Mind Body Tools for Teaching

Classroom-based mindfulness techniques (skills) include breathing exercises, body postures and movements, games and activities, and relaxation techniques.

  • Breathing exercises provide us with a neutral point of focus for directing awareness. By purposefully breathing, we can excite or calm the central nervous system, reducing stress or lifting depression. Complete (slow, deliberate, full) breathing reduces stress, having a beneficial effect on every system in the body.
  • Simple body postures and movements integrate, soothe, and energize the body and mind by releasing tension and stress, activating coordination and awareness, and stimulating circulation. Mindful movement develops awareness, strength, flexibility, balance, coordination and focus.
  • Mindful games and activities release mental tension and explore physical challenges in a noncompetitive way that enhances fitness, teamwork skills, and creative thinking. Games are a great resource to have in any classroom. They can be used as warm-ups, rewards, energizers, organizers, or just plain fun.
  • Relaxation exercises bring the mind into the body. This slows down the nervous system, activating the relaxation response, a physical state of deep rest that changes the physical and emotional responses to stress.  These exercises can be done sitting up or lying down, in silence, or accompanied by a guided meditation script or music.