Stilling

Students are guided to learn how to be still

Preparing the room

To get the most out of the visualisations students need to be in a relatively quiet environment where they will not be disturbed. Silence is not necessary (and probably not possible in a school!) but it may be an idea to choose your time slot carefully avoiding noisy interruptions. A 'Do Not Disturb' sign for the door may be a good idea - I was never short of a willing volunteer given a felt tip pen and a piece of scrap paper. Try to secure at least 10 minutes of undisturbed time while the students go into the 'zone'.

Preparing your students

Right posture and breathing also determine how effective the exercise will be. Before the visualisation ask the students to sit upright so they are 'alert and relaxed' rather than slouched and sleepy. Encourage them to relax their shoulders and breathe from the abdomen rather than the chest. Counting initially will help establish a deep, slow rhythm that is akin to the natural, relaxed state. I have added the Stilling Audio file to each unit for your convenience, but you may prefer to settle the class yourself. Because the mind works by association, with repetition over time children will get into the habit of going into a state of stillness with just a few simple prompts.