There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that exposing both teachers and students to yoga and mindfulness training has a positive effect on learning, pragmatic skills, focus and attention. This effect appears to have a lasting, durable and positive impact. This project will offer a yoga program with mindfulness training to a group of students at McKinley-Brighton Elementary. The project funds will be used to bring a certified children’s yoga instructor in to offer a six-week series of yoga classes to an inclusive group of 4th and 5th grade students. The yoga teacher will provide instruction and support in simple yoga postures and breathing techniques for our students as well as some basic mindfulness and meditation training. Additionally, she will also provide a one-hour, after-school training for teachers that would introduce them to the benefits and applications of some simple yoga-based activities that they can use in the classroom. Funds from the grant will also be used to purchase a class-set of yoga mats for the students and a set of the “Tools for Schools” Classroom Bundle from YogaKids so that after the yoga program has been completed, teachers would have the knowledge and materials to continue to provide yoga-based and mindfulness activities to enhance students’ well-being.
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