Wouldn't it be great if we could build a community of educators committed to using wellness and social emotional learning as vehicles for healing and social change? So, what is social emotional learning anyway?
Social emotional learning is defined as the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
It is a process through which we acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. These skills are vital for school, work, and a life of success.
Sounds good, but how do we go about building this community? Before we get out our tools, lets start with a breath break!
What is a breath break? Simply said, a breath break connects you to your breath. You can enhance your physical, mental and social emotional well-being with mindful breathing techniques. You'll notice that you become less stressed when you practice conscious breathing and you'll want to share this with others.
Breath is life! When we build awareness of our breath, we gain the capacity to respond thoughtfully rather than react to our situation. Breath awareness deepens our connection with the ever-flowing movement of our breath; increasing presence, enhancing mindful awareness, calming the body, and focusing the mind.
Breathing techniques make use of the natural calming and soothing impact of the breath on the mind and body. They activate the parasympathetic nervous system allowing us to rest and digest. Mind/body practices help us in time of stress! They also help to build healthy habits that ultimately, in time, decrease our reactivity to stress.
Now that we've acquired a bit of knowledge, let's apply it and practice Breath of Joy!
Breath of Joy
Stand tall in Mountain pose; head lifted high to the sky. Inhale in three parts, lifting the arms out in front, out to the side, then overhead. Exhale with an audible "HAAA" and fold forward. Bend the knees and gently swing the arms down and behind you. Slowly return to standing.
Repeat 3 - 5 times. Pause and notice how you feel.
Breath of Joy is just one of many breathing exercises you can practice with your students and other educators that will bring a smile to everyone's face!
Our newest title, A Yoga Storytelling Adventure: Peace and Quiet, offers breathing exercises that develop self-awareness and self-control. These interpersonal skills are needed to build a community committed to using wellness and social emotional learning as vehicles for healing and social change. Yoga has always been about healing and social emotional change!
Peace and Quiet takes us on a whimsical journey to Eastern Europe, where a mind-mannered girl thinks she lives in a noisy and chaotic house until her wise neighbor turns her world upside down and she sees things in a different way.
In this timeless tale kids learn that they may not be able to control the world around them; however, they can control their inner world. Although intended for ages 4 to 8, kids of all ages will discover a simple way to stay calm, focused and alert with three easy breathing exercises to use as a means of self-empowerment.
Included is a Polish word guide to help develop an appreciation of a different language, and best of all, a full description of yoga poses makes the story come alive as you go on A Yoga Storytelling Adventure!
In honor of International Yoga Day the ebook will be FREE June 20, 21, and 22.
We would love for you to read and review!! getbook.at/peaceandquiet
May all beings be happy and healthy!!
Kathe
As always FREE
resources for your home or school classroom
@ www.ayogastorytellingadventure.com 
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