Tai Chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction in a Boston Public Middle School.
This article provides a description of a clinical project that used combined Tai Chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction as an educational program. The 5-week program demonstrated that sustained interest in this material in middle school-aged boys and girls is possible. Statements the boys and girls made in the process suggested that they experienced well-being, calmness, relaxation, improved sleep, less reactivity, increased self-care, self-awareness, and a sense of interconnection or interdependence with nature. The curriculum is described in detail for nurses, teachers, and counselors who want to replicate this type of instruction for adolescent children. This project infers that Tai Chi and mindfulness-based stress reduction may be transformational tools that can be used in educational programs appropriate for middle school-aged children. Recommendations are made for further study in schools and other pediatric settings.
Wall
Robert B
RB
wall.r@comcast.net
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012573:School Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012648:Self Care; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D026302:Tai Ji / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014504:Urban Health