In December children at Byron Wood learned the calming effects of yoga. With the Yoga4Schools Programme students, including those from the celebrated Fresh Start and Nurture units, practised calming exercises and breathing techniques.
Giddy children were soon calmed with yogic exercises. They stretched like animals, made bridges with their bodies and rubbed their tummies to bring about calm feelings. The impact on the group was very positive. Normally hyperactive children unable to express themselves were very calm and relaxed. On several occasions the children used the phrase “rub your tummy.” When asked about this they said:
“It helps you to calm down when you feel excited.”
“My favourite yoga action was when she told us to lay on the floor and told us a story about a starfish in the sea”
“I think the yoga lesson was fantastic because it makes you feel relaxed and it takes away your worries and it helps you when you’re stressed.”
“When I was doing yoga I was dreaming I was a starfish. I was feeling calm, flexible, sleepy and also strong. It was amazing, my best dream ever.”
“This is good for children who are 5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12, also for big people.”
“I think we should have yoga every morning before assembly. It’s really good to calm people down when they’re angry or have lots of things in mind.”