Project P.E.A.C.E. Mindful Monday #7: Face to Face Communication

Good morning, and happy Monday Mahwah! We’re back with another Mindful Monday and this week, we are talking about face to face communication. While technology can help us out with our homework and other responsibilities, it isn't always the best way to communicate with other people. Talking face-to-face with another person will have a more positive effect on your mindset than simply texting them. Try to pick a day where you take communications such as your phone or Facebook out of your life and instead replace it with simply speaking in person and see the effects for yourself! Why not make that day today? Try it, Mahwah!

Here are some links regarding this principle: 

http://iancoon.blogspot.com/2013/04/technology-help-or-hindrance-to.html

http://www.ashtoncollege.com/theimportance-face-face-communication/

http://www.starmedical.co.uk/thelounge/comment/what-are-the-advantages-of-face-to-face-communication/

Enjoy the rest of the week and remember: sometimes we just have to enjoy the simple things in life!

Another reminder that Yoga will be this THURSDAY, 2/26/15, in the Cardio Room at 2:30. Hope to see you there.

Project P.E.A.C.E. Mindful Monday #6: Meditation & Breathing

Good afternoon and happy Monday! Hope everyone is enjoying his or her President’s Day break and catching up on some sleep! Anyway, this segment of Mindful Monday is in regards to meditation and breathing. Did you know that meditation can improve your left prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain most responsible for feeling happy? Focusing your breath and mind for just a few minutes a day can permanently, raise your brain’s level of happiness, and well as lower stress and improve your immune system! So today take some time out of your day and meditate by focusing your breath and relaxing. You won’t regret it!

Here are some links regarding this topic:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mindfulness-meditation-benefits-health_n_3016045.html

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858

http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-c1-meditation-20150216-story.html#page=1

Enjoy the shortened week!

REMINDER: Yoga and art therapy classes will be in session this THURSDAY, 2/19/15 from 2:30 - 3:00. Hope to see you there!

Throwback Tuesday: An Update on Yoga Events as well as Letters to 8th Graders

Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday! Today, we will be turning back the clock and updating you all on our project. This Thursday  will mark the third yoga class of the year. The first two have been quite successful thus far; students that participate really enjoy the class and have given us very strong feedback! Here are some photos that capture some of the techniques done during the class:

In addition to the yoga events, we had our Yoga Flash on the 4th of February. On behalf of the whole team as well as Ms. Van Ess , we would like to thank everyone who participated. The turnout was fabulous! We hope to see all who participated in the cardio room on Thursday!

In other news, out letters to 8th graders solution has been completed! Earlier in January, we infiltrated Freshman Advisory (with the permission of Mr. Fuchs and Ms. Cording of course) and each freshman wrote a letter to the incoming class of 2019 regarding his or her experiences at the high school.

One student decided to write a sonnet!

Once all the letters were written, it was time for us to get to work. We placed an 8th grade letter as well as our very own letter in 250 envelopes and got them ready for Mr. Gliatta so that he could distribute them to every single 8th grader.

Moreover, we sent Mr. Gliatta out introductory video so that he can show it to the 8th graders while he was down at the Ridge. The video can be accessed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdBsqWgSFqE

Mr. Gliatta met with the 8th graders on the 5th of February and it was a huge success!

Well, that does it for us, enjoy the rest of your day!

Project P.E.A.C.E. Mindful Monday #5: The Ripple Effect

Good morning, students and faculty, and happy Monday! On this segment of Mindful Monday, we are talking about the ripple effect. Did you know that human behavior is contagious? Research has proven that much of our habits, attitudes, and actions spread through a complicated web of connections to infect those around us- sort of like a ripple effect. For instance, if a boss comes into a meeting filled with anger, within minutes the aura of the meeting will be negative. Fortunately, the ripple effect may also spread positive energy. With something as simple as a smile or good posture, you will be releasing chemicals that make you happy, which in turn will stimulate happiness to others around you. So, Mahwah, take a moment now to think of something positive in your life and let out a smile!

Here are some links regarding the ripple effect:

http://asq.sagepub.com/content/47/4/644.abstract

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201102/the-rippling-effect

Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your week!

Project P.E.A.C.E. Mindful Monday #4: The Spacing Effect

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and happy Monday! On this segment of Mindful Monday, we are talking about the spacing effect (those who take A.P. Psychology with Mrs. Rosen know what I’m talking about).Do you have a large goal you want to accomplish, but have no idea how to start doing it? Or maybe you have so much to do in a day that you have no idea how you are going to get it all done? The way to accomplish your goal and keep your sanity is to divide your workload into smaller, more manageable steps. These steps should be just small enough that you can do them effectively and just large enough that you feel accomplished after doing them. That way, you’ll get your work done with the least amount of stress!

Leslie studied the same number of hours as Lee Ann and Nora, but since she broke it down over 8 days, she retained the most information. This can be seen through her test grade. 

Here are some links about the spacing effect:

http://www.knowledgefactor.com/sites/default/files/The%20Spacing%20Effect.pdf

http://www.knowledgefactor.com/sites/default/files/The%20Spacing%20Effect.pdf

http://andrewvs.blogs.com/usu/files/the_spacing_effect.pdf

Thank you and stay safe during this snowstorm!

Yoga Event UPDATE: Infiltration of Gym Warm-Ups

Hello everyone! Last week, we took a huge step forward in regards to our yoga event. We were lucky enough to have Ms. Van Ess, the Business and History Supervisor of Mahwah Schools and a certified yoga instructor, infiltrate every physical education class and go through some yoga exercises with all the students. Everyone in each gym class participated in these exercises as this was their warm-up for the day (as opposed to the usual running) While she was going through the routine with the period 8 gym class, Ms. Van Ess had several guests assist her...(take a guess who)

Rob performing an exercise in very interesting yoga attire

Look at that form!

The routine that Ms. Van Ess went through will be the same routine that will be performed during an event that will occur shortly within the next two weeks. I cannot say more about that event so stay tuned!

Project P.E.A.C.E. Mindful Monday #3: Perseverance

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and happy Monday! This week’s Mindful Monday deals with something everyone has had to endure in his or her lifetime - adversity. Nelson Mandela once said, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” What Mandela Means is that in order to succeed, we must get up every time we fall, and we must learn how to take our failures and turn them into successes. There is something to learn from every mistake, so try to recover from them and you’ll come out a better person!  

Here are some links about perseverance:

http://www.essentiallifeskills.net/overcoming-adversity.html

http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/sports/700club_tonydungy100906.aspx

http://www.exploregod.com/how-to-overcome-adversity

Thank you, and enjoy the day off!

REMINDER: Our free yoga class begins this THURSDAY 1/22 in the cardio room at 2:30. Be sure to sign up during lunch or after school!