Second Semester of Mindfulness

Nofei Habsor, Western Negev, Israel

Second Semester of Mindfulness lessons has begun.

In meeting my new group of 9th graders, I discovered that 9 of them are those who participated during the First Semester!

Total enrollment of 21 pupils, even though I set a maximum of 15. The room has limitations and so does the harmony of a group. But 21 pupils were chosen out of many who wished to sign up. What’s a facilitator to do?

I know how this facilitator feels: gratitude for interest in what is being offered, appreciation that Nofei Habsor and Keren Karev (an educational fund that allows for informal education within the framework of regular school hours) are sponsoring these sessions, and humility that I may open some doors to cultivate more awareness of self in these teens.

We shall see as the lessons unfold and we delve into self-acceptance, mindful listening, mindful speaking and compassion. Many of the pupils have asked for calming down techniques, and these exhausted kids aren’t kidding.

May we be healthy, happy and live in peace.

birth of a butterfly, judih circa 2005

Class Relax with Parents and small children

sitting circle (mindful kids)

Class Relax has been offering workshops and morning mindfulness sessions in Nofei Habsor Junior High for many years. This continues to be a heaven-sent opportunity as students from special ed classes and regular classes, from the seventh grade to the ninth grade have been able to enjoy a few moments of mindfulness. Teachers have been able to close their eyes, pay attention to their own body breathing, and smile afterwards.

Now, Class Relax has diversified. We are now offering our second workshop for parents and their children in the first and second grades to experience mindfulness together.

What could be better than to foster a family mindfulness practice?

We work with warm-ups using qigong (like the Wonderful Waiter) and warming up the body’s qi. Then we learn simple breathing exercises like the Flower and the Candle. We experience mindful listening, mindful sensations, and mindful walking.

Then we mindfully create a puppet that will help us consider our experiences and how we feel.

Mindfulness and Puppetry – or as is called “Mindfulness is the Name of the Game!”. Together with my partner Dr. Inbal Cohen, we are offering approachable techniques to a young population which sorely requires the tools of mindfulness.

We’ve been through another round of rocketfire, and uncertainty as to when the next one will arrive. Tools of how to take a mindful pause, how to nourish our inner selves, are the very thing!

Look for us in the Eshkol Local Council.