JON CRISPIN
Fall Newsletter 2021
Kinetic Social Justice Paige Pannozzo, a doctoral candidate in School Psychology, is applying her interest in yoga to reimagine mental health support services for students. By Wes DeShano
Illinois native Paige Pannozzo is just as familiar with vinyasa yoga as she is with educational psychology. As a registered yoga teacher, she helps people find their equilibrium through guided breathing techniques and purposeful movement. While these exercises have clear benefits in the studio, they also have powerful effects in school settings, too.
For Paige, yoga is an entry point, a type of kinetic social justice. By broadening the scope of resources available to students—and looking beyond just the socioemotional—educators can foster more inclusive learning spaces. Students, in turn, have more options for achieving mindfulness and a positive self-image. “I think it’s really important to do it yourself, too,” said Paige, who typically spends 45 minutes every day in the “flow” of vinyasa yoga. “When I’m stressed, I take a 30 minute break to move and breathe. Even if yoga isn’t the main focus of an activity, it’s something I can address with students.”
“There’s a big focus on socioemotional resources for children,” says Paige, who is completing her PhD in School Psychology. “But, research shows that taking a break to move and breathe gives you a clearer mind, makes you more creative, and supports studying.” 16