Photo by Joel Fulgencio on Unsplash
And we are back.
As I have shared before, I find coming back after a long break disorienting. The switching gears back into school mode requires me to find where I was with my lesson plans, remember the few students whose work I haven’t graded yet and who will need special attention, and reconnect with my routines that have fallen to the wayside during my sweet disconnect.
When I was sorting through some of the backlog of grading on Sunday, I came across this reflection from one of my students:
Consistent yoga practice has allowed me space to re-establish perspective. Some days I'm so caught up in all the things I know I need to be doing I feel I don't have time to breath... lately when I set up my mat and begin moving I'm able to focus on what is at hand and often re-evaluate what honestly should be my top priority - calming down in order to focus and plan those tasks that seem to be out of control. Guided physical movement that forces me to focus my attention - working my brain and body in such a different way than I normally do - has allowed me to be more aware, calm, and ultimately more happy.
These sweet words have served as a reminder to prioritize the things that are most important to me, even as I struggle to begin again. In what way do I want to show up for my students? What perspective and I attempting to re-establish as I reenter the classroom? What can I do to embody the presence, calm, and strength that will help my students continue to grow?
Just asking the question helps me re-establish perspective and feel more ready to dive back in.