Why Yoga and Mindfulness in Primary Schools
The health and wellbeing of children and their teachers is a growing concern. Stress and anxiety amongst children are the highest they have ever been.
COVID has exacerbated this already growing problem that is being felt throughout the education system and the world.
In support of developing the Whole Child, The Karma Class empowers educators and teachers to create mindfulness in the classroom through the daily infusion of yoga, breath and mindfulness.
The health and wellbeing of children and their teachers is a growing concern.
"Graduate teachers hail A Karma Classroom workshop as one of the best professional development experiences of their career."
The mental and physical wellbeing of primary school students is declining at an alarming rate.
Even more concerning is the rise in anxiety and depression - historically seen in adolescents and adults - becoming more prevalent in younger children.
Our children aren't just suffering psychologically, but also physically. Poor posture and inactivity are at epidemic proportions, exacerbated by the ever-increasing use of devices and long hours hunched over screens.
It's not just our primary school children who are suffering; our primary school teachers are too. Burnout rates are at record-breaking highs, with a staggering 50% of educators leaving the profession within the first 5 years.
As a result, this continuing problem is putting an enormous strain on an already fragile education system.
The Karma Class offers NESA Approved Professional Development for teachers, Kids Yoga Classes and Online Yoga for families at home.
We empower educators and teachers to create calm, kind and compassionate classrooms and provide innovative yoga and mindfulness based extracurricular classes that nourish the whole child.
Challeges Facing Primary Schools Today
Physical Development
Spinal defects due to poor posture
are common.
Teachers Leaving
Teachers leaving the profession within the first 5 years.
Behaviour Management
Behaviour in the classroom. Playground and bullying incidents.
Resource Strain
Significant resource strain due to increasing teacher workloads.
Parents Anxiety
Managing increasing parental concerns and anxiety.
Teacher Burnout
Teacher burnout from excessive stress.
The impact of stress and anxiety on children and their teachers cannot be underestimated
AND early intervention is key if we are to make a difference
What the statistics say
81% Principals have difficulties in attracting and recruiting staff, with staff turnover the highest it's ever been.
57% of early years professionals say they suffer from anxiety as a result of work.
26% Early Learning Educators experience depression.
50% Australian teachers suffer from anxiety .
20% suffer from depression .
50% of Australian teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years .
90% School Principals say anxiety in students is placing a major time and resource burden on schools.
50% of teachers say they are dealing with parent stress in addition to the usual parent demands.
33% Students report they find it difficult to learn due to noise and disorder in almost every class.
14% of 4-17 y/o suffer from mental health disorders.
25% Australian children and adolescents aged 2–17 are overweight or obese.
87% of parents agree that their child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.
41% of parents believe the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental wellbeing of their children.
References: A large body of proven science and health research is available on request. For more information reach out to The Karma Class
**Benefits of Yoga in Schools
Research shows that yoga for children is an excellent modality to introduce kids to their bodies and breath, as well as provide tools for building resilience, reducing anxiety and creating calm. Yoga, Breath, and Mindfulness for primary school students contribute to the development of the whole child by supporting and maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Yoga and mindfulness in schools develop a mind-body connection while encouraging better posture and deeper self-awareness.
Our Solution
Our integrated approach to mental and physical wellbeing
To counteract the growth in both teacher and student anxiety, and to support the development of the whole child, The Karma Class has developed innovative and evidence-based health and wellbeing programs and products specially designed for primary teachers and students.
Our professional development courses empower teachers to easily integrate mindful movement, breath and mindfulness experiences into every school day to ensure that students, teachers AND the entire school community thrives.
The yoga taught by The Karma Class is secular in nature and does not align to any religious or spiritual beliefs and practices.
How yoga and mindfulness can help in today's primary schools
A growing body of scientific research shows that teachers, students and the whole school community thrive when Yoga and Mindfulness are introduced into the school curriculum.
Introducing yoga-based practices that include conscious breathing, mindful movement, self /group reflection and community building exercises go a long way in contributing directly to the development of the WHOLE child.
Creating calm - Watch the short video and listen to how quiet the kids are!
How The Karma Class help primary schools
Physical Health & Wellbeing
Health and wellness programs specially designed for primary schools
Whole Child Development
Educate teachers with calm classroom techniques that support whole child development
Teacher Wellbeing
Support teachers to manage their own stress and wellbeing and avoid burnout
Posture, Strength & Flexibilty
Helps students thrive by cultivating strength, flexibility and good posture
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Lead the way in helping children manage stress and anxiety
Classroom & School Culture
Support staff in cultivating mindfulness in schools that values compassion, co-operation and kindness
- Innovative evidence-based classroom management professional development for teachers.
- NESA approved and APST referenced.
- Endorsed by Be You.
- Understand how short intervals of Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness reduce teacher stress, anxiety and burnout.
- Practical, and easy-to-use tools to weave Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness into every day to support the development of the whole child.
- Tools to manage behavioural issues and anxiety.
- Encourages a calm classroom climate that inspires learning, builds resilience and cultivates compassion.
How teacher professional development empowers educators
Our professional development course for teachers, A Karma Classroom, is an experiential training that gives teachers tools to easily weave Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness into every day.
The course will help teachers to support a calm classroom environment that inspires learning, builds resilience and cultivates compassion. It is not about training teachers to teach yoga classes; our own kids yoga teachers come into schools to deliver kids yoga classes.
Course Highlights
- Practical, experiential and a great team builder
- Supports the school curriculum and is complimentary, requiring just minutes a day to achieve results.
- Supports teacher health and wellbeing offering tools to reduce stress and minimise burnout
- Participants receives a comprehensive manual and set of Karma Classroom Activity Cards
- Practical tools to easily weave Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness into every day using the Karma Classroom Cards
- Flexible delivery (1x 5 hour or 2x 2.5 hour twilight sessions)
What other teachers are saying
"Really practical; your depth of experience is evident. Your flexibility re: delivery is refreshing. Thank you so much. I look forward to getting started!"
Vanessa Bain, Merimbula Public School
"The most engaging, informative and enjoyable course I have been on in my teaching career."
Georgea Cross, Double Bay Public School
“The content that I will take back and share is huge - what a great tool to teach young children, that can stay with them as they grow.“
Corrie Shepherd, Tathra Preschool
Why Work with Us
The Karma Class brings more than just yoga to children, teachers, schools, early learning centres and families.
Through our evidence-based workshops, kids yoga classes and innovative products, we offer children and teachers holistic experiences that combine the benefits of mindful movement, breathing and mindfulness to support optimal mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Children learn about their strong bodies and develop tools to self soothe and build resilience while becoming compassionate citizens of the calm classroom, their community, and the world at large. This health and wellbeing toolbox helps them to navigate the rocky roads of life with greater ease and less anxiety.
Teachers learn ways to create calm classrooms with easy to use techniques that require just minutes a day. They can teach more effectively as they are able to engage students with fewer disruptions which in turn reduces their own stress and helps minimise teacher burnout.
“The most important teachings we as teachers offer transcend academic skills and the acquisition of knowledge. Before teaching content, we must create a learning environment conducive to education.” Meena Srinivasan
If you are a School or Early Learning leader, Teacher or Parent looking for more information, please get in touch.