Mindfulness is happening in schools around the Twin Cities! Look at what’s happening in Rogers, MN! Rogers’ students use mindfulness techniques!
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/education/cool-in-school/2015/02/05/cool-school-rogers-hassan-mindful-schmitz/22789099/
ROGERS, Minn. -- "Good morning, Gentlemen!" Mary T. Schmitz hears a mumbled reply and asks the question again to get the enthusiastic response she's looking for. It's the beginning of the day for these students, who are rolling out yoga mats and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.
As a clinical social worker at Hassan Elementary in Rogers, Schmitz works with a variety of students, some who struggle with issues of attention and self-control.
Schmitz says she, too, was looking for some focus in her life when she decided to take a course on Mindfulness through the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing.
Soon into the course she thought, "We've gotta get this to the kids!"
Schmitz convinced her principal Heidi Adamson-Baer to let her give it a try. Before long, Adamson-Baer noticed results. "Reduction of stress, reduction of anxiety, increase of focus."
Schmitz deploys the concepts in a variety of ways. Some students are on yoga mats and engaging in a class of movement and mindfulness that might best be described as yoga minus the spirituality. Students focus on leaving their "lava" behind. Lava would be the baggage people might bring with them to school or work. Letting go of anger, worries and stress would be the focus here.
Other students, perhaps those preparing for state-mandated testing, might do breathing exercises, a body-scan for stress points or meditate to focus their minds on learning.
Schmitz is training other staff so they can help students who might be struggling with focus. Many take part in classes right along with the students. Schmitz is now traveling to other schools in the Elk Rivers School District to bring mindfulness techniques there as well.
"We get out of the rush hour," said Schmitz. "We get out of the traffic, and we come in here and settle and now they can transition. Their experiences shift. They're ready for their day."
Try it out for yourself this week! The results? Reduction of stress, reduction of anxiety and increase of focus!
Let me know how you practice mindfulness and how I could support you!
http://www.kare11.com/story/news/education/cool-in-school/2015/02/05/cool-school-rogers-hassan-mindful-schmitz/22789099/
ROGERS, Minn. -- "Good morning, Gentlemen!" Mary T. Schmitz hears a mumbled reply and asks the question again to get the enthusiastic response she's looking for. It's the beginning of the day for these students, who are rolling out yoga mats and rubbing the sleep out of their eyes.
As a clinical social worker at Hassan Elementary in Rogers, Schmitz works with a variety of students, some who struggle with issues of attention and self-control.
Schmitz says she, too, was looking for some focus in her life when she decided to take a course on Mindfulness through the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing.
Soon into the course she thought, "We've gotta get this to the kids!"
Schmitz convinced her principal Heidi Adamson-Baer to let her give it a try. Before long, Adamson-Baer noticed results. "Reduction of stress, reduction of anxiety, increase of focus."
Schmitz deploys the concepts in a variety of ways. Some students are on yoga mats and engaging in a class of movement and mindfulness that might best be described as yoga minus the spirituality. Students focus on leaving their "lava" behind. Lava would be the baggage people might bring with them to school or work. Letting go of anger, worries and stress would be the focus here.
Other students, perhaps those preparing for state-mandated testing, might do breathing exercises, a body-scan for stress points or meditate to focus their minds on learning.
Schmitz is training other staff so they can help students who might be struggling with focus. Many take part in classes right along with the students. Schmitz is now traveling to other schools in the Elk Rivers School District to bring mindfulness techniques there as well.
"We get out of the rush hour," said Schmitz. "We get out of the traffic, and we come in here and settle and now they can transition. Their experiences shift. They're ready for their day."
Try it out for yourself this week! The results? Reduction of stress, reduction of anxiety and increase of focus!
Let me know how you practice mindfulness and how I could support you!
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