What is mindfulness?
- Mindfulness is about training our attention to notice what our minds are doing, how our body feels, and the emotions we are feeling, thus increasing self-care and reducing emotional reactivity.
- Mindfulness helps us to feel more centred and calm as we focus on present moment acceptance rather than being restrained by the thoughts of the past or inhibited by impressions of the future.
- Mindfulness improves focus and concentration, through attentional training.
We want schools to have a whole-school approach that makes talking about feelings, emotions and well-being as normal for pupils as talking about their physical bodies. That might include...whole-school programmes such as mindfulness...or yoga sessions.
What mindfulness is not
- Mindfulness is not a religious practice: It neither advances a spiritual belief nor inhibits the religious ethos of a school.
- The goal of Mindfulness is to not empty our minds. Instead we train ourselves to observe what is happening and our reactions to them.
- Mindfulness is not about doing nothing – it is about actively noticing what is happening.
By steading one’s attention in [mindfulness]...one can learn to respond in more clear-headed, versatile, and creative ways to daily choices and challenges, instead of being driven by habit and impulse...the most effective time to learn [this] is during childhood.
Why mindfullness in the classroom?
- Improve emotional resilience and self-regulation.
- Make learning more effective and rewarding thus improving educational attainment.
- Work as an effective class management tool to improve pupil behaviour and reduce bullying.
There is still much more for us to learn and do to enable all children to enjoy good mental health and emotional well-being, and...schools and colleges have a vital role in achieving that. That is where mindfulness...comes in.
What we offer
YoYogaSoul works in partnership with an international charity, Mind with Heart to train school staff in delivering Mindfulness to pupils. We can also deliver a one-off introductory workshop or a full eight or ten-week curriculum, both with materials to your pupils.
For more details see our SERVICES or get in touch via our CONTACT page.
