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What is Mindful Life Yoga for Kids?

Mindful Life Yoga for Kids is a unique and innovative program specifically designed to help children develop:

• An understanding of how their brain works
• Attention skills
• Sensory awareness
• Emotional management skills
• Compassion & Empathy
• Ecological awareness

The method is theoretically derived and informed by the latest research in the fields of cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology, social and emotional learning, and mindfulness. The method was developed by Kristen Race, Ph.D. for use with children in PreK to 5th grades, but can easily be adapted for older children.

What Is Mindful Life Yoga for Kids?

Mindful Yoga Yoga for Kids combines the practices of mindfulness and yoga to introduce children to the benefits of the practices in a fun and developmentally appropriate way. One of the primary ironies of modern education is that we ask students to “pay attention” dozens of times a day, yet we rarely teach them how to pay attention. The practice of mindfulness teaches students how to pay attention, and this way of paying attention enhances both academic and social-emotional learning. In addition, the yoga component helps children understand the connection between their minds and bodies, rejuvenates tired minds, and adds a lot of fun!

Mindful Life Yoga for Kids is a practice that does not require any particular religious training. It is for any one of any background or any religion. Mindfulness and Yoga programs have been shown to increase attention, working memory, and self-esteem, and to reduce ADHD symptoms. Click Here for more on the benefits.

The Method

A typical Mindful Life Yoga class is broken down into 3 segments. The first segment teaches a mindfulness skill. The second segment is a theme based yoga lesson. The last segment is a guided relaxation exercise.

Flexibility

When the method is delivered in a school setting teachers may decide to integrate segments of the lessons over the course of the day to accommodate a variety of school schedules. Mindfulness exercises can be logically integrated into morning circle time. Themed yoga lessons can easily be integrated into other curriculum studies (i.e. ocean, Africa, recycling, dinosaurs etc.) or during P.E. or social emotional learning time. It is important for teachers of the curriculum to be trained as Mindful Life Yoga instructors. Once trained, teachers can adapt the method to best fit their schedules. Learn more.

Teachers See Results

• 91% report significant improvement in their students' listening skills
• 82% report significant improvement in their students' attention span