Strategies for Implementing Yoga Instruction in Schools by a Notable School District Leader
In the North Adams Public Schools, Dr. Barbara Malkas, the Massachusetts Superintendent of the Year, has initiated a yoga program to help address the high stress levels among students and staff following the pandemic.
Dr. Malkas, who is now a certified yoga instructor, became interested in the organization Breathe for Change, which trains educators in yoga, social-emotional learning, and wellness practices. She believes that the skills students are learning through the yoga programs, such as mindfulness and creative expression, are not just beneficial for their learning, but also for their practice in life.
Dr. Malkas advises against making assumptions about the acceptance of these programs in schools. Instead, she suggests making them available without forcing them on students or teachers. Creative ways to recruit students and staff for yoga classes include offering them during the school day and as part of after-school classes, and using yoga as an alternative to detention.
More than 30 educators, including the football coach, now offer yoga classes for students, teachers, and the North Adams community. Dr. Malkas encourages educators to help shape the programs and implement them in innovative ways.
To gauge the impact of the Breathe for Change yoga programs, Dr. Malkas tracks data, looking at behavioral incidents and discipline referrals, and surveys teachers about the strategies they are using and the outcomes they notice. She notes that yoga and mindfulness have helped people through difficult times in the past and can be a helpful recommendation for engagement.
Dr. Malkas also emphasises the importance of district leaders committing to the program for a significant period and building capacity for its implementation. She believes that the long history of yoga and mindfulness practices can serve as a strong foundation for the success of these programs in schools.
