...along with core subjects like math, language arts and science,
educators also teach yoga poses like the peace breath...
Two years ago, teachers at DeKalb County School System’s Fernbank
Elementary may have never envisioned that students closing their eyes
during instruction would be acceptable, but today, with the inception of
a program called YogaKids International, doing just that is not only
allowed—it’s also encouraged. At Fernbank, along with core subjects like
math, language arts and science, educators also teach yoga poses like
the ‘peace breath’, ‘polar bear’ and ‘Raggedy Ann & Andy’, thanks to
YogaKids Tools for Schools.
On Wednesday
morning, a NBC Nightly News crew with national news correspondent Bob
Faw visited Fernbank to take a peek at the unique program—a phenomena
that seems to be quickly spreading the nation.
YogaKids
Tools for Schools began in 2005 at Fernbank as a pilot program before it
was published as a nationwide initiative. The program, designed to
support existing core curriculum and standards, allows teachers to
easily incorporate yoga into the classroom without additional workload.
Amy Haysman, a former middle school teacher in Gwinnett County who has
practiced yoga for seven years, co-wrote Tools for Schools and trained
Fernbank teachers in yoga instruction.
“Yoga helps oxygenate
the brain and blood system; it helps with posture, fitness and
digestion. Tools for Schools is not a program meant to coddle children,
but it empowers them to better control their behavior and have a clear
mind for decision making,” said Haysman of the program whose slogan is
‘Breathe Life into Learning.’
A study conducted in January
of this year by Purdue and Indiana Universities found that YogaKids
Tools for Schools has a significant positive effect on classroom
achievement, general health, student relations and personal attributes.
School nurse Mollie Fenlon said she even uses yoga’s deep
breathing techniques to help children calm down when they visit the
office upset. Fenlon also added that her 11-year-old daughter who also
attends Fernbank loves yoga and it helps in her practice of ballet and
modern dance.
Fernbank parents and teachers collaborated to
write a wellness initiative grant that awarded the school $5,000 to
fund training and materials for Fernbank educators. As of now, 15
teachers have received full training with 25 more to receive training in
the near future. Additionally, Fernbank offers a free after-school yoga
club instructed by Cheryl Crawford, a co-writer for Tools for Schools
whose triplets attend Fernbank. Crawford also served as a yoga trainer
for Fernbank teachers.
YogaKids International was developed
by Marsha Wenig and a team of educators and therapists. YogaKids Tools
for Schools is available to any school with interest. Funding is often
provided through grant writing or PTA sponsorship.
The
segment, filmed Wednesday by NBC Nightly News, is likely to air in the
next month on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams show.
© DeKalb County School
System
