BREATHING exercises, stretching and meditation are all part of an experimental curriculum that will be piloted at 10 schools across Bahrain.

The “Mindfulness at Schools” initiative targets pupils aged 12 to 14 and aims to create a more positive learning environment.

It will commence this semester and involves 12 lessons over three months, which include exercises to help children overcome stress and anxiety – and lead sustainable, healthy lifestyles.

“The curriculum aims to help students get rid of negative habits and toxic behaviours, give them a greater ability to listen and communicate more effectively, be more focused and also improve their academic achievements,” said Fatima Al Mansoori, who is spearheading the programme.

“It is about transforming education by introducing Mindfulness at Schools to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for our youth through educational opportunities that are relevant for the realities, demands and requirements of the 21st Century.

“My aim and hope is to actually introduce it officially as a curriculum, as so far we only got approval to do it as a programme.

“But I don’t want it to be a one-off programme because it’s very much needed.

“This is a very important part of sports that has to be implemented in a long-term, sustainable way because of the its benefits.

“It is mind and body exercises that can be implemented in the classroom – you don’t have to go to the sports hall.

“Implementing exercises in the classroom itself to maintain a healthy mind and body, rather than just sticking to the idea that sports should be just in the sports hall.”

Ms Al Mansoori is an integrated health and community well-being consultant at Al Hilal Hospital, an adjunct professor of human consciousness and yogic sciences at Mangalore University and a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Ambassador.

She has worked on the project in collaboration with Mindfulness Schools Ireland, the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry.

A total of 250 students at 10 government schools will take part in the pilot phase and the results will be evaluated by staff at Princess Al Jawhara Al Ibrahim Centre for Molecular Medicine, Genetics and Inherited Disorders (ACMID) at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU).

Fourteen teachers who will lead the classes have already received training from Ms Al Mansoori and Mindfulness Schools Ireland founder James White.

The classes will commence as soon as all parents of participating children have signed consent forms.

Ms Al Mansoori, who has battled chronic illness, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, was inspired to launch the initiative after witnessing first hand the benefits of leading a healthier lifestyle.

Assessment of the course is also being conducted by child psychologist Child Foundation Centre founder Mariam Al Ammadi.

“I feel that life has really changed and has become faster paced,” said Ms Al Ammadi.

“Everything is fast, even for our children. I feel it’s become really difficult for them to slow down.

“Anxiety is a big epidemic in Bahrain, whether it is social anxiety or self-confidence issues. I would like this (course) to have some kind of impact on anxiety.

“When you have the tools to control it yourself, it makes such a big difference and I love that we are teaching that to children at a young age.”

reem@gdn.com.bh