Howbridge Junior School
The Inclusive Yoga Project spent the day at Howbridge Junior School delivering a Yoga & Mental Wellbeing workshop to every pupil. The workshop was provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of Blake Dental in Witham, who wanted to help local children learn skills that support their wellbeing.
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From the moment the first class walked in, it was clear how curious and open the pupils were to learn and experience new things. Throughout the sessions we explored a range of different yoga activities, in a way that children could really connect with. Rather than simply being told information, pupils were invited to interact and practise simple techniques they could use in everyday life.
One of my favourite parts of the workshop was watching the children gradually slow down and connect with their breath through a range of simple breathing exercises. As the session unfolded, they became wonderfully creative; exploring yoga poses, playful movements and partner poses that encouraged connection and trust. By the end, they were able to fully relax, lying down quietly with their eyes closed, giving themselves a moment of stillness.
With the slightly older year groups, we also introduced a simple explanation of the parasympathetic nervous system. We talked about how this part of the body helps us rest, relax and recover, and how slow, steady breathing can help activate it. The pupils were fascinated to learn that through something as simple as their breath, they can help their bodies calm down and feel more settled.
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Pupil’s Voice
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“I liked when we did the 5-finger breathing because when I did it I felt relaxed and calm”
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“I learnt that when we put our hand on our ears and do mmmm we can sound like a bee, and I learnt what namaste means”
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“I liked taking deep breaths, and I learnt that when I am angry or sad just sit and take a deep breath and calm down”
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“I learnt yoga poses can be done with 2 people, I liked laying down at the end and I feel calmer”
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“I learnt different ways of breathing today and I liked bee breathing and bear hugging a tree, I feel calm”
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“I liked the stretching that I did today”
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“When I am angry I know to take a breath, I feel relaxed after this class today”
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“I liked some time to meditate and be energetic, I learnt you don’t have to always be calm, I feel calmer after meditation today”
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Teachers in the session said:
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“Lovely workshop which the children enjoyed”
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“It was a calm engaging activity that included all abilities”
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“I really enjoyed joining in with the children and found it very relaxing, and all the children were really engaged with the session”
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“Everyone was really engaged. Fantastic for children and staff”
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“Calm and inclusive atmosphere, where all children were engaged. Activities were pitched perfectly to the year group taking part”
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“Workshop was age-appropriate, calming and informative, well-paced and children enjoyed”
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“Workshop was very relaxing. Children were engaged throughout”
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“A great workshop where children could relax using a variety of methods and poses”
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“I think the workshop was useful, the children liked that it was interactive”
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“The instructor, Nikki, was excellent, she managed the group well and in a relatively short space of time allowed the children to experience a lot”
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Teachers reported back a month later:
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“'My class have incorporated some yoga strategies as part of our 'cool down' sessions to end P.E lessons. This helps them to feel calm and ready to continue their learning when they return to class. Thank you!”
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Miss Preece (Class Teacher)
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“My class absolutely loved the yoga session that we were able to take part in. The children have really benefited from using some of the relaxation techniques that we looked at. Whenever the class are feeling slightly overwhelmed, we use some of the breathing techniques that we looked at. It helps the children but also me as the teacher!”
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Miss Norton (Class Teacher)
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“Nikki from The Inclusive Yoga Project delivered sessions that were suited for students on all levels. She created a positive, calming environment where the children engaged and more importantly, had fun!
The transition from first contact to delivering sessions was seamless. Would highly recommend using Nikki at The Inclusive Yoga Project.”
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Mrs Alger (Therapeutic Pastoral Manager)
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We are incredibly grateful to Blake Dental in Witham for making this workshop possible. Their support meant that every child in the school could take part, helping to remove barriers and ensuring all pupils had access to these powerful daily tools. In total 354 students were taught Yoga & Mental Wellbeing skills during this visit.
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Bringing Workshops to More Schools
We believe every child should have the chance to learn skills that support their wellbeing, confidence and emotional understanding.
If your school would like to host a workshop, or if you are a local organisation interested in sponsoring a workshop for a school in your community, we would love to hear from you.
