Ep. 61: The Benefits of Bringing Yoga into School Classrooms with Brigitte Pollio

Anna Lutz and Elizabeth Davenport have a conversation with Brigitte Pollio, a yoga teacher who trains both kids and school teachers, about the ways in which yoga can be used to connect body, mind and spirit, which is beneficial for everyone, but especially children.

They discuss:

  • The benefits of yoga for children.
  • The link between yoga, the nervous system and self-regulation.
  • How yoga can promote and preserve positive body image in kids.
  • The benefit of incorporating yoga into school classrooms, and the positive effects it has on teachers. 
  • Things classroom teachers need to be aware of before introducing yoga to their students.
  • Ways parents can use yoga, breathing practices, and meditation at home with kids.

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Brigitte Pollio was introduced to yoga at an early age by her father who used to do headstands and sun salutations in their backyard.   As an adult, Brigitte was drawn to practice yoga and found that it brought strength, balance, and an overall sense of well-being into her life.  In 2006, she completed her YTT and has been teaching yoga ever since. In addition to teaching adults, Brigitte is passionate about bringing yoga to children of all ages. She has trained extensively with Radiant Child Yoga and is a qualified Ambassador Trainer and a Registered Children’s Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.  Since 2006, she has taught yoga to hundreds of children in studios, schools, and after school programs.  A long-time educator, Brigitte holds in MAT in teaching from George Washington University and has worked as a museum educator at area museums including the National Gallery of Art.  Currently, Brigitte works with the National Museum of Asian Art as a virtual museum educator for the PreK-12 education program which includes Artful Movement, an innovative experiential curriculum blending close-looking with mindful movement to build social-emotional as well as cultural competencies.  Brigitte believes that both art and yoga can be excellent ways to help us slow down and be more present in a world that seems to move faster each day.  She believes that everyone can benefit from slowing down and encourages all her students to find simple yoga and mindfulness practices to discover and cultivate inner strength, calm, focus and flexibility both on and off their mat.