Building Foundation
Imagine you’re in the classroom, students energetically moving around, faces illuminated with smiles, a ringing of a bell radiates the space; it’s time to FLY. Students gather on the floor ready to enter their body and connect with the breath. The instructor states the intention of the day – setting the foundation for what’s to come.
At this time, we will lay the groundwork of the FLY 5, expanding on the Foundation pillar, to give you an idea of the lasting impact it has on our sessions. How do you think this affects the class? What could the benefit be?
Why We Build Foundation
Let me take you on a thought experiment to give you a sense of why we do this. Have you ever bought a new car, and all of a sudden, no matter where you go, everybody has it, too? Or, you just started a new habit and you find yourself wanting to do it every day? My guess is that you’ve experienced one of these or something similar. Why is this? Well, our brains are masters of pattern recognition. With so much stimulus around us, our brains are constantly evaluating incoming information, giving priority toward something we’ve recently encountered. So it isn’t that everyone and their mother bought the same car as you, it’s just that your brain is prejudiced toward what it knows.
How it Works
Now, think about your child and how much their focus drifts. Beginning our classes with intention setting minimizes this; prompting the pattern recognition of students’ minds. One exercise we start with is called Reach for The Sky – students picture something they really want in the sky and reach with their whole body to get it, shaking out at the end. This allows them to create an association of fun and complete effort when thinking about their future dream. The purpose in this phase of our curriculum is to get students to identify something meaningful in their lives and help them increase their positivity towards it.
Our intention is set. Our focus is collectively engaged with the same purpose. Mentally, physically, and emotionally present. We are now ready for take off. Bring on the FUN!
Are you ready to see your child soar?
Join the Movement!
Programs offered in Nursery, Elementary, Middle, and High Schools Nationwide
Stay Tuned:
Next Time we will be talking about the second pillar, FUN.
Corey Harnish
Blog Writer for FLY Yoga Arts.
AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni.
Rotary International Honorary Rotarian.
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