How One Teacher Transformed School Culture with Mindfulness in the Classroom

Let’s hear from Sarah Strong, a 6th-year teacher in the Northern Virginia area. She graduated from UVA in 2020 with her B.S.Ed. in Youth and Social Innovation and her M.T. in Elementary Education. While at UVA, Sarah became a RYT-200 Yoga Instructor and quickly became enamored with the integration of yoga in elementary school classrooms. She now works as a 4th grade language arts teacher in Falls Church and a private yoga instructor in Arlington. Three years ago, she completed Yoga 4 Classroom’s “Yoga and Mindfulness in the Classroom” self-paced training. Since then, she has been successfully using the resource with her students and schoolwide. Her school has been using Y4C for the past 5–6 years. In fact, it was one of the reasons she was drawn to working here!

Over the past three years, I have incorporated Yoga 4 Classrooms into our school’s morning news program. Every Monday is “Mindful Monday,” when students and staff are encouraged to wear comfortable, athletic clothing. The news broadcast features a short video of me demonstrating either an “At Your Desk,” “Stand Strong,” or a “Let’s Breathe” activity from the Y4C Activity Cards. We also create a poster with the pose, variations, and tips, which we display throughout the building as a visual reminder for both students and teachers.

These strategies have become a regular part of our school culture. Teachers use them to help students stay focused during hallway transitions, and I often see students practicing them while waiting outside the bathroom. Since launching the segment in 2022, we have noticed students using the techniques independently—and even introducing them to new classmates. It has been amazing to see how they are developing self-awareness, managing their energy, and taking ownership of these mindfulness tools.

I highly recommend educators incorporate this into a news program if possible! I have been able to reach students and staff on a wider scale without adding work to my plate. We have also found that it has increased student engagement as they ask to be featured! I can’t wait to continue this work in the 2025-2026 school year ◡̈

We love to hear about the creative ways Yoga 4 Classrooms is used in your classrooms and schools. Thank you, Sarah, for the work you do every day to support your students! We would love to hear how you are using Yoga 4 Classrooms at your school, too. Contact us and share your story!