Yoga and Mindfulness: Helping Teachers and Students Feel Better at School

Did you know that incorporating yoga into daily routines can significantly enhance overall well-being and reduce stress? Imagine starting each day with a sense of calm and balance—something that yoga can help achieve! Whether it’s a deep breath, a gentle stretch, or a moment of mindfulness, yoga has the power to transform not just individual lives but also the entire educational environment.

The latest edition of the course “Yoga for teachers and school staff: Enhancing Well-being in the classroom” took place in Tenerife from 18/01/2026 to 24/01/2026. Educators from diverse European schools convened to discuss the positive influence of yoga on teaching practices. Attendees included Erika from MOURILLON, France; Hannah and Linda from Grueneberg-Schule, Germany; Stefan and Hendrik from Carlo-Schmid-Oberschule, Germany; and Jean and Fabien from EREA Jean BART, France.

The course commenced with foundational teambuilding, allowing participants to share their expectations, contributions, and fears while establishing a mindful atmosphere. The group engaged in restorative practices, including work with the breath, Hatha Yoga, and body scan meditations. Educators explored the history of yoga and the principles of pranayama, discussing how the specific benefits of breathwork and movement can be effectively integrated to improve the classroom environment.

On Tuesday, the focus shifted toward stress management, exploring the nuances of eustress and building a comprehensive “stress management toolbox.” Through a Vinyasa Yoga session and the practice of noticing thoughts and emotions, participants strengthened their emotional intelligence. Journaling exercises provided a space to document these emotional experiences, reinforcing the habit of self-reflection and the management of one’s own internal state.

Midweek, the curriculum centered on fostering a growth mindset in the classroom and providing effective feedback. Participants engaged in a meditation designed to notice internal labels and let go of fixed mindsets. The day’s yoga practice utilized “heart openers” as a physical metaphor for keeping both the head and heart open, symbolizing a readiness to allow growth and new perspectives to enter their teaching practice.

Thursday was dedicated to mindfulness and sensory awareness, starting with a five-senses meditation and dynamic walking meditation. The group participated in eye-gazing and a mirror game to share their learning through poses and gestures, followed by a body warm-up and sun salutations. Partner yoga was introduced to build connection and trust through shared poses, concluding with a “happy place” meditation and a mindful circle of small exercises to restore presence.

On the final day, the group focused on repetition and resource integration, recalling the various practices suitable for classroom use. Participants practiced Chair Yoga as a practical classroom ritual and engaged in a Metta “Loving Kindness” meditation. After a collaborative session to share ideas and the distribution of certificates, the week concluded with a Yoga Nidra session led by Hendrik, one of the participants, solidifying the collective learning experience.

Discover more about this course here