Remote Kimberley schools implement new yoga and mindfulness programs into curriculum

A customised yoga and mindfulness program is being implemented in the curriculum of some of the Kimberley’s most remote schools to improve the wellbeing and social-emotional health of students. Mindful Hearts, part of Yogazeit’s Aboriginal Outreach Programming, is a custom-fit educational program that incorporates culturally relevant resources and activities to build resilience and reduce vulnerability in remote regional areas of the Kimberley. The program has been delivered to four schools and communities so far, including Wangkatjungka Remote Community School, which saw students illustrate activity cards for other schools to use, and Aboriginal and Islander education officers shared the exercises after the consultation period with a local suicide-prevention group. “It makes me feel proud to see the Mindful Movement resources, and I’m feeling very grateful and happy because I can see my language written on the cards,” Wangkatjungka Remote Community School AIEO Kerry Anne said. “Yoga helps inside of your body — it helps when we feel stressed or we want to calm down.” Yogazeit works directly with the Indigenous community to ensure Aboriginal and Islander education officers, elders and children see their language in the classroom while also incorporating yoga and mindfulness brain breaks. Aboriginal Outreach Lead Sharnell Avery said yarning — a way of sharing knowledge — was an important part of the consultation. “We take time to listen and learn about a community’s unique strengths and challenges,” she said. “We saw community members begin independently sharing the activities at local community events and to other mobs in the wider region immediately after our first consultation, so it’s no surprise to see the strength of our program some 18 months later.”