Students come to school with day-to-day stress from their environment, chronic stress, and even traumatic and post-traumatic stress. How can we expect our students to learn without first helping them to manage their stress? The centuries-old techniques of physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation are known to reduce tension, relax and focus the mind, and energize the body – remember
the ABC’s: Action, Breathing, Centering. Dynamic Mindfulness works by incorporating these three components in unison: moving with full attention on the present experience while using the breath to calm the nervous system. The purpose of teaching Dynamic Mindfulness in schools is to provide students with ways to manage their stress, to find a sense of safety in their own bodies, and to take positive action to change their emotional and mental states. Dynamic Mindfulness covers the five core competencies of Social and Emotional Learning: self-management, self-awareness, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness. Young people need these tools in order to engage in school, learn, and have positive relationships.
