Why Mindfulness Now? Since early 2020, educators have been met with unprecedented levels of trauma and stress as communities struggle to cope with Covid-19 and our country’s reckoning with systemic racism and inequity. Trauma has a serious emotional and physical impact on our bodies, our moods, our decision making capacity, and our sense of safety and well-being. The practice of Mindfulness allows us to disrupt the physiological impact of stress by deactivating the amygdala part of our brain in favor of bringing our prefrontal cortex back online. Accessing our prefrontal cortex, we are better equipped to empathize with self and others, communicate effectively, embrace adversity, and model resilience. Mindfulness helps us access “our best selves”, even in the most stressful times. Mindfulness involves a set of skills that people can learn with the help of expert facilitators and practice.
Program Overview
The 6-week program consists of 60-minute virtual meetings, once a week (bi-weekly if needed). This program is designed to teach people mindfulness tools through experiential learning and practice. In addition to practicing techniques, the sessions will include a selection of didactic pieces, for example: Defining Mindfulness; Neuroscience & Research on Mindfulness; Managing Emotions; Response vs. Reaction & the Power of the Pause; The Breath as Anchor & Touchpoint; Connection to Others/Empathy; Mindful Eating & Mindful Walking— Using Everyday Activities to Be Present; Mindfulness in Conversation; Gratitude & Appreciation for Self/Others.
Each session will have three parts:
Didactic element on neuroscience and physical/mental well-being, including some physical exercises from the Brain Gym method.
Emotional well-being check-in with a partner with possible whole-group debrief
Guided meditation or relaxation technique practice
We will also suggest ways to keep the practice going, possibly with a buddy check-in.
Expected Benefits
Increased sense of calm + decreased stress and anxiety
Improved impulse control and increased self-awareness
More skillful responses to difficult emotions
Increased empathy and understanding of others
Strengthened focus and concentration abilities
This program can be offered virtually. Our virtual programming is delivered through Zoom and includes:
An expert IE facilitator, trained for virtual program delivery
A comprehensive slide deck developed for the virtual context
Opportunities for whole group, small group, and 1-on-1 discussion
Option for IE tech host to facilitate smooth implementation
“This was an awesome experience. I felt calm and more compassionate about myself. I learned how to deal with extreme feelings or moments of being overwhelmed. ”
“This program helped me learn strategies to cope with the difficult school year! ”
“I really needed this because I have been depressed and overwhelmed at work. It has given me a new grounding to return to in the classroom when I am feeling overwhelmed and given me practical actions to actually increase wellbeing.”
