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In today’s educational environment where kids, at times, have difficulties learning the way we teach, Brynne Caleda is, instead, teaching in the way they learn – through yoga.
In the continuous pursuit to refocus energy, interest and direction in the modern classroom setting, yoga has proved a useful tool in doing just that. Sharing yoga tools with their students is a creative way that enables teachers to create a more focused and harmonious learning environment. It supports students on many levels; intellectual growth, psychological development and physical fitness, just to name a few.
A program that seeks to achieve this is Yoga Ed. A nationally accredited educational program, Yoga Ed. combines yoga-based exercise systems with methodical activities and lessons that serve to explore the mind, body and self. It seeks to assist children in becoming learning ready, emotionally stable and physically healthy while maintaining self-awareness.
At the same time, the Yoga Ed. program shares the benefits of yoga with students and teachers alike. It challenges educators to initiate change in themselves, consequently manifesting in effectual and meaningful connections with their students. Through Yoga Ed. educators learn how to implement specific tools to support student’s mental and emotional health, which is directly correlated to academic success. Yoga Ed. educators have the ability to bring balance into the classroom creating a harmonious environment for students to reach their highest academic potential.
On a physiological level, studies have shown that the practice of yoga lowers blood levels of the stress-inducing hormone, cortisol, while concurrently developing overall physical strength, balance and flexibility. In a classroom setting, overriding stress responses clears the slate for improved mental focus and learning,
Here in Hawai‘i, Brynne Caleda has pioneered the field of yoga education for the youth. As well as being a professional yoga instructor, she is a local Yoga Ed. trainer and instructor who has an unparalleled passion to teach yoga to kids. She has successfully implemented the Yoga Ed. program in such schools as Jarrett Middle School, Hanahauoli Elementary School and Sacred Hearts. She continues her work locally, as well as internationally, conducting Yoga Ed. trainings in the Philippines, Japan and Ireland.
However, Yoga Ed. does not only pertain to the classroom environment. Implementing kids yoga has its benefits in serving and assisting children in the larger local community. In Honolulu, Brynne runs programs for kids at homeless shelters and sexual abuse centers. “Brynne has truly led the way for youth yoga and Yoga Ed. here in Hawai‘i, spearheading yoga [curriculum/programs] in the schools, community and passing the torch to dedicated, caring teachers along the way”, says Rachel Piano-Pooley, a Yoga Ed. instructor, who participated in a training facilitated by Brynne in 2008 on the Big Island.
This is why Brynne Caleda and other Yoga Ed. instructors in Hawai‘i and through out the nation are figuratively, and literally, bending over backwards to integrate kids yoga in schools and the community - to perpetuate a successful learning environment for the future of today’s youth. After all, isn’t it the responsibility of educational institutions and educators to cultivate stimulating settings in which experiential learning is effective, safe, creative and beneficial both mentally and physically? At least, that’s the hope.
For more information on kids yoga and upcoming trainings, visit www.brynnecaleda.com
Brynne is offering a 7-day YogaEd training on the North Shore of Kauai June 8-14.
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