Mindfulness
Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, says that:
“An important part of mindfulness is reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience. This means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. Another important part of mindfulness is an awareness of our thoughts and feelings as they happen moment to moment.”
Mindfulness can help us overcome many health-related issues such as stress, high blood pressure, heart disease, and so much more. For children, it can help enhance their mental capabilities such as creativity, abstract thinking and memory … whilst improving social skills. It is no wonder mindfulness is being introduced to children in schools and at home.
How are our classes mindful?
We believe that through mindful practice children learn to pause, catch their breath and get a sense of what they need. We enrich our yoga-based activity classes by nurturing an awareness of mindfulness. It is a skill that we are born with, but life too quickly drowns it out.
We explore our surroundings using the mind, body, emotions and senses to be ‘in the moment’. Using the yogic practices of postures, breath and relaxation, together we create a series of ‘mindful moments’ all aimed at reducing stress, and aiding concentration. Once incorporated into everyday routines, mindfulness is a gift for life.
What does research say?
A 2018 research review on ‘The effects of mindfulness-based interventions on cognition and mental health in children and adolescents’, published on the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, reinforces the efficacy of using Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) for improving the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. The review found significant positive effects of Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) for Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, Attention, Depression, Anxiety/Stress and Negative Behaviours.
Yoga for Life
Yoga is a skill for life. It helps grow physical strength and balance whilst enhancing focus and concentration. It supports children on their educational journey both in the classroom and on the sports field. Sessions are held in school time and at clubs – before and after school – delivered by accredited teachers, on site. Sessions can be tailored around specific topics, helping teachers fulfil learning criteria.