Mindfulness in Schools
Education Setting Rationale

A rationale for offering qigong and tai chi and other mindfulness practices for students is both simple and multi-leveled.

To answer one only needs to ask how healthy do want our students and staff to be?

How rested? How centered and balanced? How calm? At what level do we want our students’ and staff’s bodies and brains to be at once energized and at rest?...the key of Mindfulness power. Are we looking for improved efficiency of thought and production? How high functioning, intuitive and mindful and well would we like to see our community? The questions and reasons can be many.   

Philosopher Lao-Tsu writes, simply,

Breath rests on our consciousness, or,
Where the mind goes, Qi (energy and breath) follows.

Essentially, students and staff practicing qigong and other mindfulness practices stay present with a calm focus, resulting in less stress and more brain potential available. The benefit is a clear mind with which to work without distraction on whatever task at hand.

Much of what is described in traditional medical systems as the “balance” of forces between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, or Yin and Yang in Chinese Medicine, describes the state between rest and action called dynamic equilibrium. This is a homeostasis between rest and action, the optimal state of mind with which to use our brains — for anything: Academics – learning and studying, lesson building, sports, community relationships, strategic planning, health maintenance. It can be seen, at once, as a tool to relax and sharpen our brains and a health modality because it is integrative medicine. A calm and energized nervous system can prepare a ready refreshed mindset for optimal learning and teaching, and allows for a vital, balanced and more naturally compassionate community. Those who practice qigong benefit by being able to do their work, do it to their potential, with more ease and clarity.

I am suggesting an ongoing build-as-you-go easy series of either or both qigong and tai chi for any of your school population as a piece of your wellness program for both faculty/staff and for students in varied ways to achieve.

Design –Population/Formats

1)    For Any/All Students

a.  Learning Difference/LD focus

b. Detention piece or in lieu of homework. *Active engagement of that time.

c.  After School practice: as a sport or optional piece of curriculum.

2)    For Any/All Staff

a. Midday Tune-up

b. After work practice

c. Workshop format  

3)  I can design different kinds of classes/workshops specific to your needs. It is easiest to meet around this and I can explain details and show you some method person. More active, more restful, with guided meditation or without, etc.

Please explore the many resources online.

Here are a just few links on general benefits, benefits in a school setting, and a paper discussing qigong benefits in the LD arena following this page.

http://www.chineng.be/images/docs/Onderzoek%20Qigong%20in%20school.pdf

http://www.sacredpathmedicine.com/qigong-exercise-helps-kids-reduce-stress/

http://www.inspiringenergy.com/qigong-and-tai-chi-articles-and-resources.html

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/diet-fitness/pain/articles/2010/11/26/for-health-benefits-try-tai-chi

Qigong and Tai Chi Provide Beneficial Effects in Students with Dyslexia improving phonological perception and resulting reading automaticity while decreasing correlative anxiety ©, Laura Thorpe, 2014 (available upon request.)