There’s really no one “right” way to practice mindful teaching. It’s about adopting a holistic approach that helps teachers stay present in everything they do, which benefits both them and their students.
In my experience as a sports coach and teacher of middle school, high school, and adults, mindfulness is a skill that requires practice. Why is it so important to be present and activate all our senses? Because sometimes our bodies know better than we do.
Let me give you two examples. The first is from sports: my players sometimes don’t know how they performed so well on the field, but I do. They were in a mental flow state where their bodies executed previously learned patterns, and their intuition led the way. The second example comes from my personal hobby: pub quizzes. Often, I’d try too hard to remember an answer, knowing I had known it in the past. But the harder I tried, the further the answer seemed to drift from my consciousness. However, when I took a deep breath and let my mind and body work together, I’d surprise myself by recalling the answer!
I often tell my players and students: “Think, but don’t think TOO MUCH.” It sounds paradoxical, but it really isn’t. We should let our intuition work, but we can only achieve that with consistent effort. So, the next time you need to think about something, don’t frown and tense up! Also, when you see your students frowning, kindly tell them to relax and breathe. Most of the time, we are not aware of how we disconnect our bodies from our minds. But remember, both have their own intelligence, which is not given but earned.
Exercise: Where is My Mind?
This exercise helps us locate our minds and ensure they are not wandering. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of reading a book and not remembering what you just read. Your mind wasn’t present. It’s the same with driving a car; sometimes you don’t even know how you got home from work because your mind was elsewhere.
In this exercise, you will close your eyes and take a deep breath. I will guide you with my voice to help you relax. For two to three minutes, focus on your breathing and fully immerse yourself in the present moment, allowing any distractions to fade away. As you breathe in deeply, feel your body fill with calmness, and as you exhale, release any tension. Afterward, continue to breathe deeply while activating your senses. Notice the sounds around you, the sensations in your body, and the rhythm of your breath. Perform a body scan, moving your awareness to the right hand. As you do this, cultivate positive emotions and visualize a rose. Imagine the colors and scents of this beautiful flower. Then, bring your awareness back to present.
Exercise: Tell Me Your Name, It’s Part of the Game!
This exercise is great for both you and your students. As a substitute teacher, I often meet students for the first time and don’t know what to expect. To reduce stress and break the ice, I ask them to say their name and something important about themselves. They are usually delighted to share, and during that time, I am focused solely on them. I try to remember their name and hobbies, and they feel seen and heard.
Imagine you have just met ten new students, and you need to remember their names: Hunter, Johnny, Lily, Lisa, William, Thomas, Candy, and Madison. This task can be quite challenging, can’t it? However, with a bit of imagination and creativity, you can remember these names effortlessly!
Picture this scene: Johnny Depp is dramatically running from a hunter while holding a beautiful lily in his hands. Meanwhile, Lisa Simpson is sitting nearby, reading a book written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare. In another corner, Thomas Edison is eating a piece of candy. All of this is happening in the bustling atmosphere of Madison Square Garden.
Can you visualize this colorful scenario? By creating such vivid mental images, you can effectively remember each student’s name while strengthening your memory skills. This imaginative approach not only makes the task more enjoyable but also enhances your ability to recall names in the future!
Just keep in mind that using mindful teaching strategies takes practice and patience. The idea is to create an atmosphere of presence and awareness in the classroom that benefits both teachers and students.
Unlock Your Well-Being Mode: Healthy Teacher Offers More!
This course focuses on YOU, not only as a teacher but also as an individual. Teaching is a demanding job, a 24/7 calling. To be a good teacher, you should know your subject matter, but it’s even more important to be satisfied, energized, motivated, and willing to push beyond your comfort zone.
This course covers topics like physical and emotional well-being, work-life balance, teamwork, and mindfulness. We’ll engage in many useful practices, activities, and exercises that can help you improve your personal self-care. Because a healthy teacher really offers more!
Providing a personal approach to everyone is one of my biggest strengths as an educator, so participating in this course is truly a unique experience. You’ll find plenty of resources online, but everyone is different, so what works for one person might not work for another. And that’s okay! You’ll just have to find your authenticity.
Exercise: Are You Alright?
For this exercise, you will need to answer questions honestly for yourself. Before doing so, visualize the atmosphere described in each question. The goal is to acknowledge and accept things about yourself, as this is the first step toward moving forward. And again, be completely honest with yourself!
- Imagine yourself on a beach looking at the stars above. You hear sound of an ocean and feel salt on your skin. What are you thinking about in this moment? Are you thinking about your chores? Are you laughing right now because you can’t imagine this situation? Or do you know and feel that you are part of the magical universe, filled with unseen wonders and potential?
- Say, write or think of two things that you are grateful for. Think of something that you feel sorry for. And say: I’m sorry. Think of someone who hurt you. Say: I forgive you. Imagine you are talking with younger version of yourself. Say: I love you.
- Draw a flower. Write down five things in its petals. Your strength, your weakness, something that you are good at, something that you are not so good at and something you want to be better at. After that, you should visit website https://www.futureme.org/ and send this flower to your future self! In a year you will see how you have changed and improved.
REMEMBER! Get out of your comfort zone but stay comfortable!
Written by: Mirjana Letica, prof. Lina Edu educator
