Bring Mindfulness
To The Classroom
“We ask students to pay attention all day,
yet we never teach them HOW” (Dr. Amy Saltzman)
8 Week Mindfulness Programme for Schools
Based on the latest research and techniques
Established in 2012, this highly -evaluated attention training programme, designed by a registered teacher, complies with the objectives of the Curriculum for personal development, including a focus on social and emotional development, personal self-regulation and building resilience- qualities recognised as benchmarks for success in life.
The course is based on the successful programme Mindful NZ Schools has been running the past four years as well as latest research and techniques on teaching mindfulness designed by the original MBSR members
who trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Each week we look closely at emotions, thinking, impulse control, liking and disliking, inter-connectivity as well as doing regular Mindfulness practices; breathing, listening, body scanning and other activities.
Research shows that an 8 week period is sufficient time to internalise the Mindfulness practices.
In the Mindfulness classes we learn how to pay attention using fun and easy to follow exercises that students of all ages can understand and enjoy. The classes are approximately 45 minutes
Some of the common results from regular Mindfulness practice are:
• decreased stress and anxiety
• improved attention and focus
• increased emotional resilience
• responding instead of react
• improved relationships with self and others
• improved sleep quality
How Can Mindfulness Help?
Studies have shown that social behaviour and academic achievement increase significantly among students who have received Mindfulness instruction. Mindfulness has been proven to help children make sense of their emotions and the world around them.
Ongoing research into Mindfulness points to the need for all students to receive some form of mental training to fulfil their educational and personal potential.
Developing a Culture of Kindness
In our fast paced world, where the increasing demands of living places enormous stress on all people, children, teenagers and adults, the purposeful, daily cultivation of connection to self, others and the world around us has been proven to assist mental, emotional and physical balance.
Mindfulness is not just some trend, but a proven method to help increase focus and awareness, make it possible to self-regulate and shift attention when caught up in negative thinking and worrying. Mindfulness exercises are designed to train our awareness and the ability to stay calm under stress and turbulence as well as having better sleep and increasing resilience.
Harvard, Oxford and Stanford Universities offer Mindfulness courses. So do many successful companies such as Google and Intel.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
The course is held by Rita Riccola She is a registered NZ teacher and has been a Meditation and yoga practitioner for 25 years. She has completed courses with Mindful Schools USA. More recently she has been training teachers at Diocesan and Dilworth Junior College in Mindfulness to assist them in their effort to take the practices to their students.
MAKE AN ENQUIRY ABOUT THE 8 WEEK PROGRAMME
What Students Say:
‘The reason I feel great is because it’s (breathing, body scan) relaxing and calm.’ William, Dilworth Junior
‘The body scan felt relaxing and calm which took all the anger away. Tevita Dilworth Junior
‘I think Mindfulness is helpful because if I feel angry or stressed I can use mindfulness to calm me’. Samuel Dilworth Junior
‘I got mad at my sister taking my stuff & wanted to hit her but stopped and took a breath (pause) and thought to myself — It isn’t worth it’. Melvin, Tangaroa College
‘When I am trying to get to sleep I use the body scan. It really works!’ Hugo, James Cook High
NON RELIGIOUS
There is no religion, dogma or beliefs attached to Mindfulness. Mindfulness has it’s roots in many contemplative practices but doesn’t require or impose on anyones belief systems. It’s a mental activity that has proven to be of great benefit for maintaining physical, mental and emotional balance.
Evidence Based
The many benefits of Mindfulness have been well documented especially in the past 30 years since Jon Kabat-Zinn established the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme that has led to the wide-spread, evidence based research and the acceptance of these non-religious, practical exercises anyone can do.
MINDFULNESS FOR EVERYONE
Mindfulness practice doesn’t require any preparation or beforehand knowledge about meditation. Anyone can experience the effect from these simple exercises.