You know that class - the one which is always noisy, disruptive, chaotic?
The class you begin to have stress-dreams about by late September!
The one where discipline doesn't work!
Perhaps you need to try a different approach?
Yoga and meditation have been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and to improve mental and physical health.
Could it work in your classroom?
Even with that class?
It doesn't have to be complex, and you really don't need to invest in a ton of yoga mats.
Simple stretches, combined with good breathing practice is a small step which can have a massive impact!
Stand tall and breathe.
Tilt the head and breathe.
Gently pull one arm across your body and breathe.
Repeat with the other arm. Feel your back expand as you breathe.
Widen your stance and stretch one arm over your head towards the ceiling on the opposite side of the room, and breathe. Repeat with the other arm.
Roll down through the spine and reach to the floor - go as far as you can - and breathe. Feel your back expand, try to stretch further as you exhale. Breathe.
Whether you start from standing, or sitting in a chair - move your body, slowly, find basic stretches, and breathe.
Take your time.
Some classes will take to it quickly. Some won't get it. That's OK.
Try. Fail. Try again.
Breathe.
Observe when it does work. Don't push it. Try again another day and take it a little further. The more often you do it, the quicker they will get into it, the more they will look forward to it, and the more productive your class can be.
What do you have to loose?
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