Breathing Space in Schools - Monday, April 16, 2007
Maitrivajri and Srivati of Bodhi Tree regularly host school visits at the LBC. Through positive feedback received about the children’s responses to meditation, in March they piloted the project ‘Breathing space in schools’, funded by Onwards for all.The project was conceived to take meditation into schools and see what effect it has on children’s self awareness, on bullying, and to teach them ways to cope with their own anger and stress.
"The thing i really like about it is it builds my contentment and alleviates my apprehension" (Year four pupil)
For five weeks, Bodhi Tree taught aspects of meditation to children aged between six and ten, of the multi ethnic and faith school Bangabandhu in the form of a three minute breathing space (mini meditation). Aspects taught included relaxation, everyday awareness, and kind awareness to self and other.
"You come every week and make us relax" (Year six pupil)
"My work is getting better and I dont need to worry" (Year four pupil)
The meditation practices were taught separately to the school teachers to enable them to continue to conduct the three minute breathing space for the children everyday throughout the summer term. Of 218 children that responded to feedback forms 211 have said they benefited from the meditation. Meanwhile research into the effects on the children’s stress levels and how they deal with others is continuing.
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