Liceo Nº 2 – Molino Viejo

Sala Inglés

September, 2011

According to neuroscientist, Dr Shanida Nataraja westerners use the left hemisphere of their brain too much.

The left hemisphere is associated with analytical, rational and logical processing, where as the right hemisphere is associated with abstract thought, non verbal awareness, visual and spatial perception and the expression and modulation of emotions.

In the western world, most individuals navigate through their everyday life in a fashion dominated by left brain thinking. Missing out on right brain activity results in too much thinking going on: too much frantic doing, not enough time being.

By engaging our right brain we activate the

parasympathetic nervous system (as opposed

to the adrenaline releasing sympathetic

system).

More parasympathetic activity means less

stress and therefore better health.

Less

stress!!!!Better

Health!!

!!!

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/changing-

life-meditation-13574232#.Tl0ITDJ4V6E.facebook

As humans we are often "not present" in our

own lives. We often fail to notice the good

things about our lives, fail to hear what our

bodies are telling us.

Becoming more aware of our thoughts,

feelings and sensations may not sound like an

obviously helpful thing to do, however

learning to do this in a way that suspends

judgement and self-criticism can have an

incredibly positive impact on our lives.

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to,

and seeing clearly whatever is happening in

our lives.

It will not eliminate life's pressures, but it

can help us respond to them in a calmer

manner that benefits our heart, mind, and

body.

It helps us recognise and step away from

habitual, often unconscious emotional and

physiological reactions to everyday events.

It provides us with a scientifically researched

approach to cultivating clarity, insight, and

understanding.

Practicing

mindfulness

allows us to be

fully present in

our life and

work and

improve our

When practicing mindfulness, everyone, however much they practice, will experience thoughts creeping in to their heads uninvited. This is fine - its just what brains do, but how we respond to these thoughts is important.

If we start to think about the thought, or get annoyed with ourselves for not being able to retain our focus, it stops us paying attention and takes us away from the present moment. If we just acknowledge the thought and let it go without judgement, we retain our focus on being in the present moment.

As with all new skills, the more we practice it, the easier it becomes.

The practice of

mindfulness helps us

to recognise and

observe our thought

patterns.

Practitioners develop

the ability to

recognise when

thoughts arise, and

observe them in a

Recognise, slow down or

stop automatic and habitual

reactions.

Respond more effectively

to complex or difficult

situations.

See situations more clearly

Become more creative

Achieve balance and resilience

at work and at home

The pressures on classroom teachers have become so great that few teachers are able to find time for sustained reflection and modification of one's teaching in the company of one's peers.

Mindfulness is a term that is used in a variety of forms in different philosophical and religious traditions. We use the term to denote heightened awareness of the choices that teachers make and their consequences for pupil learning.