Benchmark for love, friends and kindness

Benchmark for love, friends and kindness

By Mary Dennehy

MORE than 260 children from Scoil Chaitlín Maude took some time out to fundraise for a new meditation and relaxation hub in their school on Friday, while also launching a new Buddy Bench in their school garden.

Based in Killinarden, Scoil Chaitlín Maude has just moved into a new school building, and last Friday more than 260 pupils and staff engaged in a children’s Prana Workshop that covered meditation, positive affirmations, dancing, superbrain yoga, exercise and meditation.

Killinarden Buddy Bench 1 June 2016

The workshop was delivered by volunteers from the Tallaght branch of Pranic Healing Dublin, who have been offering meditation in the school for the past year.

A sum of €460 was raised through the meditation workshop by the children, all of which will go towards the meditation hub in the new bright and spacious Scoil Chaitlín Maude building.

On the day, the school community also launched its new Buddy Bench, which, paid for by Pranic Healing Dublin, is a place for children to practice love and kindness to themselves as well as others.

Amanda Connell, who lives in Tallaght and is part of the local branch of Pranic Healing Dublin, said: “The Buddy Bench is a safe place for the children to sit if they are feeling sad or down – and it shows their friends that they need an extra bit of friendship.

Killinarden Buddy Bench 2 June 2016

“During the workshop we teach the children to be mindful of each other and to look after those who use the bench by offering friendship.

“Displayed on the bench is Golden Butterflies, the children use these as a way of visualising and letting go of their worries and fears during breathing exercises.

“It also reminds the children that at some stage in all our lives we will have to sit a buddy bench and that this is okay. It’s good to be able to recognise when you feel sad or stressed or lonely.”

Amanda wished to thank the community of Tallaght for helping to provide the buddy bench through the donations people make at free community-based medi-tation sessions and events.

There is a free parents’ and children’s meditation group held in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, on the third Tuesday of every month at 6pm.

There is also a free Care for Carer’s Clinic for parents on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght.

For further information contact Amanda on 087 2386849.

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