136. The Why & How of Mindful Movement in the Classroom

Struggling with classroom management?One powerful solution is teaching emotional regulation through yoga and mindfulness! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we interview Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, to explore how yoga and mindfulness can help students self-regulate and manage their behaviors in the classroom.We dive into:- What kids yoga is and how it differs from adult yoga- Fun and engaging ways to teach yoga and mindfulness to kids and teens- How to use yoga for emotional regulation and improve classroom behavior- Tips for bringing mindfulness and yoga into your classroom in a way that kids will love- Simple steps for preparing to teach yoga and mindfulness at schoolBy the end of this episode, you'll have practical strategies and no-prep ideas to start using yoga and mindfulness for better classroom management and emotional regulation right away!

Are you a new teacher feeling overwhelmed by the demands of the classroom?Wondering how to avoid burnout and find balance? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we’re joined by Alisha, a seasoned educator and co-host of the Rainbow Skies for New Teachers podcast. Together, we dive into the most common challenges new teachers face and offer practical strategies to help you manage stress, prevent teacher burnout, and thrive during your first year.Alisha shares:- Key tips for managing classroom stress and maintaining work-life balance- How to set realistic expectations and avoid overwhelm as a new teacher- Practical self-care strategies for teachers to prevent burnout- Advice on building a supportive network and staying motivated throughout the school yearIf you're a new teacher looking for support and guidance, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed and avoid burnout in your teaching journey.

Are you struggling with teacher burnout and finding it hard to balance work and life?It’s time to reclaim your personal time and reduce overwhelm! In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we sit down with Shawna Lapointe, teacher, entrepreneur, and mom of four, to learn practical strategies for achieving a healthier work-life balance and preventing burnout.Shawna shares:The key question to ask yourself to maintain balance in both your work and personal lifeTime management tips for completing all your work during contractual hours—no grading or planning at home!Simple meal prep ideas to save time and reduce stress around cooking and cleaningHow to reduce burnout and focus on what matters most: quality time with family and friendsBy the end of this episode, you’ll be armed with actionable strategies to manage your time more effectively, prevent teacher burnout, and create a healthier work-life balance.

Winter is the perfect time to bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into your classroom.In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we explore winter-themed mindfulness activities that help promote self-regulation and improve classroom management. Whether you're teaching elementary or high school students, these no-prep winter mindfulness activities are perfect for creating a calm and focused environment.In this episode, we cover:- 10 seasonal mindfulness activities for students of all grades- Breathing exercises that promote calmness and self-regulation- How to incorporate mindfulness in winter to reduce stress and enhance focus- Concrete, no-prep ideas you can start using right away!These easy-to-implement winter activities are a great way to help students stay grounded and focused as the season shifts. Plus, we’ll show you how mindfulness practices can boost social-emotional learning (SEL) and promote emotional well-being in and out of the classroom.

Looking for Simple Mindfulness Activities for Your Classroom?Mindful coloring is one of the easiest and most effective ways to help students practice self-regulation and improve classroom management. In this practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we dive into the benefits of mindful coloring for kids—plus, we’ve got a special treat for you: free coloring pages to use in your classroom!We cover the what, why, and how of using mindful coloring in your classroom, giving you concrete, no-prep ideas that you can implement immediately to boost student focus and calm

Feeling Stressed and Overwhelmed as a Teacher?If the start of the school year has left you feeling burnt out, this episode is for you! In today’s The Balanced Educator Podcast, we chat with Grace Stevens, a former VP who transitioned into teaching to help educators like you feel less stressed and more empowered.With 20 years of classroom experience and a background in behavioral therapy and positive psychology, Grace combines science-based habits with her signature mantra, “Your energy teaches more than your lesson plans,” to help overwhelmed teachers create positive, stress-free routines. She’s also the author of three books, including the best-seller Positive Mindset Habits for Teachers.Tune in as we explore the 5 key habits of the least stressed, most empowered educators, and set yourself up for a successful and fulfilling school year!

Struggling with Off-Task or Distracted Students in Your Classroom?If you're finding it difficult to keep students focused and engaged, you're not alone. Distractions and lack of focus can be a major challenge in K-12 classrooms. But don't worry—help is here!In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we walk you through a simple, no-prep lesson plan designed to teach your students focus strategies in a clear, systematic way. Not only will this improve classroom management, but it will also help students develop essential skills like self-regulation and problem-solving.Just as we can't expect students to learn how to read without guidance, we also can't expect them to learn how to focus on their own. It's our job as educators to give them the tools they need to succeed.

Feeling overwhelmed by the stress your students face?In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, mindfulness expert Lindsay Miller shares practical strategies to help kids manage stress and build resilience. With over 20 years of child development experience, Lindsay guides us through identifying stress symptoms in children and offers proven tools for emotion regulation, social-emotional learning (SEL), and mindfulness.Listen now to learn how mindfulness can improve kids' emotional well-being and create a balanced, calm classroom.

Struggling with Student Behaviour? It Could Be Your Stress Affecting the Whole Classroom!In this episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, Kailey dives into the neurobiology behind why emotions are contagious and how they impact both teacher and student behaviour. You’ll learn how emotions serve as a form of communication, both internally and interpersonally, and how you can harness this understanding to improve your classroom dynamics.Kailey shares practical strategies to create a social-emotional teaching plan that helps everyone—students and teachers—prepare their brains and bodies for effective learning. This whole-brain teaching routine will not only help you manage behaviour more effectively but will also boost academic success in your classroom.By the end of this episode, you’ll have actionable strategies to improve your classroom management, behaviour management, and emotional intelligence—all while creating a calmer, more productive environment for both you and your students.

Need a Quick and Effective Way to Get Students Ready for Learning? Try This Calm Classroom Strategy!In this quick and practical episode of The Balanced Educator Podcast, we share a simple self-regulation strategy that helps create a calm, focused, and respectful classroom environment—perfect for getting your students ready to learn in just 5 minutes!We understand how busy every school day can be, so this easy-to-teach strategy is designed to fit seamlessly into your routine. It’s a tried-and-true method that will help students transition into learning mode, ensuring they’re ready for academics.You’ll leave this episode with everything you need to implement this calm classroom activity immediately, plus extra free resources to make it even easier to use with your K-12 students.