Personal and Educational
Mindfulness |
WHAT IS
MINDFULNESS " Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. |
TYPES OF MINDFULNESS
PRACTICES |
While mindfulness is innate, it can be cultivated through proven techniques. Here are some examples:
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MINDFULNESS IN
EDUCATION
EDUCATION
The tack you’ll want to take with older students (those in junior high and high school) — rather than focusing on being silly and having fun for younger students, they may appreciate a simple break from the grind
and some good information on how mindfulness can help them.
and some good information on how mindfulness can help them.
Beginning ClassStart with a quick exercise that’s simple yet effective, like beginning class with a mindful moment.
Here are the instructions from Sarah Beach at Left Brain Buddha:
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Check in with your AttentionIn this exercise, you (the teacher) will keep control of the schedule and you can introduce it when you see fit. You can have students practice this exercise at any point in the class, even during the middle of a lesson if you think students really need it.
To implement it, all you need to do is stop whatever the class is doing and tell the students to hit pause and check in with their attention. Ask them:
Encourage them to take a moment to notice what their mind is doing and remind them that they have a choice about where to direct their attention. |
Ending with a Mindful MomentTo bookend your mindfulness lesson (or your class in general), try this exercise. It’s a good way to give “closure” to the lesson in a way that is likely more mindful, calm, and peaceful way than usual!
Here’s what you do:
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