Stories of School Yoga: Narratives from the Field

Description

The yoga-in-schools movement has been gaining momentum in recent years as adult practitioners realize the benefit of yoga in their personal lives and want to share it with children and youth. As the movement has grown, so has the need to understand how yoga works and its effects on individuals, groups, and school culture. Stories of School Yoga brings together firsthand narratives by teachers and practitioners from diverse settings nationwide to illuminate the multifaceted work, challenges, and benefits of teaching yoga to K-12 students in public schools. The stories here supplement and reframe quantitative research in the field; demonstrate how yoga can mitigate stress and tension, particularly amid an increased focus on standardized curricula and testing; and offer lessons learned and practical insights into planning, implementing, and running these programs. Rich in detail and accessible to nonspecialists, Stories of School Yoga presents helpful resources and a nuanced, on-the-ground look at the yoga-in-schools movement. Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: “I Just Breathe”: Stories of School Yoga The Organization of this Book References Chapter 1: Qualitative Research and School Yoga What Do We Mean by Yoga? Yoga in Schools: Benefits Yoga in Schools: Controversy Issues of Spirituality and Colonization Dilemmas on the Purpose and Benefits of Yoga Research on Yoga in Schools: Two Paradigms Qualitative Research in Schools Differences in Paradigms Why Use Qualitative Research in Yoga in Schools? Yoga and Social Justice Note References Chapter 2: The World Is Made Up of Stories A Feminist-Relational Approach Narrative Inquiry and Qualitative Research Our Story The Process of Gathering Narratives Coaching and Editing Some Vexing Issues Representation We Do What We Can: A Focus on the Personal and Local References Section I: Yogis on School Staff Chapter 3: One School, Calm and Alert The Beginning The Demands of the Public School Environment The Struggle for Wellness The Weaving of Worlds The Practices Measuring the Effectiveness of the Practices The Fruits of Practice Janet’s Coda References Chapter 4: S.T.O.P. and Relax: A Yoga Curriculum for Students with Autism Discovering Yoga as an Antidote to Stress The S.T.O.P. Program Making the Most of S.T.O.P. Andrea’s Coda Note References Chapter 5: Achieving and Breathing: the Yoga Journey of a Public Kindergarten to High School: Different Kids, Similar Issues Leadership, Language Learning, and a Yogic Philosophy of Education A Mindful Classroom: Delights and Challenges Formal Training in Kids Yoga Teaching Mindfulness in Education and Beyond Andrea’s Coda Note References Section II: National Programs Chapter 6: Empowering Schools from the Inside: Training Leaders for Sustainable Yoga Teaching Yoga to Kids Yoga4Classrooms The School IMPLEMENT Leader Program Andrea’s Coda Notes References Chapter 7: SEL, Yoga and Mindfulness: Developing Teacher Competencies Mindful Practices and Social Emotional Learning Developing Teacher Competencies Schools as Inclusive, Interpersonal Systems Andrea’s Coda References Chapter 8: Creating a Nonviolent World: The CALMING KIDS Story Early Success Challenges New Strategy: Build It and They Will Come Evolution Janet’s Coda References Section III: Working with Marginalized Populations Chapter 9: Sharing the Practices with Urban Elementary Students Sharing Yoga with Students Challenges of Working in Schools The “Last Class” of the Day Yoga Practices as Life Skills School Culture Time and Resources Janet’s Coda References Chapter 10: Yoga for Health and Physical Education (and More) YIS Origin Story An Alternative School Story Classroom Management Yoga is an “Inside Job”: Training HPE Teachers Act with Humility Final Thoughts on Working with Schools Andrea’s Coda References Chapter 11: Practicing Yoga, Practicing Justice Life is Loud Osmosis is Not an Option Bodies Need Are You Safe? Don’t Let Anybody Steal Your Peace And We Connect More Janet’s Coda References Conclusion: A Place for Making Meaning Privilege and Yoga: Race and Gender Ontologies and Epistemologies: Theories of Personal and Social Change Compassion as Social Justice Vulnerabilities Narrative as Telling and Knowing Claiming Stories as Knowledge Contradiction and Collaboration What We Know about Yoga in Schools Students Teachers Features of Quality Programs A Final Reflection References Contributors (in order of appearance) Index