Mindfulness Practice and Story Meditation - Feel Confident & Calm (FLEX)

This is a flexible (FLEX) learning course - There will be no live meetings. This flexible class is ideal for learners with busy schedules, those that cannot commit to the same time each week, and learners living in other time zones.

In this class we will read a new story every week. Learners will be asked to choose a comfortable sitting or lying position and to remain as still as possible for the duration of the exercise. Following the prompts in the story, little dreamers will close their eyes and use their imagination and visualization skills to imagine a new setting every week. This class is designed to draw children away from the screen, to use their imagination, to focus their attention without external stimulation, to connect with the world around them, and to help them relax their mind and body at will.

With help of a story meditation students will learn the possibility of experiencing a world of magic and adventure within themselves. Such exercises can help build learner's self-esteem and confidence while also improving creative abilities and practicing mindfulness. Regular meditation practice has shown to improve concentration and aid learning.

This class will include a list of activities that learners will be asked to submit:
- 1st week worksheet describing learners' goals in meditation, their previous experience (based on this information I will customize the lessons to address the students needs)
- journaling and/or painting activity (descripting learners' visualization and experience in the meditation practice)
- last week worksheet describing the goals achieved and areas that might require additional practice

TEACHER INTERACTION: 
- weekly check-in with students (depending on students' preference: via typed messages, audio or video), opportunity to ask questions, express their likes/dislikes and their feelings/experience
- feedback on all the work submitted by the student

PEER INTERACTION:
- interaction/chat about the work submitted (learners will be encouraged to comment on the paintings or journaling submissions if their experience was very different or similar - in a positive, encouraging environment)
- group discussions about the meditation visualization and experience

Each prerecorded class will consist of:
- Introduction and invitation to be as still as possible during the practice
- Brief breathing exercise 
- Story time = mediation practice 

Weekly stories will include:
Week 1: Wishing Star
Week 2: Rainbow
Week 3: Mountain
Week 4: Shower of Light
Week 5: Angel
Week 6: Magic Wardrobe 

This class can be great for children preparing for bed, or a great break during the day to feel more confident and calm.

I trust that the earlier we introduce mindfulness and meditation to children, the easier it can be for them as they grow up. 

But please note that, just as Rome was not built in one day, meditation and mindfulness exercises require time and practice.