Establishing the Meditation Environment

Creating an environment that is conducive to meditation is no small task when it comes to a busy classroom that is housed in an active school environment.  Here are a few guidelines:

  • “Meditation in Progress, Please Do Not Disturb” sign: It is recommended that your class creates a “Meditation in Progress, Please Do Not Disturb” sign and post this sign outside the classroom door to alert outside students and teachers to NOT knock, deliver technology/supplies or enter the classroom at this time. 

  • Establish Enter/Exit Classroom Rules: Ensure the class has established guidelines for students entering and exiting the classroom during the Lesson & Meditation period (no washroom runs during 15 minute session, late arrivals wait outside until Audio Lesson & Meditation is complete 

  • Chatty & Disengaged Educators:  It is not uncommon when the classroom environment quiets and students become engaged for the adults in the room to mistakenly view this as an opportunity to chat with one another or prep for the next activity.  Chatty adults and disengaged educators will significantly affect the ability of the students to give their full attention to the Lesson and Meditation and diminish the quality of the meditation environment.

  • Establish a “Let’s Get Ready Signal”: Use the actions of turning off the lights and playing the Sound Check audio feature at the beginning of each Lesson as a signal to students to quiet and prepare for the session.  This preparation should include clearing the desk of any and all distractions (food, books, pens, pencils) - anything students might fidget with during the session.  If you anticipate that some students will be tempted to sneak their hands into their desks during the session, ask all students to push their chair slightly away from the front of the desk.  Position the Belly Buddy on the desk for each animal lesson & mediation session

  • Disruptive Students: Consider placing the few students who have proven to be disruptive to the process close to you during the practice or, if appropriate, lying on a yoga mat along the perimeter of the classroom (with the Belly Buddy on the belly) where you can keep a watchful eye on them.