11/13/13
We worked together today to encourage self-calm and self-regulation! We did:
Breathing
Cat Breath
Alternate Nostril Breathing (Pinch Your Nose Breath)
Flower Breath
Stretch and Strengthen
Armadillos – have armor and know boundaries, can ROLL LIKE A BALL to protect themselves
Coyotes – are tricksters and fool themselves – unlike coyotes, we can learn from our mistakes – strengthen w/ COYOTE and PLANK
Relax
Sip Lemon Juice w/ Toes or Squeeze Toothpaste through Your Body (your body is the tube)—SQUEEZE and RELEASE tension that builds in your body when you have icky feelings—It’s okay to have icky feelings we just have to move them out of us in a okay way
10 seconds of quiet
11/20/13
Breathing
cat, flower, and alternate nostril breathing
Hoberman Sphere Breathing
Stretch and Strengthen
Review cat, armadillo and coyote
Elk – strength and stamina, HEROES go the distance
Bear – power of introspection, go to your "cave," quiet time helps us discover answers to the questions inside of us
Relax
practice squeeze & release
witchita doo ya song
20 seconds
12/18/13
Breathing
We reviewed breathing strategies we know!
Stretch and Strengthen
We read Mooseltoe by Margie Palanti -- We practice Tree Posture and
Moose – This animal, according to Native American lore, is confident and knows when to be assertive and when to flow -- Moose is a kind of deer! We practiced Warrior 1 Posture for this animal (like our previous "Elk").
People hold stress in their faces, shoulders, chicken cheeks . . . we practiced the Gingerbread Man Cookie minute to win it game to loosen the muscles and release tension in our faces.
Relax
A Handful of Quiet Meditation -- 4 pebbles
30 seconds of quiet
1/8/14
Breathing
We reviewed breathing strategies we know! flower, alternate nostril breathing (pinch your nose breath) and cat breath
Stretch and Strengthen
We practiced stretching and strengthening in a chair. Things we can do in the classroom! shoulder roll, elbow circles, arm reach, leg lifts, foot flaps, ankle rotation, massage, knee squeeze, folded pose, strut, ankle strengtheners, tip toe balance
Relax
Sitting Still Like a Frog by Eline Snel
1/15/14
Breathing
Choo Choo
Stretch and Strengthen
Share The Legend of the Schmooney
Bunny Breath
Deer -- Warrior 1
Raccoon Mudra
Bear -- "Dinosaur" -- fold and hold ankles with hands and walk, may bend knees
Relax
Create "Chinese Knots" with hidden personal strengths inside
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEVoDM5lank&feature=youtu.be
1/21/14
Breathing
"When the going gets tough, the tough get BREATHING!"
We used cards to illustrate tough situations: someone making fun of your artwork, folks not sharing--hoarding toys, folks not welcoming others, someone changing the game plan when you agree to play a certain way, etc.
After each tough situation, we practiced a breathing technique so we can (1) think something through in a better way (2) be more ready to use our words
Darth Vader Breathing
Choo Choo Breath
Flower Breath
Bubble Breath
Pinwheel Breath
Cat Breath
Frog Breath
A Handful of Quiet -- Breathe STRONG
Hoberman Sphere
Pinch Your Nose Breath
Everyone shares one way to breathe and says "When the going gets tough, the tough get BREATHING!"
Bubbles and Pinwheels for Souvenirs