SCHOOL Kids Yoga: Calm Body, Calm Brain, Calm Heart

What is SCHOOL Kids Yoga anyway? Let me ease your concerns about yoga in the classroom. It is true that yoga originated in India but the way it came to our western civilization, is through a secular manner. SCHOOL Kids Yoga is explained as a series of coordinated movements standing and seated paired with calm breathing that helps us to learn and have helpful attitudes in the classroom. What teacher doesn’t want to see their students learn better and be more caring?

There are three main benefits for practicing SCHOOL Kids Yoga:

Calm body (when our bodies are calm we can be safe and in control)

Calm brain (when our brains are calm we can make good decisions)

Calm hearts (when our hearts are calm we can be kind to others)

Unfortunately, I found SCHOOL Kids Yoga out of a place of frustration and exhaustion. I had been noticing a trend in my students this past year. They were having extreme difficulty with listening, following directions, lack of empathy and controlling their bodies. It was becoming a problem an a hinderance for learning. So I looked for a program to help me with strategies for improving their self control and listening skills.

SCHOOL Kids Yoga is an exceptional program designed from master yoga teacher Kelly Wood. Her website school-yoga.org has additional information for those interested in learning more about SCHOOL Kids Yoga. Kelly has developed a thoughtful and intentional yoga curriculum for the school environment that not only improves posture and flexibility but also a child’s ability to self regulate their own emotions. SCHOOL Kids Yoga is relatable to every teacher and student regardless of subject or grade level and it’s themes like patience, generosity and gratitude bring deeper meaning to the practice.

Since I teach dance I have included SCHOOL Kids Yoga into the beginning and ending of my dance classes. It is great for an entry point into body control, listening, awareness, togetherness, communication and teamwork. So I like to do an abbreviated session that begins with the story, warm up and ends with the meditation. After testing it out with a few of my classes, I have seen a big difference in their overall control and regulation of body, brain and heart. Their posture has improved and with that has come confidence. They are more aware of how their words and actions make others feel and I am thrilled to start the next school year off with introducing these skills.

Please check out school-yoga.org for more information

Wishing you a calm body, calm brain and calm heart.

Alison