Mary Vogt

What is your current role or position?

I am a Elementary School Counselor.

What do yoga and mindfulness mean to you?

Mindfulness means to have a calm body and mind and to be in the moment. Forgetting all the stressors that life may throw at you and to be still but also to learn how to get through challenges we face in a healthy way.

What sparked your interest in Yoga Ed.?

A lot of my students use fidget toys and other items to calm their bodies and minds down. Due to the pandemic, that is not allowed anymore. I learned about Yoga Ed through a colleague and learned more about what Yoga Ed has to offer. This was a great time to learn about the different movements and breaths that students can do to calm their bodies just like those fidget toys did, but without moving from their seats.

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

Chair Yoga and Mindful Practices for Children. This course was encouraged by Gina Hernandez from Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey & Child Wellness Institute of New Jersey. This was a great course that complimented the trauma transformation/healing centered work that she has bought into our school.

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

My biggest takeaway from this course was the different reasons why we do certain movements and exercises. It’s amazing that a certain rhythm or flow can do so many things to your body.

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

I have shown my students the different exercises that they can use when they are feeling any emotion. Every one of my students has an invisible tool box that they dig into when they are feeling mad, sad, silly, etc. Once a month I hold a Student of the Month Assembly where I introduce a new mindful exercise to the students. This past month I introduced “humming breath.” This was a breathing exercise that I learned from my Yoga Ed Course. When students learn a new exercise or tool, they can put it in their imaginary tool box to use at a later time!

Would you recommend this course or program to others?

Yes, I would recommend this course to all educators no matter what age you teach. This is a great resource for us to use to help our students grow and get through any challenges they are facing. Especially now during a pandemic.