Cultivating Calm: The Power of Mindfulness Practices for Students, Teachers, and you!

I won’t lie, the schools and our social systems feel incredibly out of touch, out of alignment for what our kids need now. Somedays, I feel totally overwhelmed by all of it! Even after “doing” this impactful work since 2012 myself, somedays I question if this quiet activism even matters anymore. As a volunteer and yogi, mom and community partner, I still find myself drawn to sharing these tools for schools and school teachers. I used to want to be a school teacher and dreamed of a life of impacting youth with tools and being the “favorite teacher” much like my own. I wanted to share the approachable and empathetic vibes I needed when I was in school. Funny how it all works out.

Being a yoga teacher in school outreach programs has absolutely been a fantastic experience in making some of those dreams come to life. In this blog today, let’s chat a short bit about how to bring mindfulness practices to your kid’s classroom and schools. I will explore the benefits of mindfulness practices for students and discover age-appropriate techniques that you can easily integrate into your classroom and even your home life too! Let's delve into the world of mindfulness and unlock its potential to empower students and you to thrive.

We all know schools and school teachers play a critical role in nurturing the minds of our future generations. In recent years the increasing challenges have weighed heavily on our systems.Teachers are walking away from a career they once dreamed of! As we all become increasingly aware of the importance of mental well-being, it's no surprise that the interest in mindfulness practices within educational settings is growing. From grade 1 to grade 12, students and teachers alike, face a multitude of challenges. Incorporating mindfulness into their daily lives makes a significant difference. Without diving too deep into personal stories, although we all love a personal story, I can tell you that being involved and parenting from a trauma informed perspective since 2011, mindfulness based practices has gotten us (party of 3, self and twins) all through school shootings, hurricanes, job loss, and of course the pandemic with a sense of grounded awareness that I am eternally grateful for each day.

Understanding the Benefits of Mindfulness in Schools

Implementing mindfulness practices in schools reveals benefits over time for students and teachers alike! By practicing mindfulness, students develop improved attention spans, allowing them to concentrate on tasks and absorb information more effectively. This, in turn, leads to better academic performance and a deeper understanding of the material. The lessons of “how to ficus” are rarely quantified in classrooms or even taught. Mindfulness forms this as a habitual process of bringing awareness back to the moment again and again, creating a “highway of connection” within the brain.

Mindfulness also plays a vital role in reducing stress levels among students. School life can feel unsafe, demanding, and for some even pointless. Students experience pressure to excel academically and socially. By incorporating mindfulness into their daily routines, students can learn to manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelm with a simple tool you will learn later in the blog, hang with me! Regular mindfulness practice helps you develop the ability to step back, observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment, and respond to challenging situations with clarity and composure.

One of our favorites we have talked about since 2003 in our outreach training weekend and our youth outreach programing, mindfulness promotes emotional regulation, which is essential for healthy social-emotional development. Students who practice mindfulness gain valuable skills in recognizing and understanding their emotions, as well as responding to them in a thoughtful and present manner. This self-awareness and emotional resilience enhance their relationships with peers and teachers, creating a more positive and inclusive school environment. Can you imagine your classroom or workplace with this level of present and aware communication? It is possible!

Age-Appropriate Mindfulness Techniques and Examples

Mindfulness practices can be tailored to suit the developmental needs of students in different grade levels. For younger students, in grade 3 to grade 6, simple techniques like mindful breathing exercises and guided visualizations can lay a foundation for mindfulness. These exercises can be incorporated into morning routines with only minutes to practice or used as transitions between activities, helping students center themselves and focus. Transitioning from places and spaces to study time is not always an easy practice. What if you shared the fun Bee’s breathe, or Box breathe before getting into your new lesson or even before a meeting? This is a really fun portion of our CoCo Weekend Training!

For middle school students, in grades 6 to 8, introducing mindful body scans with words of safety can deepen their mindfulness practice. This is an area we talk at length about during our CoCo weekend together. Oftentimes this age group is so uncomfortable in their changing body, we teach ways to empower positive body connections with language that reinforces wellness while emphasizing strength, free will and self control. Body scans involve bringing attention to different parts of the body, noticing physical sensations, and cultivating a sense of present-moment awareness. Additionally, interactive mindfulness activities, such as mindful walking or mindful eating, can engage students and provide them with practical tools to bring mindfulness into their daily lives. Have you ever just sat with a piece of chocolate and let it dissolve in your mouth slowly, or what about the act of peeling and eating an orange? It’s a whole experience that brings many of your senses to the present!

With HS students we have to meet them where THEY are ( a favorite trauma informed principle we have been sharing since 2003) you get to make mindfulness relevant to their daily lives. Sports, relationships, parents, teachers, friends—if you can relate it to what the students are experiencing and they understand how it can actually be useful in their lives, you will grab their attention. In high school, students can explore more mindfulness techniques, such as journaling or loving-kindness meditation. Mindful journaling allows students to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, fostering self-expression and self-discovery. Loving-kindness meditation encourages students to cultivate compassion and empathy towards themselves and others, promoting positive interpersonal relationships. We also love to share connection practices with meditation and ways to engage the most resistant student. Look for more of that info in our upcoming blogs!

The Role of Yoga in Schools and Social Emotional Learning

Yoga, when combined with mindfulness and taught from an awareness of internal well being and not outward performance, offers a holistic approach to well-being in schools. The practice of trauma informed yoga not only promotes physical wellness but also cultivates mental and emotional well-being as the brain remodels itself with practice! Scientists call this neuroplasticity. By incorporating this type of yoga into schools, we can create opportunities for students to develop essential social-emotional skills like self awareness, self respect and self control in a fun and movement based practice that is teaching calm and positive messages.

Yoga poses, or asanas, can help students develop body awareness, balance, strength, and flexibility. They provide an embodied experience, allowing students to connect their minds and bodies, and foster a sense of grounding and presence. Breathing exercises, or pranayama, practiced in yoga help students regulate their breath, calm their nervous system, and reduce anxiety.

In addition to the physical benefits, yoga promotes self-awareness and mindfulness. Through guided movement and breathing, students learn to focus their attention, let go of distractions, and connect with their inner selves. This self-awareness extends beyond the yoga mat and supports students in their overall well-being and personal growth. Most recently I was volunteering in a highschool gym class with 30 youth. Six weeks went by in a blink. They shared moments about how after only 2 weeks of our signature practices of trauma informed yoga, they were sleeping better, felt more hopeful and looked forward to “yoga days”. They shared with me how 6 weeks of our time together changed the way they looked at each other and felt closer to their friends and more patient with their teachers. One student asked me on the last day; “How can I do what you did for us, when I grow up?”

Some of our trauma informed teachers have led their schools to successfully integrate yoga programs in afterschool programs, in athletic organizations like Football and Baseball as well as making it a behavior diversion program in multiple states. They have witnessed positive outcomes such as improved test scores, better focus, reduced anxiety, and increased self-confidence leading to healthier choices. Our own organization found an 85% improvement in five key areas! By incorporating yoga into physical education classes or offering dedicated yoga classes, schools can provide students with a comprehensive approach to well-being and improved futures.

The Importance of Trauma-Informed Mindfulness

For all of us in this post pandemic era, a trauma-informed approach to mindfulness is crucial. Trauma-informed mindfulness practices recognize the impact of trauma on individuals and create safe and supportive environments for healing and growth. In order to give our youth the best possible chance, it is essential for educators and school staff to be trained in trauma-informed practices to ensure that mindfulness practices are implemented in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

Research studies, such as the one conducted by Harvard on mindfulness-based stress reduction, have shown the effectiveness of evidence-based practices in helping individuals recover from trauma. Mindfulness, when integrated with trauma-informed principles, can support students in developing a greater sense of safety, trust, and self-regulation.

We call that resilience and also Post Traumatic Growth(PTG). The PTG theory was developed in the 1990s by Richard Tedeschi, PhD, and Lawrence Calhoun, PhD. The theory states that following adversity or crisis, people often see positive growth.

By incorporating trauma-informed mindfulness practices in schools, we can provide the necessary support and resources for students to thrive.

Creating a trauma-sensitive environment that prioritizes the well-being and emotional safety of all students is essential for their overall success and happiness.

Oh the stories I have to illustrate these are NUMEROUS and what many of the facilitators share during The CoCo Weekend training.

Fostering Connection, Belonging, and Hope.

Do we even use these words right now?

Connection, Belonging, Hope!

Mindfulness practices in schools have the power to foster a sense of connection, belonging, and hope among students. By creating a supportive community through youth outreach programs, volunteer initiatives, and partnerships with organizations like Connection Coalition, schools can cultivate an environment where students feel valued and supported, seen and heard with a sense of present awareness. It’s what sets us apart!

Our youth outreach programs focus on mindfulness and well-being as we provide students with the opportunity to connect with their peers, share experiences, and learn from one another. We show up as volunteers modeling what we teach, connection and kindness. Volunteer initiatives, like ours, teach students the importance of giving back and foster a sense of purpose and empathy.

Partnerships with organizations like Connection Coalition can bring specialized training and resources to schools, enabling educators to implement trauma-informed mindfulness practices effectively in their own classrooms. These partnerships help create a positive school culture that prioritizes well-being, where students feel seen, heard, and supported.

By fostering a sense of connection, belonging, and hope, schools can empower students to navigate the challenges they face with resilience and optimism. The long-term benefits of creating a positive school culture extend far beyond academic success, laying the foundation for students to thrive in all aspects of their lives.

Mindfulness practices have a profound impact on students' lives, from grade 1 to grade 12. By incorporating mindfulness into schools, you equip students with essential tools to navigate challenges, foster resilience, and thrive academically and emotionally. It's important to remember that mindfulness practices need to be age-appropriate, shared from a place of inclusiveness, and simply integrated into the classroom curriculum.

To take your commitment to mindfulness further, I invite you to participate in the weekend training offered by Connection Coalition. By becoming trained in trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness practices, you will have tools for yourself and have the capacity and tool box of teachings to impact students in a positive high vibrational way!

We have been working quietly (and some seasons bold and loud) to create a world where calm and well-being are cultivated, enabling students to flourish and embrace their full potential. There are young adults moving through life with seeds we planted in 2003. We know we have left some youth in homeless shelters in Las Vegas inspired to start their own nonprofits. We know some kids we worked with in NYC have plants growing from the yoga program we kicked off in Harlem in 2015.

This work lives on, not just in theory or case studies but in 27 states where hopeful yogis, case workers, mental health professionals, yoga teachers and yoga enthusiasts have come together for a weekend to learn how to bring these practices to college campuses, private practices, homeless shelters, foster shelters, transitional youth programs, domestic violence shelters and hundreds of organizations across the country.

Promoting mindfulness in schools is not just a trend; it's a movement towards a brighter future for our students and society as a whole. Join the movement, and let's prioritize the well-being of our students as they embark on their educational journey. Together, we can shape a generation of mindful, resilient, and compassionate individuals who will contribute positively to the world.