It’s about time to share the story of my collaboration with a Danish elementary school named Birkhovedskolen. A partnership that began when the school’s deputy head reached out to me unsolicited in 2023.

Right away, I sensed fertile ground for a collaboration rooted in my expertise. Something that could go far deeper than surface level. Something with the potential to take root and become a lasting part of everyday life at Birkhovedskolen, for both children and adults.

Together with the Leader of the School Lars Busk Svendsen and Deputy Head Sine Kelly, I’m excited to begin telling that story here.

Just to set the scene: Birkhovedskolen is a town school located in smallvDanish city, with around 460 pupils and 50 staff members. It’s a two-track public school serving grades 0 through 9.

To me, Birkhovedskolen is unique in the way it has grasped something fundamental. Also when it comes to the Body and Breath: that if you want to create meaningful, lasting change, it has to be lived sincerely in everyday life and over time. As Leader Lars puts it:

“It’s actually something we do.”
That’s why the Body and Breath have been given a regular place in the school day - as a routine, as something familiar - which in turn fosters new habits, a sense of safety, and, above all, calm and presence.

No Bodily Anchoring – No Change

“No bodily anchoring – no change” could almost be our shared motto. Put another way: we won’t create real change toward better learning environments and everyday life for children and adults unless the body is involved. The body and nervous system must be connected — the brain and body must be connected. That’s something we work with consciously as a foundation in all our shared initiatives.

Our shared goal is for all staff and pupils to develop ownership of tools that can strengthen their focus and improve both mental balance and physical health. This is based on principles, bodily awareness, and daily practices that support participation opportunities for everyone.

With my knowledge and experience of how the body and breath influence learning and well-being, the aim is to build greater understanding, experience, and practical tools that can be integrated into the school’s educational practices.

Why Work with Body and Breath?

At Birkhovedskolen, they continuously explore new ways and perspectives to create a school where all pupils have the best opportunities to participate in both teaching and community. The focus is broad — the entire staff and all pupils, not just those who struggle the most.

They’ve also spent several years seeking collaborators who bring something different than their existing network. While the traditional professional fields and interdisciplinary municipal partnerships are helpful, there’s a clear need for a sharper focus on the body. They’re curious about how increased awareness of pupils’ bodies can be the key to greater participation, well-being, and academic progress.

At one point, Deputy Head Sine Kelly came across my Danish book Når kroppen siger fra – Tag kontakten igen (When the Body Says NO - Reconnect) and was inspired to contact me about a potential collaboration. At Birkhovedskolen, they too are seeing more pupils who need a school day that invites the whole body into the learning process.

Sine Kelly explains:

“We’ve discovered that if we ‘only’ speak to the head, they lose focus, motivation, and the ability to take part in lessons. That often leads to classroom disruption, hallway wanderers, and outwardly reactive behavior.

Historically, we’ve focused on the few - tried to calm them down and then send them back into the larger learning environment. In this project, we believe the majority need to become more flexible before the few can join in. So we’re flipping the practice.”

Staff and grades 0-4 are the first step

Since the start of the collaboration in early 2023, we’ve first and foremost trained the entire school staff - both administrative and practical personnel alongside all teachers. We did this over two workshop days: the first focused on theory, and the second was practical. This created a brilliant foundation for individuals to discover the potential of the body and breath in relation to their own nervous system in daily life.

From there, we’ve prioritized the effort in grades 0–4, where some absolutely wonderful teachers have managed to establish everyday routines involving body and breath. Take note: every day - that’s the key to success when working with body, breath, and nervous system.

All of 2nd grade now uses my Breath Flower daily, projected onto the smartboard.

And the entire 3rd grade has been using The Relaxator, which is hung by their coat racks.

My intention, practical work and wish for the future, is to make it possible for many more kids all over the Danish country, and yes beyond the country's borders.

Thank you from my Heart spending your time reading through this 💜