Yoga in the Classroom Creating Calm Confident Kids

Challenging Behaviors?  Anger  Anxieties  Hyperactivity  Disrespectful  Fear  Low self-esteem  Sadness  Bad days

Causes  Large class sizes  Socioeconomically disadvantaged groups (Thomas et al., 2006)  Disruptive classroom environment (Thomas et al., 2006)  Boredom  Home life/parenting choices

The Effects On Them… Impedes learning Lower test scores Negative interaction with teachers/staff/classmates Long term risk of drop-out, peer rejection, onset of adult psychiatric disorders (Caspi, Moffitt, Newman, & Silva, 1998) On You… Reduced teaching time Feelings of inefficiency Risk of confrontational/punitive discipline (Blase, 1986; Wisniewski & Gargiulo, 1997) Leading cause of teacher burn-out (Byrne, 1994; Hastings & Bham, 2003; Lowenstein, 1991)

Almost half of all preschool and early elementary school teachers request formal assistance with classroom behaviour management. (Storey, Lawry, Ashworth, Danko, & Strain., 1994)

Children & Yoga Healthy expression & balance of emotion Creates an environment of confidence & non-competition (everyone succeeds) – calm classroom! Eases anxiety/tension Improves listening skills Encourages creativity, stimulates the mind Supports social/emotional learning Provides opportunities for patience & reflection – preventing reactivity & impulsiveness

Calm Cottontail  Ages 3-10  Represents a calm & confident role model  Lesson plans address auditory, visual and kinesthetic learning styles  Encourages appreciation of nature

Basic Lesson Plan The Peaceful Garden Bunny Breaths Calm Cottontail Stretch Bunny Whisperer Bridge of Dreams Moonbeam Rides Moonlight Serenade Back in the Moonlit Garden Bunny Hugs Courage Each lesson is comprised of 10 sections that naturally flow into each other or implemented throughout the day. Try to be consistent, kids thrive on routine!

Patience Lesson Plan

Patience Peaceful Garden Little bunnies are very patient! “I am going to my peaceful garden where I will be patient.” Bunny Breath Breath in – smelling this flower, I slow down and wait. Breath out – I choose to be patient at this time. Repeat 5-10 times, slow & deep

Patience Cottontail Stretch Bunny squat (chair pose) How low can you go? How patient can you be waiting for your friends to come to the garden? How long can you stay in this pose? Bunny Whisperer Learning to speak to the garden creatures Imagine talking to the Hummingbird Moth… what would you like to say? Would you name it? What would you like to talk about today?

Patience Bridge of Dreams Walk slowly and patiently What is your wish for today? When you reach the other side, we’ll celebrate with dance! Moonbeam Rides We can change just like the colours in the garden Can we change our minds like the colours when we feel rushed – to be patient?

Patience Moonlight Serenade Take time to listen “I am patient. I am patient” Back in the Garden Smell the 4 O’Clock flower again Can you put your stepping stones down slowly and patiently?

Patience Bunny Hugs It felt good to be patient today Give yourself a big Bunny Hug! Courage It takes courage to do something new or try something hard like learning patience! Do the courage stretch with Angel Bear!

Resources Angel Bear Yoga Calm Cottontails $30 USD “My Daddy is a Pretzel” Yoga Pretzels