Move Breathe Learn

An update!! 🔔
It’s been a while between posts so thank you so much to those who have checked in on what’s happening and where this professional adventure is at! I have thrown some study 🤓 into the mix (Positive Psychology and Wellbeing) which has me completely energised, excited and inspired! Yoga is still going strong with beautiful kiddies and their families and lots of great discussions with schools re 2024. 🤸‍♀️My lens is widening as I explore wellbeing (students, staff, whole-school) more broadly, with yoga as one special branch within this. I’m excited to learn from some unbelievably intelligent and wise individuals and to see different doors opening and the direction this path may take me next. It’s fantastic to still be in and out of schools in a casual teaching capacity too as it’s a brilliant way to observe wellbeing in different models as well as to identify some common challenges across all schools in this tricky time for education. Thank you as always for the endless support and encouragement. # # #

Kids of all ages LOVE this part of our lessons.. Relaxation 🧘‍♀️ No matter how busy their little bodies may be, by this point you can hear a pin drop. I particularly loved hearing a little snore come from a very relaxed Kindy student this week 😴

A big day teaching back-to-back classes across Kindergarten to Year 6! So much fun, so much energy and now I am more than ready for bed 😴😴😴

Kids yoga is special in the way it enables the development of skills, understanding and awareness for each individual, whilst also encouraging a deep sense of connection and teamwork amongst the group. Moving through yoga adventures together, partner stretches, games and collective relaxations, helps to build a sense of genuine care and camaraderie. This was demonstrated yesterday in our downward dog tunnel activity! So many smiles, so many laughs and wonderful reflective discussion around ‘what went well’ and ‘what we could improve’. Hearing the words of encouragement amongst the group was a highlight. 💙

For little bodies that are struggling with balance, toe-ga is a fantastic (and wacky!) way to steady the wobbles. Moving the pom-poms from floor to jar requires strength in the tummy and standing leg. It also guarantees giggles and grins! 😄

Emotions ☺️🤪😳😡 We all experience a range of emotions over the course of a day and in children these are particularly observable. In saying this, kids and tweens often find it difficult to articulate exactly how they feel and what has made them feel that way. I use tools such as emotion cards to help kids to expand their emotional vocabulary, to verbalise the highs and lows of their day, and to assist them to open up to their parents at the end of a full school today. We even come up with yoga poses to express the different emotions! The conversations sparked can be so insightful for families and teachers 💛

Breath is a very clever tool to keep in our emotional well-being toolkits and kids LOVE learning a range of fun ways to adjust their breathing. 5 finger breathing ✋🏻, birthday candle breathing 🎂, belly buddy breathing 🦁 and Autumn leaf breathing 🍁 are a handful of practical, creative and FUN ways I teach kids to slow down their breath and, as a result, take a pause before reacting physically or verbally. Give it a go and reap the calmer vibes. 🧘

🧜‍♀️ Yoga postures allow us to stretch and strengthen our bodies and hone our ability to focus (amongst many other more subtle benefits). I have practiced yoga for over ten years, not only to reap the goodness in my own mind and body, but to model to the young people in my personal and professional life by practising what I preach. 🤍 Mermaid pose has long been one of my favourites. ✨ It just feels so good and takes me straight to my happy place - the 🌊 !

Kids move instinctively, intuitively and constantly! (Don’t we teachers know it! 😅 😝) The older we get, the more inhibited and controlled we become. Part of the joy of kids yoga is providing young people with the opportunity and space to move their bodies FREELY, whilst also teaching them the power of moving MINDFULLY. Movement really is medicine for the body and mind. 💙

Where is your happy place? 🍃 🏖️ 🏠

Over the past week I’ve taken my little yogis on a journey in their imagination to their happy place. This looks different for everyone: the park, a beach, a garden, their bedroom, the moon! They decide every detail about their happy place - what’s there, what sounds they can hear, if they are alone or with others - and learn that when they might be struggling to sleep or are on a worry rollercoaster it can be helpful to direct thinking instead to a happy place that feels peaceful, safe and calm.

Think about your own happy place.. I encourage you to model this mindfulness practice by sharing it with a special little person in your life. 💙