Let’s get our bodies moving by doing some yoga.
That was the start of Room 15’s journey into yoga.
Through exploring the internet, Mrs Berger was able to select an online platform that was both suitable to this age group and one that was hopefully going to get their attention and encourage their participation in something new and potentially physically challenging for them.
It worked! From the very first few minutes, I observed the student in Room 15 closely watching and following the yoga instructor as they started to learn their first yoga poses. From the look of their excited faces, I could tell that these students were hooked. We started off easily, learning simple poses like our namaste starting position and the Cat-Cow.
Bending makes my knees feel good.
I like shark pose because you put your arms at the back and it's a good stretch.
As the students' skills increased we learned more complex poses, like the Downward Dog and Tree Pose.
Boat pose is hard but I am getting better at it.
Tree pose is my favourite, you have to balance on one leg, it's a bit tricky.
My tummy and arms get stretched when I do bridge pose.
Through participating in classroom yoga the students of Room 15 benefited in numerous ways. Their physical health improved by enhancing flexibility, strength, balance and coordination. It helped them expend energy on rainy days, stay active, and maintain physical fitness, which is crucial for overall health and crosscountry preparation.
As I had already witnessed, rainy days, especially for younger learners, can lead to feelings of restlessness. I noticed that after yoga Room 15 students' ability to focus and pay attention has improved.
Overtime, students have come to eagerly anticipate these yoga sessions, rain or shine. What began as a practical solution has now become a favoured routine for Room 15 students.
Overall, yoga offers Room 15 students a holistic approach to education that addresses their physical, mental, and social development needs while aligning with aspects of the New Zealand curriculum such as physical health and mental well being.
Our next step is to incorporate yoga into our everyday classroom routine.
When a student comes to school they arrive with an innate curiosity to discover and learn. The joy of teaching is to start students on that journey. As a primary trained teacher with years of experience in early childhood, the classroom is filled with creative activities for young learners to explore, ask questions, and develop a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Time spent outdoors, whether exploring with my dog or enjoying adventures with my family, allows for personal mindfulness and self re energising. Being outside and amongst nature is a way of exercising and enjoying what is on offer in the local area of Taupo.
Just as my own children grow through encouragement and support, the classroom is a space where each student is guided to take risks, develop independence, and celebrate their successes.
Early morning morning starts and late night baking are a part of my family as my own children compete at a competitive level. The sense of pride felt when they achieve and complete their goals fills my bucket.
Coming to school each day has allowed me to extend myself, working alongside others within my team and across the school.
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