Yoga in Schools

Rainbow Kids at Dickson

Creative Affirmations at Dickson Elementary by Katrina Woodworth

In November, as a part of the Mind-Body Tools workshops at Dickson Elementary School, I presented on the power of using affirmations in the classroom. If we were to see our daily thoughts broadcast across a TV screen, what might we notice about the messages we are telling ourselves? Are they encouraging or discouraging; empowering or defeating? The act of creating an affirmation is a declaration of intent. Un-examined intentions influence our behavior and performance. Learning give ourselves positive messages can lead to changes in our mood, behaviors and performance. To put theory into practice, the teachers learned the Rainbow Affirmation Song. It goes like this:

Red, I'm Strong
Orange, I'm happy
Yellow, I know I can
Green, I'm caring
Blue, I tell the truth
Indigo, I'm smart
Violet, I'm understanding...I'm a Rainbow.

I gave the teachers instructions to make an origami rainbow book to go with the Rainbow Song. I was overjoyed when I came to visit Dickson a month later and saw that Mrs. Fisher and her second grade class had created these beautiful rainbow bodies and affirmations. Way to go Mrs. Fisher.