In Mindfulness Practices, published by Solution Tree, authors Christine Mason, Michele M. Rivers Murphy, and Yvette Jackson detail how to build compassionate school communities that prioritize high levels of achievement and high levels of well-being.
“Far too many children and adults carry an insurmountable weight of stress or past traumatic experiences that can negatively impact the way that they interact, learn, teach, lead, and live,” explain the authors in the book’s introduction. “Mindfulness is an organic, practical, and accessible life tool that they can use to calm the mind and body and counteract the high levels of stress and trauma associated with school, work, and life.” Mindfulness Practices is conveniently divided into three thematic parts, each part consisting of three individual chapters:
Part I provides foundational information, describing why creating a compassionate and supportive classroom is beneficial while highlighting the latest neuroscience research that supports the recommendations throughout the book. Part II focuses on the “how” and includes information on mindfulness, as well as mindfulness strategies and exercises, including breathing exercises, yoga for the classroom, meditation for students, and cognitive reflection and awareness. Part III focuses on the implications of and procedures for suffusing the practice of mindfulness into academic instruction, while also considering approaches for schoolwide or districtwide implementation. The book’s mindfulness exercises and practices are easily adaptable across grade levels—from prekindergarten through high school—as well as across urban, suburban, and rural school settings. Eric Cardwell, principal of Besser Elementary School in Michigan, gave high praise to the book, stating, “Mindfulness Practices is a pivotal read that outlines the tremendous impact trauma has on the brain and the moral imperative that we have, as educators, to meet the challenge of educating with our hearts and minds.” Mindfulness Practices is now available to order at SolutionTree.com.
