Integrating Yoga and Mindfulness into the Sixth-Grade Classroom

Let’s hear from Lucia Lauria, 6th grade teacher in Long Island, New York. Lucia has over 25 years of experience in elementary and middle school settings. Additionally, she is a certified yoga instructor and uniquely integrates wellness with academics. She practices yoga in her daily life, recognizes its immense value, and is passionate about sharing those benefits with her students. In 2017, she authored Math + Yoga = No Way!, a children’s book that creatively bridges mathematical concepts through yoga practice.

Incorporating yoga and mindfulness into my sixth-grade curriculum has been a rewarding journey. Every Friday is dedicated to our “yoga day,” where we begin each class period with a purposeful ten-minute practice. Using the Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards, I curate a sequence that includes one or two “Let’s Breathe” breathing exercises, approximately five “At Your Desk” seated yoga poses, and a scripted meditation from the “Imagination Vacation” cards— which remains my favorite part of the deck. This consistent practice has profoundly transformed our classroom culture, fostering a space where students are centered, focused, and better equipped to navigate daily challenges.

The Yoga 4 Classrooms Activity Cards are an indispensable resource in my teaching toolkit.

I typically begin with breathing exercises, inviting students to keep their eyes open or closed based on their comfort level. My goal is to help them release the stressors of the day, whether from the bus ride or the lunchroom, and anchor themselves in the present. I often share the yogic philosophy that every breath is a fresh start. This perspective empowers students to recognize that regardless of any poor choices made earlier, their very next breath offers a new opportunity to choose a more positive path. For the physical portion of the session, I select about five seated desk poses that are accessible and effective. To ensure a seamless experience for my students, I always practice the sequence at my own desk beforehand. We conclude each session with Savasana ( desk-rest position), during which I read a scripted meditation aloud to provide a final moment of reflection and calm.

The positive impact of this weekly practice is evident. It provides students with essential tools to manage stress and anxiety, improve problem-solving skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Witnessing these tangible results firsthand has solidified my commitment to mindfulness in education.

As a teacher of sixth-grade math and science, I have found unique ways to bridge wellness with academic standards. Years ago, I noticed how frequently mathematical concepts such as parallel lines and 90-degree angles are embedded within yoga instruction. This realization inspired me to write a children’s book, “Math + Yoga = No Way!” that harmonizes math and yoga. This fall, I am excited to release a second book that connects yoga with social studies. This project was born from my time teaching social studies, where I discovered that posing in “Pyramid Pose” offered a perfect mnemonic and physical connection to the study of Ancient Egypt.

Thank you, Lucia, for all you do to bring yoga and mindfulness to your students!