Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/329829
As the founder of Mindful Life and the creator of the Mindful Life Schools program, Race trains teachers across the country to integrate mindfulness strategies into their classrooms. When she makes the case for mindfulness, her position is backed by more than personal anecdotes. A study of her Mindful Life Schools program confirmed what she found evident in her own practice: short, frequent doses of mindfulness can have a profound effect. The preschool classes who practiced just 30 minutes a week for 10 weeks showed significant improvement in emotional regulation and behavioral self-control. Practicing mindFuLness Dr. Sheryl Gonzalez-Ziegler, founder and managing director of The Child & Family Therapy Center at Lowry, begins by teaching children and parents what she considers the foundation of mindfulness practice, diaphragmatic, or deep-belly, breathing. Shallow breathing is part of the fight, flight or freeze response. From a physiological perspective, increasing lung capacity lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate and reduces stress. Demonstrating an appropriate reaction to stress is also essential when teaching mindfulness to children. "I ask parents to be mindful of what they model for their children in terms of stress management, emotional intelligence and communication," Gonzalez-Ziegler says. "I have seen that, in order to have the greatest impact in helping the child, the whole family needs to be aware of and working on their own stress, emotions and communication." Race encourages parents to go a step further and articulate the constructive ways they are managing their emotions. If you are struck in traffic, explain that you are feeling frustrated and how you will handle it. Talk about how deep breathing can help you relax. For Gonzalez-Ziegler, mindfulness is effective because it empowers the individual, regardless of their age. "(Mindfulness) has an empowering effect on children who become keenly attuned to their bodies and the connection that their thoughts and feelings have on their bodies," Gonzalez-Ziegler says. "They experience success, as they learn to control what has felt so out of control for too long." For the skeptics, she says just try it. You will find children enjoy learning about the mind-body connection. Even toddlers can begin exploring mindfulness. Health and Wellness Magazine • 57 ENROLLING FOR SUMMER 2014 AND 2015 SCHOOL YEAR Schedule a tour by calling (303) 316 - 6377 or preschool @ jccdenver.org JCC Denver • 350 South Dahlia Street • Denver, CO 80246 JCC Early Childhood Center SERVING THE DENVER COMMUNITY FOR OVER 75 YEARS