Spotlight
Tammy Kaiser, Director of Temple Beit Ha Yam Early Childhood Learning Center, Stuart, Florida
The Problem
Some children were experiencing behavior problems in the classroom. Tammy didn’t feel it was serious enough to warrant action—until she had a conversation with a congregant about the stress-reducing benefits of yoga.
The Solution
School-wide yoga for teachers and students.
How They Did It
Tammy was impressed with what she heard and read about how yoga promotes both physical and emotional wellness. She approved the purchase of 100 yoga mats and hired the congregant, an experienced yoga instructor, to teach weekly classes. The synagogue’s social hall became the school’s yoga “studio.” .
The classes run between 15 minutes (for the one-year-olds) to 30 minutes (for the five-year-olds). They include low light, soothing music, and the use of lavender oil as a form of aromatherapy.
The Results
According to Tammy, yoga classes have led to better classroom management, and children who are more attentive and more aware of their bodies. Teachers report that their own stress levels are down. Some days, the children ask for yoga and teachers bring the yoga mats into the classroom and lead an impromptu class.
On Tammy’s Wish List
A small pot of money that could be used to purchase some yoga CDs and a CD player.
