Yoga for children

Children in schools are becoming increasingly stressed with the pressure of exams and other life events. As a qualified teacher, one of the words I have noticed being used so often with children is anxiety. Pupils are very aware of this term now and realise they are feeling it, but not necessarily how to react and respond to it.

Yoga and mindfulness can help children to become more aware of their mind and body. It can allow them to focus and put distractions and stresses into perspective. With the ever demanding curriculum we really need to embrace teaching our children how to be calm and how to relax. This would also be great for the staff too!

Some children have faced such challenges at such a young age, they need an outlet to process this. Yoga and mindfulness can have such a positive impact with these children.

Here is an article from TES for further reading:

https://www.tes.com/news/why-we-need-teach-four-year-olds-mindfulness

Five Mindful steps

1. Move in the morning - Upon rising, try taking some big, deep breaths. Take a full body stretch from side to side and see how much better you can feel!

2. Get outside! Can you walk to work? Can you take a short walk in your lunch break or between meetings. Take in what is around you, look at nature. See if just a few minutes of being in the fresh air can reset your mindset.

3. Digital detox - See if you can avoid looking at your phone or tablet as soon as you get up. Even if you delay it for 10 mins it might just make a difference!

4. Mindful eating- if you can, sit down to eat. Chew your food and take in the taste and texture of what you are eating.

5. Smile. Try it! Making the effort to smile not only brightens someone else's day but makes your day easier to manage too.