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Lotus Yoga & Lotus in Action:

Organization Profile

operating from Lotus Yoga Newark

Lotus at a Glance

Lotus Yoga and its not-for-profit extension, Lotus In Action, offer yoga and meditation as a means to create positive change in the world.

Lotus programs are specifically designed to provide participants with educational and empowerment tools resulting in the physical, mental and emotional well being of the individual and the community at large.

Lotus serves all individuals equally regardless of age, gender, race, religion, and cognitive or physical abilities.

Lotus has been successfully operating programs since 2005 in the following environments: public schools, detention centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, senior centers, domestic violence shelters, and other locations where there are people in need.

Lotus has served thousands of children and adults throughout New Jersey.

Our Footprint

13th Avenue School 18th Avenue School BRICK Avon Academy Big Picture High Schools Burnett Street School Central High School Essex County Juvenile Detention La Casa de Don Pedro Link Community School Louise A. Spencer Elementary School McKinley Elementary School Mildred Helms Youth Enrichment Program Nevada Street Apartments Newton Street School Quitman Street School Regional Day School Samuel L. Berliner School South Street School Sussex Avenue Elementary School The Clubhouse The Learning Community, Central Ward YES Center

• Essex County Juv. Detention Center

• Montclair Public Schools

• La Casa Don Pedro, Newark

• Bloomfield Public Schools

• Newark Public Schools

• VA Hospital

• Elizabeth Public Schools

Lotus: An Integrated Approach

COMMUNITYCENTERS

PARTNERSLOTUS YOGA

SCHOOLS

• La Casa de Don Pedro• Let’s Move! Newark • Lincoln Park Coast

Cultural District • Newark Housing

Authority• Newark YWMCA• Trust for Public Land

• Elementary Schools

• Middle Schools• High Schools• Charter Schools• Intern Programs• Staff

Development

• Centers for Families in Crisis

• Detention Centers• Mentoring Programs• Apartment Complexes• Learning Communities

• Teacher Training• Community

Support

Quality & Sustainability

We can’t do it alone, but together we can do it all. Lotus seeks to provide culturally competent, quality, health and wellness programs that are sustainable. Community partnerships are key to the success of our vision.

Community Investment: Newark Studio

Guiding Principles, Lotus KIDS Program

My intention is to live in harmony with myself, others, and the environment around me.

RightIntention

I realize the power of my words to heal or to hurt, to create something beautiful or to destroy it.

RightSpeech

I do my best knowing that greatness is within me. I avoid all forms of stealing, fighting and violence. I take care of my body and respect it as a gift by filling it with the right foods, practicing yoga, avoiding drugs, etc.

RightAction

I understand that my thoughts create my reality so I stay aware of my state of mind.

RightMindfulnes

sI understand that to bring these principles of yoga into focus, I must channel my mind, keeping my eye on the prize. Through yoga and meditation, I experience bliss, serenity, the power of awareness, and self- knowledge.

RightConcentrat

ion

Sample Class Breakdown

Ages 3-5 Ages 6-9Ages 10-

12Ages 13-

16

Postures 20-30 min 30 min 35-45 min 35-45 min

Gross Motor Skills 10 min 10 min

Arts & Crafts 5-10 min 5-10 min

Song, Story, Relaxation 5 min

Breathing, Relaxation, Meditation

5- 10 min 5-10 min 5 – 15 min

Philosophy, Sharing, Discussion, Journaling

5-15 min 5 – 15 min

Total Time 45 min 60 min 60 min 60 min

The Lotus Program promotes happiness and freedom from suffering for all beings through education, exploration, and positive thoughts,

words and actions.

The Response: Through Pictures

The Response: In Their Words

“Through learning the practice of yoga, our students have been able to self-regulate their behavior and exhibit self-control in trying situations. For example, the other day, I was approached by Yasmine, an eighth grader, during dismissal. She looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Ms. M, I need yoga right now.’ She stared at me and put her hands in front of her heart as a fight broke out behind her. Students like Yasmine are now able to identify situations in which their yoga practice is practical and useful.”

Danielle Mastrogiovanni, Teacher, Newton Street School, Newark

“Over the past four years, Lotus in Action has been providing Yoga Instruction to the Special Needs classes at Brick Avon Academy twice a week. This program has provided our students with many benefits, some of which are healthy tools for stress management, building of confidence and self-esteem, and fostering cooperation, tolerance, and compassion.

Kathleen Carlson, Special Needs Teacher, Brick Avon Academy, Newark

“We believe that to sustain successful schools where authentic and relevant learning takes place, we must continually innovate techniques and test learning tools to make our schools better and more rigorous. For the past year, Lotus in Action has been a consistent supporter of our schools and students in Newark. We’ve been very pleased with their work with our young students and look forward to our continued work together.”

Carlos Moreno, Director of School Reform & Innovation NJ , Big Picture Learning, Newark

Minimal Investment, Maximum Benefit

Annual Investment

Please contact us to discuss pricing for the yoga program that best suits the needs of your organization.

Program cost includes yoga instruction and all necessary materials. Materials for yoga classes include but are not limited to the following; yoga mats, yoga props, journals, and handouts.

Note: Lotus in Action believes in limiting class sizes to ensure an optimal learning environment.

Benefits of Yoga for Kids & TeensIncreases concentration, focus and attentionBuilds self-esteem and confidenceCultivates a relaxed state physically and mentallyOffers healthy tools for stress/anger managementEncourages creativity and imaginationFosters cooperation, tolerance, and compassionPromotes non-harming of self and othersIncreases environmental awareness

Lotus Yoga is able to create a tailored program to address your needs.

Yoga for Special Needs (Cognitive and Physical)Yoga for AthletesYoga for Academic SuccessYoga for Anger Management/Conflict ResolutionYoga for Team BuildingYoga for Stress ReductionYoga for Depression

Specialized Yoga

Case Study: Lotus in Elizabeth Public Schools

6 classes K-2nd grade, Madison-Monroe School

#16 Annex 4th & 5th grade, Toussaint

L’ouverture-Marquis de Lafayette School #6

6th grade, Robert Morris School #18 6th grade, Joseph Battin School #4 7th grade, Joseph Battin School #4 8th grade, Mabel G. Holmes School

#5

45-minute class once a week for 6 weeks

46 students; 41 males and 5 females

Initial Teacher FeedbackOne-page feedback form completed by Elizabeth Public School teachers,

June 7 - 13, 2011

Program Feedback Your perspective is important to us and will help us improve and enhance Lotus in Action programs.

We greatly appreciate your completing this brief feedback form. Today’s Date: School: 1. How many of your students, in each grade, participated in the Lotus in Action yoga program?

Grade Male Female e.g. 6th grade 8 students 8 students

2. Thinking about all your students who participated in Lotus in Action yoga program, overall to what extent you have observed

change in the qualities listed below. Please indicate with an “X” the extent to which you observed change. If, you haven’t had the opportunity to observe a particular characteristic, or it is not applicable, please put an “X” in Don’t Know/Not Sure.

Improved

greatly Improved somewhat

Improved a little

Did not improve

Don’t Know/Not

Sure concentration/focus

self-control social skills mood anger management classroom performance classroom attendance self esteem physical fitness; strength physical fitness; flexibility cooperation/teamwork

3. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about what you have observed with your students?

4. Do you have any suggestions for improving the Lotus in Action in school yoga program? Please check the following, if applicable: □ Yes, I give permission to Lotus in Action to quote my comments anonymously in publicity materials. □ Yes, I would like to be contacted to provide additional information and perspective in order to help Lotus in Action improve and enhance its school programs. The Lotus in Action Program Evaluator can contact me at: Name ______________________________ Phone _____________ Email _____________________________

If you have any questions, or concerns, please contact: Jennifer Kohl, Executive Director Lotus in Action 7 North Willow Street, Suite 3 Montclair, NJ 07042 973-783-5060

Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback

Teachers report improvement in all metrics assessed Concentration/focus Self-control Social skills Mood Anger management Classroom performance Classroom attendance Self esteem Physical fitness: strength Physical fitness: flexibility Cooperation/teamwork

Noteworthy increase in cooperation/teamwork and classroom performance

“In general my students have become more aware of themselves and their ability to adapt to new things, which has given them a sense of accomplishment. As a group they have become more focused and able to work together with less inhibition of doing things, not worrying about what others may be thinking of them.”

6th Grade Teacher, Joseph Battin School

“I noticed that my students really look forward to yoga. They tend to anticipate the class daily.”

6th Grade Teacher, Robert Morris School

“The students have demonstrated appropriate physical contact, teamwork, improved concentration/focus and maintaining of personal space in their yoga class. The students have responded to strategies from Yoga during regular class time.”

K-2 Teacher, Madison Monroe School


Elizabeth Public School Classroom teachers report improvements across the board, especially in the areas of cooperation/teamwork and classroom performance.

Source: Elizabeth Public Schools & Lotus Yoga, 2011


4 of 6 teachers perceive student cooperation/teamwork to have “greatly improved,” with additional boosts in mood and self esteem

Perceived Impact: Personal Effect



4 of 6 teachers perceive improvement in students’ physical strength and flexibility

Perceived Impact: Physical Fitness



5 of 6 teachers perceive their students’ classroom performance to have improved “greatly” or “somewhat”

Perceived Impact: Classroom Metrics


Grade Males

Females

Total

School

8th grade 3 2 5 Mabel G. Holmes School #5

7th grade 6 0 6 Joseph Battin School #4

6th grade 7 0 7 Robert Morris School #18

6th grade 11 0 11 Joseph Battin School #4

4th & 5th grade

8 1 9 Toussaint L’ouverture-Marquis de Lafayette School #6

K-2nd grade 6 2 8 Madison-Monroe School #16 Annex

Total 41 5 46

Elizabeth Public Schools:Teacher Feedback Form Tallies

Elizabeth Public Schools:Teacher Feedback Form Tallies

Don't Know/

Not SureDid NotImprove

ImprovedA Little

Improved Somewhat

ImprovedGreatly

classroom attendance 1 2 1 1 1

concentration/focus 1 4 1

social skills 1 1 3 1

physical fitness; strength 2 1 2 1

physical fitness; flexibility 2 1 2 1

anger management 2 3 1

mood 2 3 1

self esteem 1 1 4

self-control 1 4 1

classroom performance 1 3 2

cooperation/teamwork 1 1 4

04/15/23

Thank You

Contact:Jennifer Kohl

Director, Lotus Yoga/ Lotus in Action460 Washington Street, #1Newark, New Jersey 07102

Email: [email protected]: 562.537.0838

Appendix: About Lotus Yoga & Lotus in Action

Lotus in Action is the not-for-profit arm of Lotus Yoga that offers yoga and meditation as a means to create positive change in the world. The Lotus in Action programs are specifically designed to provide participants with educational and empowerment tools resulting in the physical, mental and emotional well being of the individual and the community at large.

Lotus Yoga is a community-minded studio located in Newark, NJ offering yoga and meditation to adults and children of all ages and levels of ability. Founded in 2004, Lotus Yoga has served thousands of students in Essex County alone and has successfully trained over 100 yoga teachers through the Lotus Yoga Teacher Training programs.

Appendix: Case StudyBaltimore, MD

Source: Mendelson, Tamar, Mark T. Greenberg, Jacinda K. Dariotis, Laura Feagans Gould, Brittany L. Rhoades, Philip J. Leaf. “Feasibility and Preliminary Outcomes of a School-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Urban Youth.” Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology (2010) 38:985-994

Students who took yoga noted significantly less involuntary engagement than students who did not, particularly on sub-measure of rumination, emotional arousal and

intrusive thoughts.

Reduces problematic involuntary engagement responses in Baltimore 4th- and 5th-grade students

Appendix: Case StudySouth Central Los Angeles, CA

Boosts self esteem and physical fitness in South Central LA elementary and middle school students

Students report improved self esteem while state physical fitness tests demonstrate increases in flexibility, upper body strength and aerobic capacity along with

decreases in BMI.Source: Slovacek, Simeon P., Susan A. Tucker, Laura Pantoja. “A Study of the Yoga Ed Program at The Accelerated School.” Program Evaluation and Research Collaborative, Charter College of Education, California State University, Los Angeles. 2003.

Appendix: Case StudySouth Central Los Angeles, CA

Improves self regulation and self esteem in South Central LA elementary and middle school students

Teachers perceive student ability to self regulate to have improved as measured by yoga class participation and discipline, and that yoga had the greatest positive

impact on student ability to deal with stress and positive attitude toward their body.

Source: Slovacek, Simeon P., Susan A. Tucker, Laura Pantoja. “A Study of the Yoga Ed Program at The Accelerated School.” Program Evaluation and Research Collaborative, Charter College of Education, California State University, Los Angeles. 2003.

Appendix: Case StudyBoulder, CO

Source: Marie, Dee, Grace Wyshak, PhD, George H Wyshak DMD, PhD “Yoga Prevents Bullying in School” manuscript.

Students found a program of hatha yoga and yogic philosophy of non-violencedecreased their feelings of anger and acting out.

Increases self-regulation of anger management in Boulder 4th and 5th grade students

Appendix: Case Study Data

During the 2002-2003 academic year 310 3rd-8th grade students from The Accelerated School a public charter school in urban South Central Los Angeles received yoga instruction 60 minutes (elementary school) or 120 minutes (middle school) per week. Pre-Post self administered survey questionnaires were analyzed, as well as input from 18 core subject teachers and yoga instructors.

4th and 5th grade students at Heatherwood Elementary School in Boulder, Colorado. 101 students in 2004, 108 in 2005 and 105 in 2006 with a sex ratio approximately equal were instructed in for six (6) 45-minute sessions which totaled 4-1/2 hours of yoga training per year. Lessons in asana, yoga philosophy and role playing were led by Calming Kids. Each year pre and post program survey questionnaires were self-administered. Analysis was provided by Grace Wyshak, PhD Harvard Medical School of Public Heath.

Los Angeles, CA

Boulder,CO

The test group consisted of 97 fourth (55) and fifth (42) grade students in four Baltimore City public elementary schools instructed 45 minutes four days per week for 12 weeks in mindfulness approaches. . The test and control group students were recruited from 4 schools; two schools were randomized to receive the intervention; the other two schools served as the wait-list controls and did not receive the intervention until after completion of the pilot trial. Measurement included The Responses to Stress, The Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire – Child Version, and People in My Life questionnaires. Analysis was led by Tamar Mendleson PhD John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Baltimore,MD

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