Caroline

Head

Lamberhurst St Mary's, Tonbridge, Kent

The Yoga Day was one of the best activity days that we have ever taken part in. Michael engaged brilliantly with both children and staff even managing to tempt some refusers to take part.

The enthusiasm from the day has been extremely well supported by the very high quality resources which are part of the training package. We now have yoga lessons running in most classes as part of their P.E and also as a calming session for well-being and engagement.

Elizabeth Connell

Primary Teacher

Myland Primary, Colchester

We have really enjoyed the Yoga Scheme of Work that you provided for the school. Yoga has definitely had a positive impact on our children. Since the training day many teachers have started to teach Yoga as part of their P.E Curriculum and transfer some of the skills into classroom lessons.

Lucie Perry

Primary Teacher

Westfield Primary School , Surrey

The training Michael provided for our school was inspiring, both for the teachers and the children. The calming effect and mindfulness was noticeable, even after one session. The children responded brilliantly to Yoga at School and we feel sure it will have a very positive impact upon self esteem and coping and managing with stress and anxiety. It was a wonderful experience for all involved. We are very taken with it and can't wait to roll it out. Thank you so very much for opening our eyes to the benefits of yoga in school.

Glen Richardson

SEN Teacher

Barbara Priestman Academy, Sunderland

Just thought I would give you an update on how we are using yoga since your training visit last year. We have 1/3 of the school who chose yoga as a means for starting their day in school. They do a 40 minute session which they say has a range of affects on them. Examples include helping them prepare for the day ahead, helping them forget about stresses at home, it puts them in a positive frame of mind, it puts them in a place where they feel comfortable, they just like the feel of doing it, the like being and feeling chilled out first thing on a morning. Yoga is also used at the start of the day in gross motor skill sessions with 2 further groups of students. We also use it as a means of calming, de-stressing and focussing students who are at heightened levels of stress or are having some reflection time to review there actions in certain situations. As well as these, yoga is used in PE lessons to develop focus, concentration, body awareness, balance, motor skills and as a nice way to finish or start a lesson. There probably isn't a day when yoga isn't being done in school and the effect is has on the students is great. Thanks again

Helen

Primary Teacher

Walmley Infants School, Sutton Coldfield

An excellent introduction on how to deliver Yoga in schools. The structure of the lessons and the demonstration of different components were really useful and clearly executed. I now feel confident to lead a yoga lesson in school. It will definitely be on the curriculum next year.

Nick

Primary School Teacher

Monksmead Primary , Borehamwood

Michael came in and worked with all year groups.The pupils loved it. Years 1 & 2 said it was "amazing' and teachers said that it was a great way for the children to stay focused and that they had never seen their classes so calm. Overall, a most worthwhile day.

Chris

Primary Teacher & PE Coordinator

Oldmixon Primary , Weston Super Mare

The quality and standard of the course was outstanding. It was clear , practical and most importantly fun. Training was offered from Nursery all the way up to Year 6 and the range of games that were used and resources provided were amazing. The children responded incredibly well to the yoga sessions and still now enjoy the sequences and lessons. The progression through the year groups is evident and they're clear pathways for differentiation. I cannot recommend Yoga at School highly enough, it was fantastic. Thank you.

Cem

Assistant Head

Joseph Turner Primary , Sutton Coldfield

Michael is a very knowledgeable professional that worked equally well with the children as he did the adults. Yoga is obviously not just a job for Michael, it's his passion and this shone through in the service that we received. Would absolutely recommend".

Sarah Goldsmith

Head

Downfield Primary School , Hertfordshire

Yoga has been such a fantastic addition to our school curriculum. All the children, from Nursery through to Year 6, thoroughly enjoy the sessions and look forward each week to their lesson. Every child has in some way benefited from the calm and thoughtful way in which Yoga has been delivered.

I am delighted that Yoga continues to be an incredibly important aspect of our school life and I am convinced by its positive impact on the children's concentration and behaviour.

Yoga has undoubtedly increased self esteem and confidence in both our mainstream children and those with special educational needs.

Stewart Harris

Head

Phoenix Special School , London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Yoga has a very positive impact on our children and Michael Chissick's methods are ideal for our young people with autism

Amy Handysides

Assistant Head (Pastoral Care)

Featherstone Wood Primary School, Stevenage , Herts

Michael recently came to our school to teach yoga to all our staff and children. The training was absolutely fantastic and the whole school is now really enthused to practise yoga regularly. The resources that Michael provided us with following the training are excellent and will really support us in continuing with our yoga journey in school.

Thank you Michael!

Katie Andrews

Deputy Head

Graveley Primary School , Hertfordshire

We were delighted to have Michael from Yoga at School visit us for a second time. His yoga sessions completely gripped the children from start to finish and have inspired the staff to deliver their own yoga lessons with confidence and enthusiasm. The scheme of work and training provided are just right for primary aged children and the games and poses were perfect for our pupils

Rhoda Jones

Class Teacher & Well-Being Team

Hawksmoor Primary School , Thamesmead , London SE 18

We welcomed Michael to Hawksmoor School to train us in Yoga At School techniques. The staff and children enjoyed the calmness and reflection of the day. The children were focused and well behaved, and Michael was gentle and so warm with the children. We are adopting Yoga at School as a whole School approach and would recommend him to other schools.

Jessica

PE Cordinator

Lady Bankes Infants , Ruislip

We had a wonderful Yoga day for all our children from Reception to Year 2 and and can't wait to continue with the yoga. Michael has devised a fun, different way of teaching yoga using games and fun names for each posture.

Dee

PE Technician

Treetops Special Needs School, Grays, Essex

The course provided great content and engagement for our pupils. As a member of the PE staff it was very helpful to see the lessons delivered to the children as Michael adapted and provided extra ideas which were specific to our school. We saw a range of exercises and activities for different age groups and level of our pupils, from relaxation to stretches. The children were very engaged as the lessons were fun and simple to follow.

Alex Morris

PE Co-ordinator

Gray's Farm Academy , Orpington , Kent

A great day of yoga and it was fantastic to see the progress through the years and how the sessions are adapted for each age group. The CPD opportunity for teaching staff has given them the confidence to start delivering yoga as part of our PE curriculum

Katie Edwards

EYFS/KS1 Leader & PE Leader

Green Oaks Primary Academy, Northampton

Wow, what a great day we had when Michael came to our school to kick-start off our well-being week with yoga workshops for all of our classes, from Reception - Year 6. By the end of the day the children and staff were all buzzing about their sessions, and saying which poses and games they liked best. Ever since his visit, if super sitting is mentioned, 200+ children all correct their posture and do the yoga pose taught by Michael.

The support he gave to teachers during the sessions was great. The structure allowed us to see how we would teach our own lessons and we are all now looking forward to when it is our turm for yoga. Michael's resources are also fantastic and will definitely help the staff to follow the scheme of work provided after our day's CPD.

I would just like to say another big thank you to Michael as all of the staff and children really did engage with this new part of our PE curriculum.

To anybody else who is thinking of asking Michael to visit your school, I would highly recommend you do!

Sarah Biles

PE Coordinator/KS2 Leader

Sherborne St John Primary , Basingstoke

Michael ran 6 sessions for the whole school across the day. We particularly liked his positivity and encouragement of all children. Praise was used as an excellent behaviour management tool and all children, from Year R to Year 6, responded very well.

All children were on task and focused on the activities. They were appropriate for the children's first time doing Yoga with a chance for them to be challenged as well. The variety of activities followed a structured approach which allowed the children to build on skills they learnt during the session.

We look forward to implementing his plans across the school.

Emma Blackburne

Teacher

St Margaret's Prep School , Halstead, Essex

We felt lucky to be able to spend a day at school learning about yoga and that we are excited for the start of this new venture that will benfit the staff and the children.

Harry

Class Teacher & PE Cordinator

Lyndhurst Primary , Camberwell , South London

We rate this Inset Day as Excellent

The most useful thing was to see exactly how the lesson was structured. As the training involved us taking part in a lesson we came away with a clear understanding of what the lesson should look like, how it should run and the timings of it. The training can be now implemented into our own lessons straight away with confidence and ease. Taking part in the activities allowed us to not only know how to teach them but also how they should look when the children are carrying them out.

Overall the day was fabulous. It was a practical and engaging way for us to learn how to teach yoga in our school. The practical element of the training has given a clear understanding of how to teach yoga in our school with confidence and ease. Michael was extremely clear with all explanations and was hugely enthusiastic. The whole staff loved the experience and cannot wait to get started with the yoga with their classes.

Cassim Bana

Assistant Head

Cranbrook Primary School , Ilford, Essex

Excellent!

Great modelling for each year group. Teachers felt that they could deliver the lessons as it did not seem difficult.

The humour used throughout created a very relaxed atmosphere.

Clear use of resources

Really enjoyed the staff session (INSET) to top up a great day.

Be prepared for a great day of learning. Michael has amazing experience in the field of teaching Yoga at schools and a few of our teachers fondly remembered attending sessions with Michael at their previous schools!

What seems daunting was made to look simple and easy to copy and apply. Michael's use of humour further lightens the sessions. It was a day loved by adults and children!

Thank you Michael.

Fiona Ellis

Teacher & PE Co-ordinator

Parkland Primary , Leicester

The day was Excellent â€“ well planned, fun and engaging activities, lovely resources used and layout of the room made it exciting for the children.

Most useful were how the sessions can be adapted for those with SEND needs/behavioural difficulties. The emphasis on good manners and responding to questions asked and interaction with each other (children.) This really supports the work and ethos we have as a school to embed these values and to use inclusion to make learning accessible for all.

We would describe the day as Inspiring! The effect that the set-up of the environment, the attitude and behaviours modelled by Michael himself and the activities planned had on the children were incredible. The children and staff are still talking about the day we spent with Michael and were surprised that fun games and songs as part could actually be a part of yoga! I wish we could have him come to our school every week for the staff, as well as the children! Michael very kindly left us with 3 of his lovely books and a number of visual aids that we can continue to use with our children. We cannot wait to get the resources pack so that we can start to use yoga regularly in our PE lessons right across the school!

Anna Archer

Head

The Grove Nursery & Infants School , Harpenden , Herts

Overall this was excellent.

Michael targeted exactly at the age range we work with: all of the children were able to engage and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

The teaching tools are very straightforward and user friendly.

It was so useful to see half a dozen games in action that teachers can use immediately without any planning as well as the simple progressive structure. Great activities.

This was the perfect introduction to children's yoga. It fits very well with our current agenda of mindfulness and relaxation. And you yourself Michael were a pleasure to work with, thank you.

Anna

Katy Morez

PE Teacher

Milestone Academy , Ashgreen, Kent

The feedback I have been getting from the last week is amazing and have included it below from the colleagues themselves who were able to attend:

"It was excellent, Michael was well prepared with visuals and simple language. On the kids level.

I would describe it as a fun, engaging activity that everyone can access."

"I think it was excellent.

I liked the way he showed us how to adapt for each pupil."

"I thought the yoga was Excellent! I found the way that Michael modelled each activity and how engaging he was to be fantastic."

"Overall quality - excellent

Most useful - modelling of excellent practice to staff, served as a reminder of how we should all interact with students. Also the fantastic ideas for engagement of our students.

A fantastic, inclusive, interactive learning experience.

Katie, It really was a fabulous session and I can't thank you enough for organising it."

As you can see above, the staff were really really impressed with the training, and I can only echo what they have said. It really was a fantastic day, and knowing those students well, I cannot believe the enjoyment and engagement from some of our most challenging students, so I thank you.

We cannot wait to get started :-)

Michelle

KS2 Coordinator & Year 6 Teacher

Berrow Primary School , Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset

The overall quality of the day was excellent. Good value for money and worth doing. Excellent resources and good links with mindfulness and behaviour.

Most useful was actually having a demonstration on how to work with whole classes across our different year groups

Our children really enjoyed the day and we've had positive feedback from parents and staff. Some of the children also did a demo in celebration assembly!

Chloe

Curriculum Lead

The Westminster School , Sandwell, Birmingham

A fun and engaging day for both pupils and staff. Resourced and delivered well with guidance of how to continue Yoga in the future in school.

We found the range of activities and games that involve Yoga useful, as previously we have always experienced yoga as someone modelling poses and pupils copying these. Michael's activities demonstrated how social and communication skills can also be developed through yoga, and pupil engagement was much higher because of this.

Differentiation was good to see for more complex needs and physically disabled pupils, and how these pupils could still access the full session in an adapted way.

Staff

Teachers & TAs

Marshlands School , Stafford, Staffs

This was by far the best yoga "trainer/practitioner" for schools that I have experienced. Michael had excellent delivery and pace to the session - the children were very engaged and it was encouraging to see that this also was true for those who may not normally focus. The use of visuals was also very effective. I also loved the way he got individual children to feedback and also used staff and pupils to model some of the techniques.

Jodie

Limes Academy Larkswood , Chingford , East London

Thank you so much! It was a great day and we have received lots of fantastic feedback.

The overall quality of the day was Excellent

It was most so useful to see how to take the class to ensure all children are focussed and engaged in what they are doing.

The day was fantastic! The children were mesmerised with the calm and relaxation of the movements involved. The whole day was inclusive to all children.

Once again, thank you so much for the day.

Caroline Lawlor

Class Teacher & PE Cordinator

Bidbury Infants School , Havant , Hants

We were lucky enough to have a training day recently with Michael.

The day was excellent from start to finish. Not only did the children really enjoy it but the teachers got invaluable training and now feel confident to teach yoga to their classes.

The resources and schemes of work that Michael provides means that every adult can feel confident and secure to engage with this learning.

We were beginning to understand the benefits of yoga in school before his visit but now after seeing how the children responded we are certain that it is the way forward. The benefits to the children's behaviour for learning in just one day were very clear to see.

Thank you Michael.

Mark Wadsworth

PE Cordinator , Year 4 Teacher

Ravensthorpe Juniors , Dewsbury, Yorks

It's been running great and the feedback I've had from the staff has been excellent. All pupils are engaging with the scheme too so I'm really happy"

Alison McDonough

Head

West Rainton Primary , Co Durham

Yoga at school provided us with the exact staff training, lesson ideas and complete scheme of work we were looking for, all in one day. Every child, from early years to Y6, loved the sessions and have already asked to set up a weekly yoga club. Staff members, even those with little or no prior yoga experience, found the training fascinating, and are all now delivering with confidence. This enhances our existing provision to support children's physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, perfectly.

The support, guidance and communication, both before and after the training is expertly provided.

Thank you, Michael and Beth, for being exactly what we needed!

Julie Wynne

Deputy Head

Beacon Pupil Referal Unit (PRU), Worcestershire

Thanks for the training, it was just wonderful and will really benefit and support our pupils.

We are all very motivated to put all our learning into practice. The schemes of work are fabulous!

Hannah Smerdon

Teacher

Nottage Primary , Porthcawl, Wales

Thank you so much for everything. We have really enjoyed taking part in the training and I have already started to implement yoga in our school. So far, I have had a really positive response from the children and I am really enjoying delivering the lessons.

I have recieved the scheme of work today, thank you so much. It is set out really well, and very easy to navigate.

Primary, Nursery and Special Needs Schools Feedback