Zensational Kids has been working with schools and youth-centered organizations for over a decade, teaching mind-body practices based on the science of interpersonal neurobiology, positive psychology, trauma-informed care, poly-vagal theory and neuroscience. The Zensational Kids approach focuses on educators’ and students’ overall well-being by teaching practices that support mental health, social and emotional development and academic success.
In classrooms across our country, teachers report that they and their students are experiencing heightened states of overwhelm, stress, frustration, confusion and apathy. These states dramatically increase behavioral issues with students as well as educator burn-out.
To aim for academic excellence, we must address these physiological, inner, nervous system ‘states of being’ that sabotage success in the classroom.
Inner states consist of one’s thoughts, emotions, and sensations experienced within the body. Inner ‘states of being’ directly impact how and what we are doing in every facet of our lives. They influence how we behave, interact, relate and communicate with others and how we pay attention and learn.
Our foundational principles are to create inner states that support resilience so that everyone in the classroom can thrive. Together, educators and students learn how to shift their nervous system into states of: Calm, Balance, Focus, Compassion and Readiness to Learn.
Our primary methods enhance everyone’s capacity to bring the nervous system into regulation, fostering self-awareness and the management of personal, mental, physical and emotional states of being.
Our evidence-based process includes Breath, Movement, and Mindfulness practices that tap directly into the nervous system, strengthening one’s ability to become regulated, balanced, and organized.
BREATH
Enhances self-regulation
Relieves stress and anxiety
Improves focus
Balances energy
Helps to manage big emotions such as anger, fear and depression
MOVEMENT
Builds new brain cells for learning
Releases tension and trauma
Decreases impulsivity
Boosts mood
Coordinates activation of the right and left hemispheres of the brain
Metabolizes cortisol, the stress hormone
Improves gross and fine motor skill development
MINDFULNESS
Improves concentration and attention
Enhances cognitive control
Increases positive behaviors
Cultivates compassion for self and others
Supports social and emotional learning
Alleviates anxiety and depression
Reduces stress, burn-out and reactivity
Classrooms should be joyful hubs of safety, connection and inspiration. Achieving that begins within the nervous system.
These practices affect not only the individual and classrooms positively but can also impact the overall culture of schools by lowering behavioral interruptions and fostering a more caring and compassionate learning environment.
