Project Description
“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)
MAY Kids Transform is a program designed for teenagers that aims to alter inner and outer spaces through mindufulness, art and yoga.
Mindfulness is a practice that brings mind to a state of lightness and peace. It helps to reduce anxiety, to harmonize emotions, to achieve greater clarity and serenity. Practicing mindfulness from an early age leads to an improvement in school performance and attention span and concentration at school, and helps to increase self-esteem and self-confidence.
Art gives humans the power to discover themselves and use their voices. Through creative process, young people learn to articulate and express themselves in ways that value their truths and points of view. In a world where young people are often disconnected, art is a means through which they can re-connect with themselves and with the community around them. Through art, the idea of being creators of one’s own life is strengthened.
The practice of yoga harmonizes body and mind through breath and movement. A combination of delicate and energetic postures is taught for the well-being of body and mind. Through this practice, young people will be able to relax and strengthen the body, to achieve balance and reduce stress, by getting in contact with their inner self. By providing young people with precious tools, the program teaches them practices that strengthen them and make them more peaceful in dealing with daily difficulties. MAY Kids Transform cultivates emotional intelligence and helps to creatively direct energy and manage stress and anxiety. MAY Kids Transform engages teens in a safe group environment by creating a collaborative community that nurtures well-being, compassion, awareness, leadership, containment and self-esteem. By learning to manage stress healthily, students show greater self-confidence and are more motivated to perform well in school and make healthier choices in the face of life’s challenges. MAY Kids Transform collaborates with schools adapting with flexibility and openness to the needs and challenges posed by each of them.
The Pianoterra Foundation supported MAY Kids Transform activities in three New York schools for 2017 and 2018: LAB High School, Morton Middle and Clinton Middle.
