Dates/Times:  4 Zoom sessions on Mondays from 4:00 -5:00 p.m.   (January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, 2022) Mountain time. Check in 5 minutes prior to each session if possible.  Sessions will be recorded in case you have to miss one. Note: If the group of registrants decides during the course that it would like to have the last session pushed back a week, we will gladly make the change.

Course Description:

Covid has shifted our world dramatically and many of us, especially educators, have worked overtime using a seemingly endless amount of creativity, compassion, patience and then more creativity to provide not only an education for their students, but more importantly a stable and caring presence.  The job description of “teacher” continues to ask more and more of us.  And we do it because we love our profession and the children, and we know how essential our work is.  

But many of us can feel it wearing away at our health and our own stability.  The intensity of the job on an emotional and mental level has always taken an intense amount of energy, and now that has increased significantly.  And we cannot do this important work if we are running on fumes!   The kids who we teach and care for are feeling the stress as well.  

Many of us do not have the extra time or energy to do much more than survive.  Which is why this course may be right for you.  Many of our practices will be about HOW we do things, instead of adding another item to your to do list!  I do not aim to teach you the entirety of the field of mindfulness, but instead offer you simple and efficient practices to use before and after you teach, and while you teach, both for keeping yourself healthy and happy, and for demonstrating and teaching the tools directly to your students.  You and your class can embark on the process of inner well-being together, aiding your physical, emotional, mental and interpersonal health.  

Mindfulness, at its core, is the art of being present.  When we are present, we notice just this flow of time - just this moment. The mind can relax as it gets to only focus on this current experience.   All of our senses are tuned in to the scents, sights, smells, sounds and sensations of the physical earth around us.  We are purposefully paying attention and enjoying the act of being alive.  In this state the nervous system calms down, our brow may unfurrow, our jaws unclench and we relax.

In this course, we will explore a wide array of tools and approaches so you can easily layer these practices into your daily life, along with practicing a general sense of awareness and curiosity into your physiological state so that you may discover your own methods of keeping a calm nervous system.  By committing to your own practice, you’ll naturally be inspired to share it with your students, so alongside our own practice designed for adults (and educators specifically), we’ll explore the ways you can share it with the children you teach.   Much of this will be an invitation to lead the sweet, simple, calming practices (like breathing) with your class on a regular basis which has the dual benefit of calming your nervous system and settling your classroom as well.  

Research has proven that practicing Mindfulness - which can be simply defined as paying attention, on purpose - not only reduces our stress levels at the time, but has a lasting effect in your day to day life as well!  So come join us as we dive in, let out a big sigh, and practice fueling up!  

Instructor:  Jess Matthiae, Peaceful Heart Yoga

Registration fee:  $79/per person
4 OPI renewal units available
Event #22560005
If you have any questions, please contact director@wmplc.org