Mindfulness Session Success!

We are pleased to announce that the after-school mindfulness session was a great success! We thank all the students that attended, as well as the two teachers who helped us present: Ms. Tice and Mrs. Scott. Thank you!

The responses to the session were great. Students all said they loved it, and when we looked at our survey data, they gave us suggestions and compliments. Overall, the session was a huge success!

Students started the session with quiet music accompanied with mindful coloring. There were a variety of coloring sheets they could choose from, and this set them up in a quiet mood for other activities. Later, we held a discussion in which students shared their experience coloring. 

Disha led a meditation activity in which students closed their eyes and reflected quietly, focusing on their breath and clearing their mind. This prepared them for yoga and another form of meditating. Students meditated for a full ten minutes. 

Another form of meditation was Glitter Jar meditation, which helps calm the body and mind in a slightly different way than closed-eye meditation. We asked students to gaze at the jar and watch as the glitter slowly sank to the bottom of the jar. This way, you could clear your mind to prepare for yoga and to de-stress. ​

Each student prefered a different type of meditation, which is absolutely fine. When meditating, it is important to find what is right for you.

The glitter was suspended in water so as to have an increased soothing quality. 

Third, we presented about yoga and it's health benefits in both body, mind, and spirit. Cherie and Ms. Tice led this activity, demonstrating the tree pose, a balancing pose, warrior pose, and seated twists and stretches. 

We held a discussion afterwards about how the yoga and mindfulness activities had an effect on students. 

Next we introduced journaling, led by Katherine. Students were able to use the other side of their coloring page to jot down anything they were grateful for. 

"Don't reject anything," Katherine stated. "No idea is silly or mundane."

Students could list what they were grateful for, or draw it, which appeals to both writers and artists. 

"Gratitude journaling not only clears the mind but also keeps you grateful for what you have," she explained as students wrote or drew. 

At the end, students took a survey to provide feedback and suggestions on our session. And, whether they wanted another one. 

Because this session was such a success, we may be holding on in the future with a few more activities. Stay tuned! Thank you again to Mrs. Scott and Ms. Tice, and everyone else who participated!