Edmunds Adopts Yoga in the Classroom

The Edmunds Elementary staff met for a busy day of training in June to prepare for “Yoga 4 Classrooms,” an innovative program for improving student’s physical, emotional and comprehension skills.

Yoga helps increase student performance by improving adaptive and coping strategies, promoting school time as a more safe and stress free place. Even though Yoga is a 5,000 year old discipline practiced around the world, the Yoga 4 Classrooms initiative is a fresh concept in U.S. schools.

The Edmunds teachers learned how to lead meditation, revitalizing stretches and other routines right in the classroom – even in the student’s chairs or while standing in line. Program creator Lisa Flynn managed instruction and said Edmunds teachers seemed to be an open and impressive group.  She predicted their efforts would pay off in the classroom.

“Edmunds students will demonstrate success with improved learning,” Flynn said.

Principal Jaynette Rittman said the creative program will provide a boost to student focus and comprehension, helping them gain the skills and knowledge needed to be successful at the next stage of their lives.

Yoga in the classroom will begin at Edmunds in August for the 2014-15 school year with daily morning sessions and short periods throughout the day.