US method

This is how stressed brains become free again

Yoga-like exercises are part of "OmmWorks"(Bild: Moser Andreas)

As a guest in Tyrol, a US-American gives pupils new strength. Her methods are not completely new - but somehow they are. The exercises are somewhat reminiscent of yoga or classical gymnastics.

Some scenes are reminiscent of yoga, there is brief dancing, then relaxing breathing is practiced again - and in quiet moments you could call it meditation. The program is called "OmmWorks" and Kathi Donnelly has already inspired 30,000 students in her home country.

"It creates an ability to recognize and reduce stress," explains the 58-year-old at the Neue Mittelschule in Brixlegg, where class 1B is immediately carried away by the guest from the other side of the Atlantic. "What causes you stress?" Kathi asks at the beginning. And the pupils refer to exams, strict moms and soccer defeats.

Kathi Donnelly demonstrates the exercises.(Bild: zVg)

Everyday life on a cell phone with information every second has consequences
Nowadays, young minds are confronted with an unprecedented flood of images and information - keyword smartphone. "Children's brains get used to the clips in seconds, which makes it all the more difficult for them to pay attention for longer in class," says teacher Sarah from her own experience.

Kathi is tackling this with "OmmWorks" and wants to promote children's social and emotional intelligence. "Be authentic, but stay as you are, become the best version of yourself," she calls out to the circle. One pupil beams afterwards: "This is more than gym class . . ." Something that the pupils at BORG Volders were also able to experience a day later.

Beate Rissbacher brought Kathi Donnelly to Tyrol(Bild: Moser Andreas)

Some exercises are reminiscent of gymnastics, but the US-American's program in schools goes far beyond that.(Bild: Moser Andreas)

Mediation also plays an important role.(Bild: Moser Andreas)

Tyrolean entrepreneur brought Kathi to Tyrol
The fact that Kathi Donnelly from California found her way to Tyrol is down to Brixlegg entrepreneur Beate Rissbacher. "I teach meditation myself and came into contact with Kathi during an online course. A joint seminar in Hawaii formed the basis of our friendship. This training program, which can positively change children's lives, should be brought into Tyrolean schools." These days, the entrepreneur has an appointment at the teacher training college to explain the benefits of "OmmWorks".

Kathi has been successful with her mission in the USA. "It's always about convincing teachers, they can learn our program relatively quickly and pass it on to pupils aged 6 to 14." Will her ideas soon take root in Tyrol?