The Mind-Body Connection for Educators

About the Author xv Foreword xvii Acknowledgments xix One My Path to Educator Wellness 1 My Mental Health Journey 4 The Birth of Wellness for Educators 8 COVID-Influenced Expansion 11 SWIM 13 How to Use This Book 16 Two The Intersection of Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Learning 19 Defining Trauma 22 The ACEs Study 25 Polyvagal Theory 29 Window of Tolerance 32 The Brain and Learning 34 Healing Trauma and Prolonged Stress 37 Additional Resources 39 Trainings 39 Books 39 Three Elephant in the (Class)room: School-and Systemic-Level Issues 41 Policy Settings of Educational Systems 48 Material Conditions 48 Quality Standards 49 Distribution and Allocation 49 Career Structure 50 Quality of the Working Environment 51 Multiple Roles 51 Physical Environment and Student Behavior 51 Pressure from Evaluation 52 Systemic Issues 52 Gun Violence 52 Racism 55 Gender Discrimination 56 Four Mind-Body Practices: What the Research Says 61 Research on Yoga 64 Research on Breathwork 65 Research on Meditation 66 Research on Mindfulness 67 Research on Qigong 67 Research on Yin Yoga 68 Preparation for the Practices 69 Five Yoga 75 Key Concepts 77 Eight Limbs 77 Yamas 78 Niyamas 79 Asana 80 Contents ix Pranayama 80 Pratyahara 81 Dharana 81 Dhyana 81 Samadhi 81 Chakras 81 First Chakra: Root 82 Second Chakra: Sacral 82 Third Chakra: Solar Plexus 83 Fourth Chakra: Heart 83 Fifth Chakra: Throat 83 Sixth Chakra: Third Eye 83 Seventh Chakra: Crown 83 Practices 84 Sun Salutation 85 Mountain 86 Upward Salute 88 Standing Forward Bend 89 High Lunge 90 Plank 92 Chaturanga 93 Cobra 94 Downward Dog 95 High Lunge 97 Standing Forward Bend 98 Upward Salute 99 Mountain 100 The Warriors 101 Warrior I 102 Warrior II 103 Warrior III 104 Balance Postures 105 Eagle 106 Tree 107 Restorative Postures 108 Legs Up the Wall 109 Supported Child 110 Heart Opening 112 Yoga Nidra 113 Prepare for Practice 115 Choose Your Sankalpa 116 Rotate Consciousness 116 Be Aware of Your Breath 120 Feel and Sense Opposites 120 Visualize

Kathryn Kennedy, PhD, is founder and executive director of Wellness for Educators, a nonprofit invested in supporting educators with trauma- and equity-informed somatic practices for well-being. She also serves as founder and principal consultant of Consult4Ed Group, an education consulting firm. She has been cultivating these two primary passions for over twenty years.