Mind-Body Connection for Educators - Intentional Movement for Wellness

Practical ways to support educator mental health and well-being
 
In The Mind-Body Connection for Educators: Intentional Movement for Wellness, Kathryn Kennedy, founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, delivers a research-based, practical approach to supporting educators with trauma- and equity-informed somatic strategies for mental health and wellbeing. The book explains how our minds and our bodies are intricately connected, and, consequently, both are highly affected by trauma and prolonged stress. As research shows, when this residual pain is not healed, new learning cannot take place. To support educators' healing and learning processes, the book provides an overview of several mind-body disciplines, including yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Qigong, and breathwork. In addition to overviews of each discipline, Kathryn shares what the research says and provides engaging practices for educators.
 
Readers will also find:
* Identification of system-level contributing factors that bolster educator well-being, including supportive administration, social emotional learning programs, mentoring programs, points of connection, sense of belonging, and workplace wellness programs
* Acknowledgement of systemic issues that can serve as barriers of educators' healing processes, especially those who identify as people of color, people of culture, and/or LGBTQIA2SI+
* Strategies to empower educators to address and work with their own trauma and negative emotions
* Ways for educators to understand and heal secondary traumatic stress
 
An essential resource for primary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, The Mind-Body Connection for Educators: Intentional Movement for Wellness is a great addition to the libraries of school administrators, principals, and other education professionals.

List of contents

About the Author xv
 
Foreword xvii
 
Acknowledgments xix
 
ONE My Path to Educator Wellness 1
 
My Mental Health Journey 4
 
The Birth of Wellness for Educators 8
 
COVID-Influenced Expansion 11
 
SWIM 13
 
How to Use This Book 16
 
TWO The Intersection of Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Learning 19
 
Defining Trauma 22
 
The ACEs Study 25
 
Polyvagal Theory 29
 
Window of Tolerance 32
 
The Brain and Learning 34
 
Healing Trauma and Prolonged Stress 37
 
Additional Resources 39
 
Trainings 39
 
Books 39
 
THREE Elephant in the (Class)room: School-and Systemic-Level Issues 41
 
Policy Settings of Educational Systems 48
 
Material Conditions 48
 
Quality Standards 49
 
Distribution and Allocation 49
 
Career Structure 50
 
Quality of the Working Environment 51
 
Multiple Roles 51
 
Physical Environment and Student Behavior 51
 
Pressure from Evaluation 52
 
Systemic Issues 52
 
Gun Violence 52
 
Racism 55
 
Gender Discrimination 56
 
FOUR Mind-Body Practices: What the Research Says 61
 
Research on Yoga 64
 
Research on Breathwork 65
 
Research on Meditation 66
 
Research on Mindfulness 67
 
Research on Qigong 67
 
Research on Yin Yoga 68
 
Preparation for the Practices 69
 
FIVE Yoga 75
 
Key Concepts 77
 
Eight Limbs 77
 
Yamas 78
 
Niyamas 79
 
Asana 80
 
Pranayama 80
 
Pratyahara 81
 
Dharana 81
 
Dhyana 81
 
Samadhi 81
 
Chakras 81
 
First Chakra: Root 82
 
Second Chakra: Sacral 82
 
Third Chakra: Solar Plexus 83
 
Fourth Chakra: Heart 83
 
Fifth Chakra: Throat 83
 
Sixth Chakra: Third Eye 83
 
Seventh Chakra: Crown 83
 
Practices 84
 
Sun Salutation 85
 
Mountain 86
 
Upward Salute 88
 
Standing Forward Bend 89
 
High Lunge 90
 
Plank 92
 
Chaturanga 93
 
Cobra 94
 
Downward Dog 95
 
High Lunge 97
 
Standing Forward Bend 98
 
Upward Salute 99
 
Mountain 100
 
The Warriors 101
 
Warrior I 102
 
Warrior II 103
 
Warrior III 104
 
Balance Postures 105
 
Eagle 106
 
Tree 107
 
Restorative Postures 108
 
Legs Up the Wall 109
 
Supported Child 110
 
Heart Opening 112
 
Yoga Nidra 113
 
Prepare for Practice 115
 
Choose Your Sankalpa 116
 
Rotate Consciousness 116
 
Be Aware of Your Breath 120
 
Feel and Sense Opposites 120
 
Visualize 120
 
Revisit Your Sankalpa 122
 
End Your Practice 122
 
Additional Resources 123
 
Books 123
 
Websites/Social Media 124
 
SIX Breathwork 125
 
Key Concepts 127
 
Practices 128
 
Three-Part Breath 130
 
Surya Bhedana 132
 
Chandra Bhedana 134
 
Nadi Shodhana 135
 
Ujjayi 137
 
Bhramari 138
 
Sitkari or Sitali 140
 
Lion's Breath 142
 
Breath of Joy 144
 
Additional Resources 145
 
Books 145
 
SEVEN Meditation 147
 
Key Concepts and Practices 149
 
Mantra Meditation 151
 
Chakra Meditation 152
 
Deep Breathing Chakra Meditation 152
 
Loving-Kindn

About the author

Kathryn Kennedy, PhD, is founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, a nonprofit invested in supporting educators with trauma- and equity-informed somatic practices for well-being. She also serves as founder and principal consultant of Consult4Ed Group, an education consulting firm. She has been cultivating these two primary passions for over twenty years.

Summary

Practical ways to support educator mental health and well-being

In The Mind-Body Connection for Educators: Intentional Movement for Wellness, Kathryn Kennedy, founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, delivers a research-based, practical approach to supporting educators with trauma- and equity-informed somatic strategies for mental health and wellbeing. The book explains how our minds and our bodies are intricately connected, and, consequently, both are highly affected by trauma and prolonged stress. As research shows, when this residual pain is not healed, new learning cannot take place. To support educators' healing and learning processes, the book provides an overview of several mind-body disciplines, including yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Qigong, and breathwork. In addition to overviews of each discipline, Kathryn shares what the research says and provides engaging practices for educators.

Readers will also find:
* Identification of system-level contributing factors that bolster educator well-being, including supportive administration, social emotional learning programs, mentoring programs, points of connection, sense of belonging, and workplace wellness programs
* Acknowledgement of systemic issues that can serve as barriers of educators' healing processes, especially those who identify as people of color, people of culture, and/or LGBTQIA2SI+
* Strategies to empower educators to address and work with their own trauma and negative emotions
* Ways for educators to understand and heal secondary traumatic stress

An essential resource for primary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, The Mind-Body Connection for Educators: Intentional Movement for Wellness is a great addition to the libraries of school administrators, principals, and other education professionals.

Product details

• Authors: Kennedy, K Kennedy, Kathryn Kennedy
• Publisher: Wiley, John and Sons Ltd
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 31.12.2022
• EAN: 9781119873471
• ISBN: 978-1-119-87347-1
• No. of pages: 272
• Subjects: Guides > Self-help, everyday life > Family; Humanities, art, music > Education > Education system; Education, Bildungswesen, Fakultätsentwicklung, Faculty Development