YOGA and mindfulness is now a part of the school day at a Prestatyn primary school.

Bodnant Community School is the first school in Denbighshire to receive ‘Mini Me Yoga' accreditation. A plaque was awarded earlier this month.

In order to meet the requirements for accreditation and school status, staff have undergone training and a Mini Me Yoga programme is being followed.

Helen Vernon, headteacher, said: “It has made the children calmer and helped with behaviour.

“Sometimes, say when they are outside and they get cross - they might have fallen out with a friend - I say to them, once you say something to a friend you don’t mean, you cannot take it back, so instead they are using a technique called the Dragon Breath and pose [a breathing exercise]. The staff have cascaded the concept through the school, children have learnt different poses and we plan to do an after school club.

“Mini Me Yoga came over and taught us all in September, even the dinnerladies.

“It is about helping the children stay calm when they anxious and finding their inner strength. It decreases frustrations and helps them handle situations.”

The programme encourages children to take control of their feelings using breathing, meditation and mindfulness.

Kate Bartram Brown, founder of the company, said: “Bodnant School are the first school in Denbighshire to receive the accreditation.

"The teachers and children worked very hard to receive the accreditation as we require evidence that they are implementing the program.

"A total of 75 per cent of staff have to complete our foundation and yoga program, three our of five members of staff have to complete our themed explorer program to tie into the nation curriculum and then 75 per cent have to complete the meditation and mindfulness workshop.

"Evidence is gathered in froms of photos, newsletters, lesson plans, emails, tweets and more.

"Once that is signed off we hold a celebration assembly where we award the plaque and the see the program in action in the school.

"Its wonderful to see the children and staff so committed and most of all having fun implementing tools that improve mental and emotional wellbeing."