OUR STORY
In 2002, at the beginning of the current surge in mindfulness research, SCHOOL, Inc. Founder Kelly Wood identified a demand for secular yoga and meditation for children and teachers in public schools. Parents from Kelly’s Karuna Yoga Studio in Los Angeles requested her to teach yoga in their children's classrooms. As a result, Kelly started conducting weekly classes, impacting over 1,000 students each week.
Over the past 22 years, Kelly has created, developed, and tested the SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness Program through more than 25,000 hours of direct experience with students and teachers, making her an expert in the field of secular yoga for the public school setting. SCHOOL, Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2012 and continues to pioneer yoga mindfulness methods for Title 1 youths.
SCHOOL, Inc. began offering the SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Training to educators in 2014 and expanded to an online format in 2017. We have trained over 1,000 public school teachers in Los Angeles Unified School and Pasadena Unified School Districts, New York City Department of Education, and other school districts across the country, reaching over 24,000 youths.
“SCHOOL Yoga has made a profound impact on my class this year. I was so encouraged when one of the parents told me her son does this ‘breathing thing’ at home when he gets frustrated and this young man is autistic (high functioning). SCHOOL Yoga is empowering our young ones!”
—Linda C., 3rd grade
“My students understand that we are doing SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness together so we all can be our best selves to learn. I have no doubt that this practice has helped me become a better teacher and person in general. I am not quick to react and take the time to have thoughtful conversations with my students.”
—Billie J., 6th grade teacher
“SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness is helping me create a more peaceful, friendly and supportive environment. My students are learning that they can use these practices to improve their mental and physical health.”
—Charlotte C., 2nd grade