It’s been over a month of zoom mindfulness sessions with pupils of Nofei Habsor here in the Western Negev of Israel and what have I discovered?
One – If I, the teacher, love and am grateful for the opportunity to teach mindfulness, it translates well over zoom. The fact that there is budgetary allowance for these lessons, and that I started to teach even before it was officially okay, also adds to the authenticity of the need for these lessons. The fact that I was able to bring sincere enthusiasm to my pupils is something they’ve responded to.
Two – pupils ask for what they need. I am asked for specific exercises, showing me that the kids know what helps them these days. “When will we do guided meditation?”
“I love the music you played at the beginning of the lesson, it calmed me.” “I am doing the five-breath meditation and like doing it with you or the clip you sent us.” They are sharing from the heart, without coercion!
Three – Pupils are observing themselves. After the 5-breath meditation we do together, we all look within to discover if there have been any noticeable changes. Many have been noticing an altered state of being – either more energized or more relaxed or sometimes feeling a temptation to sleep. “Good”, I can respond. “We see that the same exercise offers different results to different people and to ourselves depending on our personal situation when we practice it. Remember that the best time to practice is daily and when a time comes when you feel you need to detach and focus within, you’ll remember how to do the exercise.”
Four – Using the technique of smiling. Smiling at the end of an exercise serves to activate the facial muscles, and then relaxing them and smiling again (like a maniac I say) to come back to a complete relax is enough to alter the physical and emotional mood. Smiling is something you can do, even if we don’t feel like doing so, yet the body responds to the feel good gesture.
Five – Exhaling! Exhaling is first aid. I tell them that I write my name with an ‘h’ at the end – Judih= so that upon being asked my name I can exhale – something that immediately relaxes me. I then suggest that we can all use this technique to relax. I tell them that upon the count of 3, we’ll all exhale together through the mouth or the nose, whatever they choose. Open invitation – even now you who are reading this: “Let’s all do it: 1 – 2 – 3 – exhale. Notice that fresh air comes in automatically, you don’t have to do a thing. One more time, all of us! 1 – 2 – 3 – exhale! And fresh air comes in and we can sit for a moment and allow our breathing to come back to its regular rhythm.” First aid for when things are tough – too many thoughts in our head, or too many distractions, or nervousness before a test, or an overwhelming situation. First aid for treatment on the spot: feel the sensations of the body wherever it is situated and then exhale.
Six – In teaching I need to diversify sensory impressions and experience of the self. Music, breathing, knowledge about what mindfulness is and how it changes our brain – all these things make lessons fun. Each pupil responds to a different form of input, may we never forget all those years of studying Learning Styles! I receive much feedback after lessons, and some kids are stating via questionnaires that they look forward to the lessons, that the lessons are fun. This is valuable feedback.
Seven – I’ve been blessed with a personal battery recharger. I love meeting the pupils from the seventh grade classes and returning pupils of the 8th and 9th grades who have chosen to learn mindfulness. For me it’s energizing to present the exercises of mindfulness as well as being a constant challenge to offer a diversity of experiences to intrigue the human beings sitting on the other side of the screen. Love is something that transfers over the net.
Eight – Lest we forget: gratitude for Zoom. Gratitude for the internet connection (never taken for granted). Gratitude to the school scaffolding to support this online learning.
This online teaching is continually offering new challenges which help me grow in my own practice. I’ve discovered that teaching mindfulness online offers an energizing and uplifting opportunity to those pupils who are open to it, and most definitely to me.
Class Relax is ready for more!
I offer this invitation: Would you or your school like a guest teacher? Be in touch via the comments.
Judih
Class Relax 
November 22, 2020 at 10:52 am
In a system aimed at bagrut results, it’s wonderful to hear these reactions from students.
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