By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – A local yoga studio is seeking to arm teachers with positive mental health practices that can be brought into the classroom.

Sarah Nannen, owner of Renkon Yoga in Bloomington, told WJBC’s Sam Wood yoga operates as a way to remain mindful and aware of your surroundings and feelings – which can be powerful tools in a school.

“The idea of this was that we’re arming teachers, educators, with yoga and mindful practices for themselves so that they can be really present in their classrooms, but also so that they can teach them to their students,” said Nannen.

Nannen advises not to bottle up emotions, but rather recognize and embrace them. She explained if teachers take that lesson and bring it into the classroom, students can develop healthy practices when they feel strong emotions.

“Can we bring into the classroom these mindfulness practices – to help kids develop some emotional intelligence, to help kids develop some communication skills, so they can actually notice what they notice about how they are feeling when they feel angry,” said Nannen.

Nannen said there is a greater chance of maintaining a level head by being mindful of one’s emotions.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].