Complete the Children’s Yoga Course at Atma Darshan Yogashram in India and a week long training at The Holistic Life Foundation at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, to integrate yoga into the school and help students better cope with stress.
I have learned the fundamentals of yoga, including how to connect your breath, body and mind. I have deepened my yoga practice and developed a daily routine so that I can continue to grow. I have learned how to communicate the principals of yoga better, and gained a deeper understanding of the benefits it provides students throughout their childhood.
I have learned to streamline my teaching by simplifying the lessons to encourage student independence and mastery of skills. I have also linked the physical and mental benefits of each pose in order to empower my students and teach them how yoga positively benefits them. Will also spend more time reflecting on how they are feeling after each pose or series of poses. This will build their awareness of their body, mind and breath. Finally, I will devote more time to relaxation techniques.
My greatest personal accomplishment was living a yoga lifestyle in the Ashram. It allowed to me reflect on my own personal choices and practices as a person. It allowed me the space and time to analyze how I felt in my practice and better understand how yoga impacts students in different parts of their development. I am committed to being a student and teacher of yoga and encouraging my students to do the same.
My students will be positively impacted because I will teach them yoga during the school day. Students will learn how to use their breath and body to focus and calm their mind. I believe it will lead to better attention in school and provide them with positive coping skills for their stress. They will be empowered to use their yoga tools throughout their day to help them navigate the world.
I plan to teach all staff the breathing techniques I learned that supports students to be in a learning ready state. I also plan to teach staff yoga classes as a part of a wellness program that gives teachers self-care strategies. My colleagues understand I am a resource for them for trying out a trauma informed practices.
We will celebrate student learning in Community Meeting by sharing our learning with others. We will also have a parent class, where we will invite family members in to teach them what we learned in yoga. Our students will leave yoga class knowing they are teachers of yoga and can share their learning with their community.
We are trying to give our community positive tools to manage their stress and gain a sense of peace in a chaotic world.
I would tell them I understand the power of reflection in a deeper way, especially when learning something. I am amazed by the impact reflection has had on my as a learner this summer. It has changed the way I think and taught me to be more thoughtful and observant. I will always intentionally make space for reflection because it has been so valuable to me. My experience was so layered and each day I remember something new. I am so excited to continue to reflect and learn.
FUND FOR TEACHERS ©