‘Mindfulness’ class coming to Elizabeth Forward

By Christine Haines
chaines@yourmvi.com

A middle school gym teacher in the Elizabeth Forward School district has landed a grant to promote joyful and creative learning.
The $2,500 grant from the Allegheny County Intermediate Unit will cover Kristy Kivador’s tuition to become a certified yoga instructor through the Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh.
“I had gone before for mindfulness and this adds movement to that,” Kivador said.
Kivador and another teacher, Missy Benedict, started the mindfulness program at the high school last year. When Kivador was reassigned to the middle school this year, she started the program as a gym option at the middle school as well.
“We’re using diaphragmatic breathing. It helps them deal with anxiety and depression and other big emotions,” Kivador said. “Down the road I want this to go to the elementary and get the teachers on board. If they know it in kindergarten, they will grow with it.”
Kivador said the program teaches children how their minds work and utilizes breathing and movement to help them deal with their emotions. It is not teaching a philosophy or religion.
Kivador said she will start the program with her eighth grade students in January.

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