in schools
07919 882853
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness means directing attention to our experience of the present moment, on purpose and non-judgementally, with open-minded curiosity and acceptance.
I have been teaching yoga, meditation and mindfulness in schools for 8 years, reaching the whole school community from the youngest children aged 4, to sixth formers and INSET training for staff as well as parents' talks. My experience of teaching English and yoga, meditation and mindfulness, as well as mental health first aid training, come together perfectly and allow me to offer a unique blend of experience with outstanding results.
How does mindfulness work in schools?
There is no place for academic education if it is not in the context of a healthy mind. My yoga and mindfulness in schools programme teaches specific strategies for children of all ages helping them to deal with the issues that childhood presents. The children learn how to deal with anxiety and stress with breathing and relaxation practices. This works by training the mind to let go of stress when it is detrimental, understand how to channel stress to work positively to enhance performance, and to increase the capacity to be calm in challenging situations.
"What we practice often, we become good at. This is the same for mindfulness. In times of anxiety, if we practice bringing the mind back to the breath, we become good at it and we live in the moment, rather than ruminating about the past. Just one mindfulness breath reassures the body and mind that everything is okay."
Why does mindfulness matter for children's learning and performance?
Paying attention is a prerequisite for our brain to engage in a task. The practices which children learn will encourage a calm mind which in turn will help them think and function better, enhancing their academic performance.