My Space Within is a mobile, student centered program, teaching movement and mindful yoga activities through music. This program engages students from infants to elementary, and high school focusing on all areas of the students’ physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth and well being.
This program is designed to strengthen all areas of the child's development which is key in keeping in balance and harmony with their authentic self. I strongly believe that a balanced and harmonized inner self of a student is a happy student which is the key to inner peace. Let's meet on the mat where we can create endless opportunities, build strong everlasting connections, develop a wholesome and meaningful approach for success and celebrate their accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Guide
Children are in an environment that is safe and fun which is what our yoga classes are about. Fun, fun and more fun
Welcome Song and Sharing
- Beginning with a warm welcome and an opportunity for students to share their thoughts and how they are feeling in the moment.
Breathing Exercises
- Various breathing techniques are demonstrated and practiced. Numerous tools will be available for students to visualize and work with.
Shake and Bake
- Energize the students with fun physical activities that involve shaking and moving their bodies with upbeat music.
Yoga Fun Stuff
- Explore playful and engaging yoga poses tailored for students to strengthen their muscles and improve flexibility.
Games/Group Work
- Foster teamwork and creativity through interactive games and group activities that are age-appropriate and fun filled.
Reflections and Positive Thoughts
- Conclude with reflections, sharing of positive affirmations, and guided meditation.
Namaste, Appreciation and It’s Time to Say Goodbye
- Namaste with heartfelt appreciation and it's time to say goodbye.
ABOUT ME
My name is Salima Dhanani
I have been in the field of education for over 24 years, facilitating, owning and teaching in various educational institutions. I am a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) and Montessori trained. I have my Reiki 1 and 2 designation and I am a qualified Children’s Yoga instructor. I come with a lot of experience teaching students of all ages.
My Journey
Lockdown during COVID brought about many changes and uncertainty. I had the opportunity to contemplate the positive and negative changes the world faced. I especially noticed how the situation had impacted the students and how they struggled with navigating life. This can be a challenge as students are still young and may not have enough life experience and tools to better able to cope.
Looking back throughout my teaching career I had noticed that students could have been better supported and shown ways of coping, self regulating and managing their emotions with proper tools and techniques to understand what they could be going through. After having the opportunity to research and develop strategies I shifted my interest from academic and focused on other areas of growth helping students with tools to succeed. What a difference that made. It’s been a joy to see the positive impact that has been evident when working with students for just a short period of time.
I am truly excited to provide the students with the necessary tools for success.
SERVICES
When I’m not teaching Music, Movement and Mindfulness yoga I teach the following:
Private Academic Tutoring
- My focus when teaching English includes writing skills, reading, spelling and comprehension. I provide the expertise to help them excel academically making the lesson fun, challenging, motivating and very engaging for my students giving them the confidence to master the skill.
Chair Yoga for Everyone
- I also enjoy teaching adults/ participants who may have minimal physical mobility. I incorporate stationary chair yoga and mindfulness activities working on various body parts for all individual with all abilities. The movements are gentle and easy to follow with calm music and breathing activities. Programs are tailored made to suit the individual participants and their abilities. I cater to all ages and abilities focusing on all areas of development including their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being.
Mindfulness
- I provide techniques to learn to focus. I take the participants of all ages through a guided meditation incorporating breathe work and lastly moving into relaxing the body. My logo symbol means Shanti, and Shanti means inner peace. This is my sincere wish for all my participants.
BENEFITS
Learn to Meditate
Enhances calmness and clarity
Learn to Manage Emotions
Builds emotional resilience
Improve Focus
Increases concentration and attention
Boosts Physical Health
Improves flexibility and strength
Art of Being Mindful
Fosters present-moment awareness
Improve Sleep
Promotes restful and deep sleep
Develop Meaningful Relationships
Cultivates empathy and connection
Enhances Creativity
Sparks imagination and innovation
TESTIMONIALS
I have been privileged to work with Salima in a professional capacity for the last 5 years at the Oxford Learning Centre where she has been my direct supervisor and mentor. During this period of time, Salima has gone above and beyond to provide me with the highest quality of training. This enabled me to perform the day-to-day tasks effectively and allowed me to manage the centre for her in the most efficient manner. Her rapport with the staff, parents and students was second to none and her kind and caring nature have been of the utmost pleasure to work with. As the centre owner, she delegated tasks efficiently and provided positive leadership support. This was exhibited through the interactive training workshops which she conducted regularly coupled with performing timely teacher observations so that staff could effectively utilize their strengths to become successful teachers. As an educator, Salima is able to build strong and positive relations with students allowing them to foster a love of learning to reach their highest academic potential. She is able to personalize their learning experience by differentiating the resources and style of teaching based on the needs of each individual. She is able to intrinsically motivate students and consistently reinforces praise to celebrate their achievements. Salima’s dedication and commitment combined with her strong interpersonal and team working skills will make her an asset in the success of your organization.
Through her years at Town Centre, Ms. Dhanani has proven to be an exceptional addition to our teaching and supply staff and well-respected by our school community. She has been able to learn and adapt to our school environment, policies, and procedures. She is a team-player who is always willing to extend her hand to teachers in need. She conducts herself with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism. Ms. Dhanani has consistently accepted supply opportunities when called upon and continues to come to work with her positive attitude and warm presence.
Salima has an amazing, compassionate, warm, fun and welcoming personality. You see this in the student’s expressions when she is teaching them about mindfulness. The techniques she uses get the students engaged. She sends out such a positive vibe that only comes from mindfulness.
Salima led an afterschool club program for our Preschool to Grade 3 students for two terms during the 2023-24 school year. Her program was creative, fun and engaging for the students! Salima is kind and actively engages students in every activity, each student was excited and couldn't wait to attend the yoga & movement club each week. We loved the variety of activities as the students are quite young so keeping the students engaged is important. Salima adapted the activities to the children's interests and needs, and added a variety of different activities from yoga, to movement, to songs, to dance and more where students can actively participate.
Ms. Salima Dhanani introduced her Yoga program in my school a year ago and students of various ages (from 18 months to 10 years) love her classes. Each class is engaging and interesting, providing an ample variety of activities and exercises. Ms. Dhanani is always organized, calm, and has a positive attitude that brings out the best in students and encourages them to follow her instructions with enthusiasm. I am very happy to have Ms. Dhanani’s Yoga class as a part of our school program.
Salima facilitate a morning mindfulness and movement session at our weekly Saturday school assemblies. Salima is calm, focused, flexible, gives clear instruction and was such a pleasure to work with. The sessions were a big success. We could see that as students were eager to participate and what a great way to teach them the art of living in the now, the power of focus, breath work and how to calm those nerves! I would highly recommend Salima and look forward to working with her again.
Salima is one of those teachers who are given to our children with a mission. No matter how challenging the student, Salima did not give up. My child learned that there is a process to follow and with Salima's persistence he mastered the process of online learning. Salima takes initiative, she is knowledgeable, fun, persistent, caring and understanding. She is able to go to the level of a young person's mind and bring the young person to the level of an adult. I vouch for Salima with all my confidence. I know that there will not be a school environment where Salima's devotion and contributions would not be recognized.
My Space Within
Shanti is inner peace. Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions