A Mindful Akashian

Lauren Murphy Akashian (ah-KAY-shin), EdD, is an educator seeking to build a community of teachers who share their ideas for incorporating mindfulness into their classrooms.

Make any occasion a Mindful Akashian

Mindfulness Monday: Candlelight Visualization Activity

For today’s activity, I gave each student a battery operated tea light candle. I put a snowy cabin scene from YouTube on the SMART Board. I asked students to imagine that the candle represents something important to them, a friend, a loved one or some one they have lost. We Took a few moments to hold space for them and enjoy the cabin scene. A more advanced option would be for students to close their eyes and the teacher could read the script I have included. If you give this a try, let me know how it goes!

Materials Needed:

• LED candles (safe for classroom use)

• Soft winter-themed instrumental music (optional)

• Blank paper and pens/pencils (for reflection)

Activity Steps:

1. Setting the Mood: Dim the lights and place the LED candles around the room to create a calming, cozy winter ambiance. Play soft instrumental music, such as piano or nature sounds like wind and snow falling.

2. Guided Visualization:

• Have students sit comfortably with their eyes closed or gazing softly at the flickering candlelight.

• Lead them through a calming winter visualization, such as:

“Imagine you’re walking through a quiet winter forest. The ground is blanketed in fresh snow. You hear the soft crunch of your footsteps, the faint rustle of trees, and the distant call of a bird. Notice how the cold air feels on your skin and the warmth of your coat. As you walk, you come across a cozy cabin with smoke curling from the chimney. You step inside, feeling the warmth of the fire, and take a moment to just sit and enjoy the stillness.”

3. Silent Reflection: After the visualization, give students a few minutes to sit quietly and reflect on how they feel. Encourage them to notice any sensations or thoughts without judgment.

4. Journaling or Drawing: Provide students with paper and pens/pencils. Ask them to write or draw about their experience. Prompts can include:

• What did you notice during the visualization?

• What feelings or thoughts came up for you?

• What does “warmth” mean to you during the winter season?

5. Group Discussion (Optional): Invite students to share their experiences or reflections if they feel comfortable.


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