Introduction to Mindfulness
Throughout these weeks, students will be introduced to, learn, and begin to practice the foundational methods and concepts of mindfulness. Students will begin to practice and understand the benefits of positive affirmations, yoga, breathing exercises, and meditations.
Before you begin...
Week 1
Positive Affirmation: I will be present in every moment.
Breathing Activity: Deep Breathing
Guided Meditation: How to Meditate
Yoga Pose: Child's Pose
Activity: Read aloud: I am Peace
Week 2
Positive Affirmation: I will think positive thoughts.
Breathing Activity: Mountain Breath
Guided Meditation: Mindfulness Meditation
Yoga Pose: Cobra Pose
Activity: Sing: Be Mindful by Jack Hartmann
Week 3
Positive Affirmation: I am mindful to the feelings of others.
Breathing Activity: Question Breath
Guided Meditation: Being Present
Yoga Pose: Downward Dog
Activity: Read aloud:Listening toMy Body written by Gabi Garcia
Week 4
Positive Affirmation:My positive thoughts create positive feelings.
Breathing Activity: Listen!
Guided Meditation: Flashlight Meditation
Yoga Pose: Warrior 1
Activity: Shell Painting
In depth...
Week 1
Breathing exercise: Deep Breathing: As you breathe in through your nose, you will expand your belly, then your rib cage, and finally your chest as your lungs fill with air. As you breathe out your nose, you will feel the air moving out through your belly, rib cage, chest, and then your nose. I will repeat the phrase, “Breathe in, one, two, three, hold. Breathe out, three, two, one, hold.” (Do this several times) Notice how you feel.
Week 2
Breathing Exercise: Mountain Breath: Breathe in and out while keeping your body still like a mountain.
Week 3
Week 3: Question Breath: As you breathe in, ask yourself how you are feeling. As you breathe out, answer.
Week 4
Breathing exercise: Listen: Take a long breath in, and let it all the way out. Hold your body still. Listen. What do you hear? What sounds are around you? Take a long breath in, and let it all the way out.
Activity: Shell Painting
Supplies needed: Shells, paint, paint brushes
All painting helps to bring your attention into the present moment, but painting shells just adds a little extra magic to the activity!
Getting Started: Set up a space so you have everything your students might need to paint, including paint brushes, paint, shells, water to clean their brush, paper towel or cloth for spills.
Let your students paint the shells. You may want to model how to gently follow the lines and patterns on the shells.