Moving with Mindfulness: Yoga and Dance in January

January has zoomed by, and the yoga and dance room has kept us joyful, warm, and active amidst the cold! It has been remarkable to see children take big "steps" in both yoga and dance. We have added new songs, yoga flows, and dance steps that align with children's interests and the changing seasons.

In yoga, some of the new routines children love include On the Train and Big Brown Bear. In the older classrooms, we are expanding students' anatomical understanding of how yoga and deep breathing affect our physiology. We explored images of the brain to see how using skills such as breathing, yoga, cold water, and relaxation activate our "upstairs brain" (the prefrontal cortex), helping to calm "downstairs brain" feelings when the amygdala is activated.

Dance also provides an expressive outlet for emotions, helping children process and release their feelings. Through movement, they learn to navigate complex emotions, which supports emotional regulation. Like mindfulness practices, dance requires focus and presence. Concentrating on dance movements helps shift brain activity from the emotional center to the problem-solving part, promoting a sense of calm and improving focus. This deepens the mind-body connection, teaching children to listen to their bodies and recognize the physical manifestations of their emotions—an awareness that is foundational for holistic well-being.

Looking forward to new movements and happenings next month!

Namaste,
Ms. Ellen