Last quarter, my kids doing Virtual Learning, was a SH!T SHOW.
Personally, I can’t go through it again.
I will spare you the details and just say that I am doing all I can to prepare for the online experience that begins in a few weeks. One thing that we will definitely be doing is Yoga and Meditation.
And, I know we need Yoga and Meditation, because after 25 years of:
teaching yoga,
working in hundreds of schools,
and teaching thousands of kids (for reals),
I have experienced firsthand, again and again, that yoga and meditation:
CHANGES a learning environment and
CHANGES a student’s experience with how they learn.
Ultimately, it even CHANGES the student.
It is simple.
Consistent and thoughtful integration of mindfulness and movement MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER. PERIOD.
The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.
– Jon Kabat-Zinn
Science has proven that this stuff works.
We can actually look at images of the brain before and after and see increased gray-matter density! As shared in the Harvard Gazette’s, Eight Weeks to a Better Brain, “There are measurable changes in brain regions associated with memory, sense of self, empathy, and stress.”
We know it works, we just need to do it.
Believe me, I know it isn’t easy.
And, I understand that many people aren’t trained HOW to implement Yoga and Mindfulness into their life.
So, I have been brainstorming all summer about how I can share my knowledge and experience of Yoga and Mindfulness with others in a practical way that people can understand and actually use.
And here’s the good news. I’ve come up with something!
I AM MORE EXCITED ABOUT THIS THAN I CAN EXPLAIN.
It’s a Three Part Plan.
PART ONE:
I have put 20 “Yoga Tools” onto Cards. Simple, easy to read, fun to use: YOGA & MINDFULNESS CARDS.
20 Tools, that I have used for years and seen firsthand that they HELP.
The Cards can be used by students, teachers, and parents throughout the day to become more present, connected, and less stressed!
You can buy the Yoga & Mindfulness Cards here.
I’ve also made a Power Point Presentation of the Tools for Educators here.
And please, if you or someone you know is having financial problems, I would love to give you the Cards. Just let me know.
PART 2:
Next, I will be releasing a VIRTUAL LEARNING SUPPORT PACKAGE!
The Yoga & Mindfulness Support Package includes:
– Videos (Including Morning Yoga to start your day off right)
– Guided 5 minute Meditations (for Anxiety, Focus, Relaxation, etc.)
– Affirmation Cards
– Mindfulness Activities
– Journaling / Reflection Sheets
– Poses to help with: Anxiety, Focus, Anger, Feelings, Energy level, etc.
PART 3:
There will be several offerings of weekly live Zoom classes for us to connect and a few surprises that I think will help promote peace in our homes (and on our planet), in some extraordinary ways!
Yes, there will probably still be tremendous difficulties with Virtual Learning. It’s kind of a given.
For me and my family, the priority will be staying connected and taking care of our WHOLE Being (body, mind, and spirit).
Our emotional health sets the stage for how we handle everything else. My kids can’t learn if they are anxious and stressed. So, my focus will be on making sure we ALL take time for care. The rest of our day will build around that.
And, my hope is that our community can lean on each other. Find creative ways to stay connected.
Share the tough and the tender.
Share what works and what is helping.
I am here. I see you. I hear you.
Let’s stay connected and create some goodness within a challenging time.
You are the sky. Everything else is just the weather. -Pema Chödrön
Namaste & Love,
Michele
