www.hlfinc.org

Mindfulness Practice

“When you own your breath,

nobody can steal your peace”

–Author Unknown

What is

Mindfulness?

History of Holistic Life Foundation

Challenges of Working with Underserved Youth•Missing generation•Love is a bad word•Lack of interconnectedness•Lack of role models•Not a neighborhood just a hood•Trauma and PTSD•Compassion = SOFT•Drug Abuse•Poverty•Lack of access to opportunities•Violence •Lack of Healthy Food•Hypervigilance•Gangs

•Yoga & Mindfulness•Tutoring & Homework Assistance•Community Service•Environmental Education & Advocacy•Athletics•Music•Art

Holistic Me after school program

2003

2010

19 of 20 graduated from high school

19 of 20 either in college or working full time

None incarcerated

All still practice yoga in some form

• Academic Support• Life Skills• Job and College

Readiness• Community Service• Diversity of Experiences• Mindfulness

Program Growth:3: 2012-2013 school year 7: 2013-2014 school year 17: 2014-2015 school yearResidency and Training

Program

Concentrations:Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor TrainingAnnual Workforce Development RetreatsJob Skills TrainingBegin Training Early

HLF Programs: Workforce Development

Provides exposure to the worldbeyond Baltimore: Assisting with

Residency in Madison, WI Assisting with HLF-

led retreats at Omega and Garrison Institutes

Osterloh, Germany Trip

Providing service and work opportunities:

Summer teaching in Bloomsburg, PA

Summer teaching at Y in Charlottesville, VA

Participants training peers in Charlottesville, VA

Workforce Development: Notable Accomplishments

Expansion Plans:

Develop and implement a formalized curriculum for training to include:

Professional Development Trauma-Informed Training Working with Youth

Number of Targeted Youth:For 2015, 45 intended trainees to

result in 25 staff

Mindful Moment Daily Program

Robert W Coleman

Elementary

346 students daily, plus staff

Patterson High School

1300 students daily, plus staff

15 Minute Practce Twice Daily

Mindful Moment Room

4 Full Time Staff

Mindful Ambassadors

Teacher and Self Referrals

Mindful Moment Teacher Survey

68% observed some positive or significant positive change in classroom climate

73% observed some positive change or significant positive change in school climate

96% Feel that with increased engagement, the program has the chance to improve Patterson’s learning environment.

Suspensions for fighting – Down from 49 in school year 2012-13 to 23 in 2013-14

Suspensions in hallways and stairwells – Down from 62 in 2012-13 to 35 in 2013-14

Suspensions in the classroom – Down from 36 in 2012-13 to 17 in 2013-14

Attendance – Up from 71.3% in 2012-13 to 74.2% in 2013-14

9th graders promoted to 10th grade – Up from 45% in 2012-13 to 64% in 2013-2014

Average GPA of first time 9th graders – Up from 1.06 in the 2012-13 to 1.51 in 2013-2014

Mindful Moment:Patterson High School Outcomes

Holistic Life Foundation Mindfulness Based Programs

• School Programs• Substance Abuse• Mental Health• Juvenile Justice• Workshops & Trainings

• Elderly Populations• Environmental• Gang Outreach• Professional Development for Teachers and Administrators

Benefits of Mindfulness

Self-Regulation & Self-empowerment• Improved Concentration and Focus• Cognitive, Social, and Emotional

Awareness & Wellness• Stress Reduction

Anger Management• Peaceful Conflict Resolution• “Think Before You Act”• Interconnectedness

Foundation For Future Success

Come From a Place of Love

Be Present

Have Your Own Mindfulness Practice

Don’t Be Tied to Results

Make it Practical

Working with Problem Students

Make it Fun

Use Pop Culture

Principal, Teachers, then Students

Teaching Yoga and Mindfulness to High-Risk Youth Training Manual

Whil Gro App

Expanded International Programming

Forthcoming book, with the publication and production team of Mindful

Magazine

Coming Soon From HLF

Holistic Life Foundation, Inc. 2601 N. Howard Street

Suite 140Baltimore, MD 21218

www.hlfinc.org410-243-4300ali@hlfinc.org

Questions ?