Last week I expressed my surprise to find opposition to teaching yoga to children. Many of you offered helpful insight, both in comments and privately. The more I let my feelings settle, the more I realized it wasn’t such a big deal to just rename yoga in my classroom. My decision?
Yoga will be called “Be Ready to Learn,” or possibly BRL for short.
I know it probably sounds like a mouthful, but that’s because it’s meant to be a chant that gains speed and volume as we go:
Be. (Make the letter B with hands)
Ready. (Thumbs up)
To Learn. (Make an open book with hands)
This will be accompanied by a poster that gives the steps to be ready to learn:
1. Breathe: Count breaths to quiet outside thoughts.
2. Stretch: Get blood flowing to your brain.
3. Focus: Sit-up straight, show STAR, ask questions.
I’m excited to develop an actual thought-out plan to help student Be Ready to Learn through movement and breathing exercises this year.
And, last but not least, my VLOG. I had to fight the temptation to put on make-up and film another take (or delete altogether). Instead, spontaneous and natural, just as I would like my kids to be. It’s funny how sometimes it really is hard to practice what you preach…
oliviaobryon 