What You Should Know before you Teach Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques to Children

Both Yoga and Mindfulness aim to develop a state of focused but calm alertness, when the mind is fully awake and channelled.

In Meditation, as we witness our thoughts, we understand that we are not our thoughts, potentially working out our triggers, and eventually having a choice as to what we think, how we feel and therefore behave. Our thoughts determine our actions.
There is a misconception that people who need help with stress and anxiety should practice Mindfulness and Meditation. It can be very difficult for them to stay still, facing their woes.

Children who can’t stay still might also derive a sense of failure at this practice. Through the physical practice of Yoga and Mindful movements, all children can connect to a sense of a Mindfulness through:

  • Physical awareness to calm the mind (more body presence reduces mental chatter)
  • ​An experience of balance between mind and body
  • ​The ability to slow down as they focus their efforts to control their bodies.
  • ​Being alert yet calm

Yoga Poses in the classroom also offer a vast range of physiological benefits that will support:

  • ​Better breathing through chest and shoulder stretching
  • ​Energising through whole body movements paced to the breath dynamically
  • ​Stretching and strengthening of the body Core and Legs
  • ​Balance and Coordination Poses to boost focus and dexterity
  • ​Partner and Group Poses to work better as a team
After all, Yoga physical practice was initially developed so that Yogis could eventually spend a long time seated in Meditation, quite a challenge for anyone who has experienced it. Yoga Poses were traditionally designed to strengthen the legs, hips, pelvis, back and shoulders, essentially to stay seated comfortably for long periods of times.
Whilst holding Poses that may feel uncomfortable, we become more comfortable with the discomfort, hence developing physical resilience, as well as a certain familiarity with the experience of the struggle of the mind whilst holding poses (mental resilience – self-control). The emphasis in Yoga is on the journey, the practice, the effort and the discipline. Through this practice, we learn patience, effort, diligence but also a sense of surrender.
By the end of the first term, the children will be able to practice a range of Poses, which they would have improved tremendously at, as well as be happy to sit in stillness and silence for 1-3 minutes. The mindfulness practices that are best initially are those that involve slow micro movements whilst breathing for 6 to 9 breaths only. Keep it short and simple