Lucia Di Prima

What is your current role or position?

I am an early childhood special educator in Colorado Springs. I have been teaching for 7 years and have held my current role for the last 3 years. I travel from school to school across my county and service students with special needs in their integrated classroom. I incorporate yoga and mindfulness classes in my 1:1 sessions with students as well as with the classes as a whole!

What does yoga and mindfulness mean to you?

Yoga and mindfulness help me to stay in the present moment. It also enables me to shift my perspective when needed and sustain a balanced and meaningful life.

What sparked your interest in Yoga Ed.?

Due to the population of students I serve, I was interested in Yoga Ed. because I really wanted to find a trauma informed program that would lead to an RCYT certification. Yoga Ed. offered both!

Which Yoga Ed. course(s) did you complete, and when did you complete it?

I completed the children’s yoga, teen yoga, and trauma yoga courses in June 2020, leading to an RCYT certification.

What is your biggest takeaway from the course or program? What knowledge, insights, or skills did you gain?

The biggest takeaway from the program was learning the “why” behind everything we do as yoga educators. As an educator, it was important that I participate in a program that explained developmental theory, anatomy, and physiology, as well as the spiritual aspect of yoga and mindfulness. Having the vocabulary and background knowledge to defend yoga and mindfulness in schools is powerful!

How have you implemented the program in your life? Have you received any feedback about the course from your students?

Yes! I engage my students in a yoga/mindfulness session every week in their classrooms! I have gotten wonderful feedback from my teams and have seen other teachers take what I have taught and extend it to other students and within their classroom structure. It is always the most touching when I see a student use a yoga pose or breathing method independently during the school day.

Would you recommend this course or program to others?

Absolutely, I really enjoyed the self-paced nature of the program as a full-time educator. However, although there is independence in the program there is also a community built through the weekly check in sessions!

Is there anything else you would like to share that we have not covered in your profile?

Keep sharing yoga with young children!