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1.28.2015

Focused Mind and Body Before Eating


Have you ever tried to calm your mind before eating or training so you can focus better on being present with the activity at hand? Consider trying out some of these "focused-attention practices" and let us know how it goes.



"A focused-attention practice is a brain exercise for quieting the thousands of thoughts that distract and frustrate us each day. When the mind is quiet and focused, we are able to be present with a specific sound, sight, or taste. Research repeatedly shows that quieting our minds ignites our parasympathetic nervous system, reducing heart rate and blood pressure while enhancing our coping strategies to effectively handle the day-to-day challenges that keep coming. Our thinking improves and our emotions begin to regulate so that we can approach an experience with variable options."

For the following practices, the goal is to start with 60 to 90 seconds and build to five minutes:

1. Breathing

Use the breath as a focus point. Have students place one hand close to their nose (not touching) and one hand on their belly. As they breathe in, have them feel their bellies expand. As they exhale, they can feel the warm air hit their hand. Students will focus on this breath for only one minute. Let them know that it's OK when thoughts sometimes come into the mind uninvited. Tell them to exhale that thought away.

2. Colors

Visualize colors while focusing on the breath. Inhale a deep green, and exhale a smoky gray. Have the students imagine the colors as swirling and alive with each inhale. If a student is de-escalating from an angry moment, the color red is a great color to exhale.

3. Movement

For younger children, direct students to stand and, as they inhale, lift an arm or leg and wiggle it, exhaling it back to its original position. For younger grades beginning these focused-attention practices, it's good to include an inhale and exhale with any type of movement.

4. The Deep-Dive Breath

We inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale slowly for four counts. You can increase the holding of breath by a few seconds once the students find the rhythm of the exercise.

5. Energizing Breath

We pant like a dog with our mouths open and our tongues out for 30 seconds, continuing for another 30 seconds with our mouths closed as we take short belly breaths with one hand on the belly. We typically take three energizing pant breaths per second. After a full minute, the students return to four regular deep inhales and exhales.

6. Sound

The use of sound is very powerful for engaging a calm response. In the three classrooms where I teach, we use rain sticks, bells, chimes, and music. There are many websites that provide music for focus, relaxation and visualization. Here is one of my favorites.

7. Rise and Fall

As we breathe in and out through our noses, we can lie on the floor and place an object on our stomachs, enhancing our focus by watching the rising and falling of our bellies.
When we are focused and paying attention to our thoughts, feelings and choices, we have a much greater opportunity to change those thoughts and feelings that are not serving us well in life and in school. When we grasp this awareness, we see and feel the difference!
How do you stimulate or quiet your students? Dr. Lori Desautels


Energy and Calm: Brain Breaks and Focused-Attention Practices via Edutopia http://ow.ly/I2e6J
  •  Anxiety in Children
Treatment plan should include: 
Slowing down the child's thinking...training child to become more body-aware, reading one's own low level cues, as he/she ramps up their irrational fear/worry/or panic. Relaxation techniques and guided meditation are very helpful. Small goals (e.g. exiting car faster upon school arrival). Written planning for the day or week.  Worksheets provided upon request.

  • Sexting/Texting/Digital Infidelity
  •  Suicide Survivor Resources





"Playing not to lose will get you beat."


1.09.2015

"Love isn't just a feeling, it's a decision. Decide to love."
Michele Weiner-Davis

 

1.01.2015

Book Recommendation for Moms of Sons...


I saw this book over the holidays. It's beautiful! The words are great...simple...but, what's better is the multi-languages. 
For each English verse, the same verse is written in an alternate language. Really special!



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