by Jim Gillen | Sep 23, 2015 | Attention / Focus, Behavior, Brain/Mind Science, Breath work, Mindfulness
We often receive emails and phone calls from teachers and counselors asking us, “How do I bring the benefits of yoga and mindfulness to the youth I serve?” The answer is simple, but not always easy to do: Start with yourself. As educators and counselors we know that...
by Jim Gillen | Sep 13, 2015 | Attention / Focus, Behavior, Brain/Mind Science, Breath work, Mindfulness
Transitions are an important time. Starting the school day, shifting from work mode to having a family meal, preparing for sleep are all key times to shift our attention. They are also the perfect opportunity to develop your mindfulness practice. Mindfulness is all...
by Jim Gillen | Aug 2, 2015 | Attention / Focus, Behavior
We’ve looked before at the relationship between physical activity and cognitive skills. The short version, as brain scientist John Medina has noted, is that our brains developed to work best while we’re moving in an outdoor environment. This is one of the reasons why,...
by Jim Gillen | Jan 25, 2015 | Behavior, K-12 Education, Uncategorized
Research shows that children who are bullied often carry a posture and a story of victimization. Trauma, low self-esteem, learning disabilities and obesity also can set up a child for ridicule and rejection. As we’ve noted before, such children begin to walk and talk...
by Jim Gillen | Nov 9, 2014 | Behavior, Class plans
A wonderful anecdote from senior yoga teacher Patricia Walden recently caught my eye in a post at Yoga Journal. She recalled a statement BKS Iyengar made to her when she struggled with depression: “If you open your armpits, you’ll never get...
by Jim Gillen | Feb 1, 2014 | Behavior, K-12 Education, Uncategorized
by Lynn Hernandez, school principal and Certified Yoga Calm Youth Instructor After attending Yoga Calm training last February I was so excited about the possibilities at my school for both students and staff. I knew that these mindful movement activities would help...
