FLOW (Future Leaders of West Hartford) Grant: Move, Breathe, Smile--Connect, Relax and Feel Better
- School Year: 2019-2020
- Applicants: Robert Felekey, Lead Teacher & Erin Rauseo, Dave Masters, Laura Wilson
- School: King Philip Middle School
- Subjects: Physical Health Education, Science, Other
Michael Dauria, through decades of research and practice, has developed the Move, Breathe and Smile Program which distills the active ingredients of Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Sun Do and other contemplative practices. His unique program has proven beneficial to thousands of participants in a variety of settings in the community. Based on National Institutes of Health research, his program will be delivered in physical education and health classes at King Philip Middle School appropriate point in the curriculum where stress, stress management and social emotional balance are being discussed. He will spend 2 full days leading students in Move, Breathe, and Smile classes on dates determined by the physical education and health 8th grade teachers to reach over 300 students. He has demonstrated that students will notice that they feel better after just 40 minutes. Physical education and health teachers will use the experience to discuss many aspects of their curriculum. Students will experience a set of physical and mental skills that they can employ throughout their lives. These same skills and practices can have an immediate positive benefit to their education and well being.