NYC Mayor mandates ‘Mindful Breathing’ in all public schools.

New York City public schools will now incorporate a daily practice of “mindful breathing” exercises for all students, as announced by Mayor Eric Adams (D.) here on Monday.

“We believe that breathing is more than just air moving through your nostrils,” stated Adams during a press conference on Monday. “There is a science behind it.”

Starting in the fall, students from pre-kindergarten to high school seniors across the five boroughs will engage in these daily exercises, aiming to enhance their physical and mental well-being. The city is currently providing training to teachers and staff on how to implement these breathing exercises, as reported here by Adams.

This announcement is the latest addition to Mayor Adams’ health initiatives. Alongside the introduction of a “yoga and mindfulness” program for teachers, which was announced earlier this year, Adams has also implemented “Vegan Fridays” in schools, where only vegan meals are served on the last weekday.

“Two to five minutes. Just think about that. We’re not asking for hours. Two to five minutes can make a significant difference,” emphasized Adams during a press conference on Tuesday.

Despite efforts, New York City students’ test scores still fall behind pre-pandemic levels. While reading proficiency has been maintained, a New York Times report from September revealed that “less than 38 percent of third through eighth graders demonstrated proficiency in math, compared with about 46 percent of students before the pandemic.”