What are your physical activity needs?

Question

What are your physical activity needs?

Answer 1

Not sure what you are exactly asking... for this category, at least.  But I'll give it a go!

For me, I need to make sure I get enough rest (8 hours of sleep) and some type of physical activity every day.  Those activities range from a good yoga class (60 - 90 minutes) to a hike (at least 30 minutes)  Sometimes it's just a quick walk around the block, if that's all I have time for.  Sometimes I just do some core work (100 reps of different core strengtheners) and as of recently, when I can't get to a yoga class or it's yukky outside, I play wii fit for 30 - 45 minutes.  And yes, I do break a sweat when I'm playing!

In the classroom, I keep in mind that the adult brain can only focus for 20 minutes in one sitting.  I use that to estimate that children's brains can focus for a fraction of that.  I like to take frequent breaks in the day with the kids.  Sometimes we take a dance break, and turn on music for 2 minutes and boogie down.  They love doing yoga, so we use Yoga Ed. Tools for Teachers activities to get up and moving with little to no props or space needed.  Sometimes, when we need to get outside, but only have a few minutes, we go outside and run around the playground once before coming back in to work.

It all depends on the kids, on the day, and on what needs to be accomplished.  It is much easier to take 5 minutes out for physical activity than stretch 40 minutes of whiny work time.  Those 5 minutes often give a longer stretch of focused worktime after!