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As Mason, Rivers Murphy, and Jackson say in Mindfulness Practices: Cultivating Heart Centered Communities Where Students Focus and Flourish, 

 

Mindfulness focuses our attention on the here and now. Meditation and yogic practices heighten our awareness of self and others by quieting our thoughts, and creating a sense of calmness, and improving our awareness of the relationship between our physical feelings and our emotions. [Research] shows that mindfulness and yoga decrease anxiety and depression and increase self-esteem, mood, and ability to focus and control emotions. (2019, p.6)

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Since its inception in 2009, the Center for Educational Improvement (CEI) has focused on enhancing student well-being and supporting compassionate school practices. Since that time, we have conducted research with Yale University’s Program for Recovery and Community Health to address student trauma and improve student mental health by improving school culture and climate, developing resilience, and increasing educator well-being. 

 

In 2022, we began to systematically explore opportunities to bring the tools of intentional breathwork, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to an ever-increasing number of schools in the United States and internationally. Building on CEI’s signature Heart Centered Learning® practices, we are connecting with others promoting similar efforts and are actively pursuing opportunities to further student and staff well-being through Cultivating Happiness in Schools.

VISION

Students and staff in each school, grades PreK-12, will gain experiences with yoga, mindfulness, and meditation so that they can readily access these tools as needed to enhance their interconnectedness and sense of well-being.

MISSION

We seek to establish consistent and sustainable yoga, mindfulness, and meditation programs in schools, creating an environment where students can engage in yoga as an integral part of their education.We are dedicated to creating a network of schools offering yoga, mindfulness, and meditation to share best practices and learn from each other.

Getting Involved

Contact Kahlil Kuykendall kahlilk@gwu.edu or Dr. Christine Mason chris@edimprovement.org for information on how you can participate in Cultivating Happiness in Schools. We provide tools for yoga and mindfulness instructors who want to help support schools, teachers, and other school staff interested in incorporating yoga, mindfulness, and meditation into their schools.

GOALS

increase student and staff well-being through networking with yoga and mindfulness practitioners

increase training and support for teachers and staff

directly deliver 30-40 minute in-school and after-school yoga-mindfulness-meditation sessions

Pause and Center

Incorporate "Pause and Center" moments into your daily routines for a calmer, happier, and more connected family or school.

Who We Are

Chris is the founder and senior scholar at the CEI, developer of heart centered learning, and a yoga instructor. She is the lead author of several books on mindfulness and well-being, including Cultivating Happiness, Resilience, and Well-Being through Meditation, Mindfulness, and Movement and is a specialist in helping educators to integrate yoga into their classrooms. 

 

Kahlil is a professor at George Washington University and a yoga, mindfulness, and stress management expert. She also provides mindfulness consulting at schools in Washington DC and Maryland. Kahlil is currently putting together a free yoga workshop for middle and high schools to be offered this Spring. Both Kahlil and Dr. Mason are certified Kundalini Yoga instructors.  

Meet the Project Team

Research Assistant

Nicole Benquechea

Research Assistant

Executive Director, Center for Educational Improvement

Jillayne Flanders

Executive Director, Center for Educational Improvement

Yoga Instructor and CEO of Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (Chicago)

Shakta Kaur

Yoga Instructor and CEO of Kundalini Yoga in the Loop (Chicago)

Research Assistant

Chandni Lal

Research Assistant

Lecturer Harvard University and Executive Management Consultant

Tim Mills

Lecturer Harvard University and Executive Management Consultant

Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor, George Washington University

Kahlil Kuykendall

Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor, George Washington University

Research Assistant

Hallie Williams

Research Assistant

Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Yoga Therapist

Dr. Japa Kaur Khalsa

Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Yoga Therapist

Founder and Senior Scholar Center for Educational Improvement

Christine Y. Mason, PhD

Founder and Senior Scholar Center for Educational Improvement

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