video lessons + more for kids
mindful games
We build a chain of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to notice thoughts and let them go.
We use an awareness meter and barrel of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to work with thoughts and emotions when we meditate.
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
A delightful adaptation/mash-up of two mindful games — Friendly Wishes and Imaginary Hugs.
A colorful chain of plastic monkeys demonstrates how to notice thoughts and let them go.
Watch how easy it is to settle your mind when it's busy! then, listen to this guided meditation to give it a try.
Feeling upset or annoyed? Here's a tip for calming down anytime you feel worked up.
Using teamwork, and by paying attention to what’s happening around us, we pass a cup without spilling a drop of water.
We hold a cube of ice until it melts to notice the difference between a feeling and a reaction. (Game led by Gene Lushtak.)
We imagine that everyone is happy, safe, healthy, and living in peace to practice kindness and concentration.
We sway from side-to-side, while chanting a rhyme, to help us become more aware of our bodies.
We pretend to rock a stuffed animal to sleep on our bellies to relax our bodies and quiet our minds.
We practice focusing by slowly moving our arms up and down, or back and forth, in sync with each other’s movements.
for younger children
We build a chain of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to notice thoughts and let them go.
When we plant seeds of confidence, patience, and kindness, those are the qualities that grow. When we plant seeds of doubt, restlessness, and cruelty, those qualities grow instead. What seeds will you plant today?
We usually think of Obi-Wan Kenobi as being cool, calm, and collected, right? A remarkable Jedi Master. But even Obi-Wan Kenobi feels unsteady sometimes. If you don't feel steady – like Obi-Wan is feeling now – mindful awareness can help you feel more grounded.
We develop the life skills Seeing & Reframing when we notice what's the same and what's different about a handful of toy bears.
A delightful adaptation/mash-up of two mindful games — Friendly Wishes and Imaginary Hugs.
Feeling upset or annoyed? Here's a tip for calming down anytime you feel worked up.
We imagine that everyone is happy, safe, healthy, and living in peace to practice kindness and concentration.
We sway from side-to-side, while chanting a rhyme, to help us become more aware of our bodies.
We pretend to rock a stuffed animal to sleep on our bellies to relax our bodies and quiet our minds.
We practice focusing by slowly moving our arms up and down, or back and forth, in sync with each other’s movements.
We watch baking soda settle in a fishbowl to help us understand the connection between what happens in our minds and what happens in our bodies.
for older children
In a polarized world, we can build bridges by focusing on common themes that cut across time-tested wisdom traditions instead of focusing on our differences.
One of the terrific things about mindfulness is that it helps us develop universal qualities that are with us all the time. One of those qualities is patience, and today we'll explore how mindful listening helps develop the quality of patience.
Allowing means learning to be with what's happening when it's happening. We don't give up working to make the world a better place. We just recognize, "This is what's happening now. Nothing I can do about it right now, but maybe there's something I can do about it later."
Are you game to try a pizza meditation?
You can think of anything you like in this meditation.
Except for pizza.
We use an awareness meter and barrel of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to work with thoughts and emotions when we meditate.
We usually think of Obi-Wan Kenobi as being cool, calm, and collected, right? A remarkable Jedi Master. But even Obi-Wan Kenobi feels unsteady sometimes. If you don't feel steady – like Obi-Wan is feeling now – mindful awareness can help you feel more grounded.
In this 90 second video I use a Hoberman Globe to demonstrate how minds change bodies and bodies change minds. When our bodies are tense and feel tight, our minds tense and tighten, too. But when our bodies relax our minds become more spacious. Then, it’s easier to take in the full picture by looking at what’s happening with kindness and curiosity.
We develop the life skills Seeing & Reframing when we notice what's the same and what's different about a handful of toy bears.
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
A colorful chain of plastic monkeys demonstrates how to notice thoughts and let them go.
Watch how easy it is to settle your mind when it's busy! then, listen to this guided meditation to give it a try.
Listening to sound is a great way to practice meditation. This meditation will help you feel focused and relaxed at the same time.
Our past is a part of us, but we needn't get distracted by it. Nor, do we need to be preoccupied with what will happen in the future. Instead, we can enjoy the moment.
Let any worries, stress and strain drop away in this bedtime routine. lie flat on your back with your arms by your sides, close your eyes, and you’re ready to begin.
We sit or stand face-to-face and choose a leader. When the leader slowly moves we mirror the movement. (Game led by Annaka Harris.)
Using teamwork, and by paying attention to what’s happening around us, we pass a cup without spilling a drop of water.
We hold a cube of ice until it melts to notice the difference between a feeling and a reaction. (Game led by Gene Lushtak.)
We imagine that everyone is happy, safe, healthy, and living in peace to practice kindness and concentration.
We pretend to rock a stuffed animal to sleep on our bellies to relax our bodies and quiet our minds.
for teens
Are you game to try a pizza meditation?
You can think of anything you like in this meditation.
Except for pizza.
We use an awareness meter and barrel of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to work with thoughts and emotions when we meditate.
In this 90 second video I use a Hoberman Globe to demonstrate how minds change bodies and bodies change minds. When our bodies are tense and feel tight, our minds tense and tighten, too. But when our bodies relax our minds become more spacious. Then, it’s easier to take in the full picture by looking at what’s happening with kindness and curiosity.
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
A colorful chain of plastic monkeys demonstrates how to notice thoughts and let them go.
Watch how easy it is to settle your mind when it's busy! then, listen to this guided meditation to give it a try.
Let any worries, stress and strain drop away in this bedtime routine. lie flat on your back with your arms by your sides, close your eyes, and you’re ready to begin.
focusing + quieting
We build a chain of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to notice thoughts and let them go.
One of the terrific things about mindfulness is that it helps us develop universal qualities that are with us all the time. One of those qualities is patience, and today we'll explore how mindful listening helps develop the quality of patience.
We use an awareness meter and barrel of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to work with thoughts and emotions when we meditate.
We usually think of Obi-Wan Kenobi as being cool, calm, and collected, right? A remarkable Jedi Master. But even Obi-Wan Kenobi feels unsteady sometimes. If you don't feel steady – like Obi-Wan is feeling now – mindful awareness can help you feel more grounded.
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
A colorful chain of plastic monkeys demonstrates how to notice thoughts and let them go.
Are you feeling under pressure or overwhelmed? Susan demonstrates what stress and pressure do to our bodies and how to move through them.
Watch how easy it is to settle your mind when it's busy! then, listen to this guided meditation to give it a try.
Feeling upset or annoyed? Here's a tip for calming down anytime you feel worked up.
Listening to sound is a great way to practice meditation. This meditation will help you feel focused and relaxed at the same time.
Let any worries, stress and strain drop away in this bedtime routine. lie flat on your back with your arms by your sides, close your eyes, and you’re ready to begin.
We sit or stand face-to-face and choose a leader. When the leader slowly moves we mirror the movement. (Game led by Annaka Harris.)
Using teamwork, and by paying attention to what’s happening around us, we pass a cup without spilling a drop of water.
We sway from side-to-side, while chanting a rhyme, to help us become more aware of our bodies.
We pretend to rock a stuffed animal to sleep on our bellies to relax our bodies and quiet our minds.
We practice focusing by slowly moving our arms up and down, or back and forth, in sync with each other’s movements.
We watch baking soda settle in a fishbowl to help us understand the connection between what happens in our minds and what happens in our bodies.
seeing & reframing
In a polarized world, we can build bridges by focusing on common themes that cut across time-tested wisdom traditions instead of focusing on our differences.
Allowing means learning to be with what's happening when it's happening. We don't give up working to make the world a better place. We just recognize, "This is what's happening now. Nothing I can do about it right now, but maybe there's something I can do about it later."
When we plant seeds of confidence, patience, and kindness, those are the qualities that grow. When we plant seeds of doubt, restlessness, and cruelty, those qualities grow instead. What seeds will you plant today?
Are you game to try a pizza meditation?
You can think of anything you like in this meditation.
Except for pizza.
We use an awareness meter and barrel of plastic monkeys to demonstrate how to work with thoughts and emotions when we meditate.
In this 90 second video I use a Hoberman Globe to demonstrate how minds change bodies and bodies change minds. When our bodies are tense and feel tight, our minds tense and tighten, too. But when our bodies relax our minds become more spacious. Then, it’s easier to take in the full picture by looking at what’s happening with kindness and curiosity.
Sometimes one thing can look different to different people, even though it’s the same thing. Can you think of examples from your life where two or more people look at the same thing but see it from different perspectives?
We develop the life skills Seeing & Reframing when we notice what's the same and what's different about a handful of toy bears.
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
Our past is a part of us, but we needn't get distracted by it. Nor, do we need to be preoccupied with what will happen in the future. Instead, we can enjoy the moment.
We hold a cube of ice until it melts to notice the difference between a feeling and a reaction. (Game led by Gene Lushtak.)
caring & connecting
By moving our attention away from what we're thinking to an experience in the moment, our minds help our bodies settle.
A delightful adaptation/mash-up of two mindful games — Friendly Wishes and Imaginary Hugs.
We sit or stand face-to-face and choose a leader. When the leader slowly moves we mirror the movement. (Game led by Annaka Harris.)
Using teamwork, and by paying attention to what’s happening around us, we pass a cup without spilling a drop of water.
We hold a cube of ice until it melts to notice the difference between a feeling and a reaction. (Game led by Gene Lushtak.)
We imagine that everyone is happy, safe, healthy, and living in peace to practice kindness and concentration.
We pretend to rock a stuffed animal to sleep on our bellies to relax our bodies and quiet our minds.