The dimmed lights and soft music helped students get into a peaceful headspace at Mandalay Elementary School in the Wantagh School District on June 6. A yoga session taught youngsters in grades 2-5 how to relax through breathing and stretching exercises.

To celebrate the letter M as part of its A to Z countdown to the end of the school year, Mandalay celebrated Mindfulness and Meditation Day. In each 40-minute session, yoga instructor Coral Gagliano introduced students to simple exercises they can do at home that promote calm minds and bodies. The program was coordinated by guidance counselor Donna Shulman.

Physical education teacher Jared Bursky talked to students about professional athletes who use yoga and other relaxation techniques to both mentally and physically prepare for competition. He said the goal of Mindfulness and Meditation Day was to show students the benefits of these techniques from a health and wellness perspective. 

Other themes during the 26-day countdown to the end of the year include Kindness Day for K, Stars and Stripes Day for S – which appropriately landed on Flag Day – and dressing up for going on vacation to celebrate V.