Sail the boat on the ocean of mind...

 9th August: We adopted a mindfulness activity for children from "Smiling Mind" android app. It introduces children to an important skill: belly breathing.
So, first we led children into an Origami activity- of making a paper boat. Only Sonia, was able to make one at the first go. Other kids were helped by one another and the new English teacher, Ankush.
Next, Sachin gave a demo of "Sail the boat".
Children, next followed it by lying down, putting the paper boat on their navel, closing eyes and then breathing slowly, rhythmically in such a way that the boat will not topple over - but ride the wave of breathing.
We followed various breath patterns, following the imagery of a boat riding the ocean waves: fast, slow, holding the breath at the end of inspiration and expiration etc.
After an initial phase of giggling and holding themselves "tight", children got into the flow, relaxed and begun to enjoy.  (video)
After about 20 minutes, we asked them to open the eyes, sit up gradually and share their responses.
In the following discussion, we explained how belly breathing, as opposed to chest breathing, helps us to relax.
This can be helpful when children are startled by a sudden question in the class or being called out to the front of the class to recite or answer some question.
It is believed that children LEARN (are not born with) a certain pattern of reacting to stress, which may be counterproductive. Therefore helping children learn a different way of dealing with stress can be helpful in the long run. SMTA thanks the authors of Smiling Mind (link).