Empowered Minds, formerly known as Yoga Kidz, is bringing yoga and mindfulness to the classroom. They believe in ‘teaching kids specific tools, creative techniques and daily practices to lay the foundation for attentiveness, stability and curiosity upon which all learning rests. In a world where stress, technology and distraction grow ever more pervasive, teaching our children these tools is more essential than ever.’ Empowered Minds works with local Title I schools to provide short lessons for students to practice yoga as well as meditative techniques that focus on calming the mind. The lessons focus on teaching specific tools for working through conflict, anger, stress, or anxiety. Their website provides great short videos teachers or afterschool professionals could introduce to their students. Be sure to check them out HERE.

Mindfulness is something even we as adults struggle to maintain. We tell our children to stay focused and pay attention without ever really teaching them ways to do this. Why not introduce them to controlled breathing so when they’re confronted with a difficult situation they can take a few calming breaths first before reacting? Why not show them easy movements and stretches they could do to refocus their energy? While research in this topic is still evolving, many studies have shown positive results for both the teacher and students after introducing meditative techniques into the classroom.