Mindfulness at Shore
Imagine walking into your first class of the day to the gentle gong of a Tibetan bowl. You place your yoga mat on the floor and sit for a few minutes in silent meditation. Not a bad way to start your day!
For the eighth grade students at Shore, this is how they begin the trimester course, "Health and Mindfulness." Each morning class begins with a short meditation, a series of basic yoga stretches, and a lesson on one of the topics of mindfulness.
For the eighth grade students at Shore, this is how they begin the trimester course, "Health and Mindfulness." Each morning class begins with a short meditation, a series of basic yoga stretches, and a lesson on one of the topics of mindfulness.
Most of our eighth graders have never heard of mindfulness, and they enter the course with a healthy mix of curiosity and skepticism. As their teacher and a practitioner of mindfulness myself, I understand the intangible nature of staying present in each moment – especially for an adolescent!
“This is one of the simplest and most difficult things you can do as a human being,” I tell them. Thus begins their introduction to understanding how practicing mindfulness can help them reduce stress, increase awareness, and improve performance, but more importantly, cultivate self-compassion, kindness, and gratitude. This course gives them the beginner’s toolkit.
“This is one of the simplest and most difficult things you can do as a human being,” I tell them. Thus begins their introduction to understanding how practicing mindfulness can help them reduce stress, increase awareness, and improve performance, but more importantly, cultivate self-compassion, kindness, and gratitude. This course gives them the beginner’s toolkit.
Initially, many of the students see quiet meditation as an opportunity to “check out” and relax. While relaxation is a pleasant byproduct of meditation, I remind them that mindfulness is about being alert, and becoming more aware of each moment of their experience. Finding out that really nothing more than an open and curious mind is required of them in this class, the students feel the freedom to explore the topic at their own pace, but they also begin to appreciate that the more they incorporate these strategies, the more benefits they will find in their daily lives.
Whether examining how the brain is wired, understanding the concept of forming habits, reflecting on “reacting vs. responding,” or learning to minimize self-criticism and value self-acceptance, these students are given tools that I wish had been a part of my middle school experience.
Whether examining how the brain is wired, understanding the concept of forming habits, reflecting on “reacting vs. responding,” or learning to minimize self-criticism and value self-acceptance, these students are given tools that I wish had been a part of my middle school experience.
In our efforts to nurture the whole child at Shore, I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to plant the seeds for these 8th graders and empower them with the tools to begin their own practice of life-long wellbeing.
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.