Mindful Relaxation and Movement through Creativity for Preschoolers

Renee Bowman is a Yoga Alliance Certified 95 Hour Kids, Teen and Toddler Yoga Teacher. Renee taught first grade for 32 years for East Central and Easton Valley School Districts (1 more year in 3rd Grade at EC). She retired in 2024 and now teach with Challenge to Change as a Mindfulness Education in the Classroom Instructor. I served Bellevue Elementary, Andrew Elementary, Bowman Woods Elementary, and Hazel Point Intermediate schools this past school year.

Mindfulness is "paying attention to the present moment with acceptance and non judgement." (Growing Up Mindful by Christopher Willard, PSYD)

We often think about what has already happened in the past, which can lead to sadness or depression; or what may happen in the future, which can lead to anxiety. Practicing mindfulness helps to keep our mind in the present moment. I teach it as something we do to keep our smart brains healthy, just like we do intentional things to keep our bodies healthy.

For ToddlerPreK, lessons have 7 shortened parts of practice:

Part One: Seated Practice (we connect our breath, I usually use mudras to help them "connect our smart minds, to our kind hearts and calm our bodies for learning”)

Part Two: Movement (Sun Salutations/yoga)

Part Three: Heart of the Lesson (learning target for the lesson, I like to use books here most of the time)

Part Four: Creative Expression (it can be movement, a game/activity or art work to go along with the heart of the lesson)

Part Five: Cooling Down (some type of breathwork to transition from the Creative Expression to Guided Mindfulness)

Part Six: Guided Mindfulness "Nap" (learning how to be still and in the present moment, it can be music or soft "storytelling" and students can sit or lie down)

Part Seven:Seal/Close of Practice

Attend four Saturdays this summer. Each day 9:30-10:15 AM:
June 21, June 28, July 12, & July 19

For more information, visit: https://maquoketa-art.org/event/mindful-relaxation-and-movement-through-creativity-for-preschoolers-5/ for more information

Click here to register: https://maquoketa-art.org/product/mindful-relaxation-and-movement-through-creativity-for-preschoolers-2025/

You may also like the following events from Maquoketa Art Experience:

• This Thursday, 26th June, 03:30 pm, Eastern Iowa Art Society Monthly Meeting in Maquoketa
• This September, 13th September, 10:00 am, Vendors & Crafters Needed | Fall Indoor Craft Show in Maquoketa
• This October, 11th October, 09:00 am, Pastel Painting Workshop | Tom Christopher Instructor in Maquoketa

Also check out other Arts events in Maquoketa, Kids events & activities in Maquoketa, Health & Wellness events in Maquoketa.