On Tuesday, July 7, I will embark on a journey across the world. (Here's a picture of Kim getting ready to leave!). My travels and Fund for Teachers Fellowship are taking me to India where I will learn how yoga is being used in schools to benefit students with autism. I am hoping to gain some new ideas on how to incorporate breathing, meditation, and stretching in the daily routine of my classroom in order to make relaxation and fitness a part of my students daily activities.

I have been teaching students with autism from 9 years both in the suburbs and Chicago, as well as overseas in Japan. I have also been practicing yoga on and off since my college days. I have found for myself that yoga helps me calm anxiety, focus, and relax. It has also improved my strength and flexibility. I believe that if I incorporate regular yoga practice in my classroom, I might help my students to find a way to calm their own anxieties and improve their overall fitness levels.
During my travels, I plan on not only learning about how yoga is used in schools for students with autism, but I will also take pictures and obtain artifacts that I can use with my students when I return. Through photographs, music, clothing, games, maps, and food, I will help my students better connect to India through their senses. Bringing items back to share with my students will help them to experience a bit of India without ever leaving Chicago!
Throughout this journey, I am sure to grow both personally and professionally. I look forward to meeting and collaborating with Indian teachers and hope to build partnerships with them that will continue past my visit. I hope to learn about India and yoga and expect to be inspired with many ideas to bring back to school in the fall.