Meditation Inspiration!
With hundreds of books referencing it, popular media throwing it around in conversation and actual phone apps popping up regularly that help introduce meditation practice into people’s lives, I think it’s safe to say we have all heard of meditation. But what does it really mean?
The act of meditating is the practice of relaxation, focus and awareness through a series of mental exercises, usually practiced with closed eyes, from a seated, still position.
Not only has practicing meditation proven to reduce stress and control anxiety, but also boasts the benefits of enhancing self-awareness, generating kindness and lengthening attention spans. The best part about this is that these benefits are not only applicable to adults, they can also apply to children.
You heard that right! If you’re like us, one of your first takeaways from that last paragraph is that meditation can help lengthen a child’s attention span. Don’t get us wrong, the other points are all incredibly important as well, but finding something that actually lengthens the attention span of a child? This is the holy grail of the teacher’s handbook. Something we all dream about and dedicate our lives to finding. Some of us may find ourselves closer than others, but for many: the coveted treasure eludes us, remaining in sight, but always just out of reach. Until Now.
We scoured the internet and collected 3 of our favourite, simple and FREE kid friendly meditative practices that you can use to incorporate meditation into your classroom (you’re welcome!).
- It’s all about that Breath
This breathing exercise is not only a great way to practice meditation, but it is also the perfect way to introduce meditation to new learners. A very simple activity that puts an emphasis on learning how to consciously breath, through mental imagery that includes imagining a boat rising and falling over waves, visualizing breathe having a colour and lastly pretending to be a fish breathing air for the first time. Learn more from meditation experts at the Meditation Channel, and watch their guided video for children, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvF9AEe-ozc
- Body Scan
We love this Body Scan meditation by Fablefy – The Whole Child. This short video is tailored especially for children in a classroom setting and takes them through a guided sequence of awareness activities with calming music in the background. It is the perfect way to introduce a bit of mindfulness into your classroom, in an efficient manner. Make sure you follow Fablefy on Youtube to catch more of their tips, and watch their full Body scan video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A0S54yAgEg
- Cosmic Yoga
Ok, we are actually OBSESSED with Cosmic Kids Yoga. They provide exciting, current ways to introduce and children to yoga. Believe it or not, Yoga is actually a form of meditation, and boasts many additional benefits. The video we’re sharing today is just one example of how Cosmic Kids Yoga creates engaging and fun ways for children to participate in yoga and mindfulness meditation. Make sure you subscribe to her channel, and join Jamie as she leads your class through an educational Yoga adventure based on the hit Disney movie Moana, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y3gCrL_XIM
Well, there you have it: 3 engaging videos to help you introduce meditation into your classroom in an effective, and totally free way. Let us know your thoughts on today’s blog? Have you tried introducing mindfulness and meditation into your classroom? We would love to know if any of these videos helped you!