Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aubree Gilbert . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aubree, appreciate you joining us today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?

My mind is flooded with heartwarming stories and its hard to choose but there’s one thats been in my heart recently. During the pandemic I was teaching classes on Zoom which allowed me to teach at more and new schools since I didn’t have to worry about the commute. Anyone teaching or taking classes over Zoom during the pandemic knows there was a lot of black screens with just names or cover photos. I didn’t know what majority of my students looked like or what they sounded like. With little interaction I just kept leading from a healing playful and sensitive place. It was a very hard time and I offered practices on screen from inside my tiny studio-movement, breathing practices, art/journaling prompts and discussion. The first year back in person I was asked to come back to this alternative high school in Oakland. I got to meet all my Zoom students in person. We all had masks on so we didn’t fully get to see each other but it felt special to be in person with students who I only knew as names on a screen. One boy who was barely on Zoom showed up for classes every now and then. It was a rough transition for everyone in the school system and some students were having a really hard time showing up to classes. The last week of school he came to class and opened up. He said how he wants to do better in school, show up and do the work so he can graduate on time. He was falling behind and getting discouraged by it. The following year, this past school year, I was asked to come back again. This time no masks for the most part and returning students signing up for my class. Students received either PE or elective credit for taking my yoga class. This boy wasn’t in my class but I asked about him to one of the staff members and they told me that he was still not coming to school much and very disengaged. He found me when I was leaving school one day and he asked if he could switch to my class. His counselor let him and he began showing up for every class. I had such an amazing group of students in this class this past school year and he helped carry all the discussions and showed up with so much vulnerability, strength and warmth. I could count on him being there for each class. Most days we didn’t even do any movement, and the class became an open dialogue and student support group. On our last day of class he wrote me a note that said, “I’m gonna miss you. Thank you for helping me with my stress and anger issues. I appreciate every moment I spent in your class. You are one of the main reasons I came to school.” Then a week later I got to see him graduate. Words can’t even express all the precious moments I experienced at this school and that I will continue to carry with me.

Aubree, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Since 2018 I have been teaching trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness for mental health to staff and youth in high schools and juvenile detention centers. Through yoga and mindfulness practices I learned how to face myself and how to better myself. I knew I wanted to teach these practices but was always a little turned off by the sometimes “bougie-ness” of yoga studios. This guy I was dating at the time knew this and set me up with a former co-worker of his who was doing this work. I dove in head first and have now taught at 15+ schools in the Bay Area. Most people hear yoga teacher and assume I go in to teach a standard yoga class then get out. It is so much more than that. I’d like to just name some of the main differences of what I do compared to teaching in a studio (not that there’s anything wrong with teaching in a studio. its just different)

1) In most schools, the kids aren’t choosing to be there, which means I do A LOT of relationship building and getting buy-in. I go in to mostly low income schools with primarily kids of color. So coming in as a white yoga teacher takes some checking of my privilege and making the practices relatable.
2) Trauma-informed language is crucial-this means options, being aware of potential triggers and being flexible/adaptable for the different energies and experiences kids are showing up with.
3) A lot of my students live with anxiety, depression, PTSD, are exposed to violence, adversity etc-this means having a deep understanding of the body-how and where trauma is held-neuroscience and what movements or breathing techniques can be supportive and that not everything is going to work the same for everyone.
4) The space is inherently heavy. These kids have stories and I am there to listen, hold space, empathize and pull from my skill set to be as supportive as I can. I am not the boss-we co-create our space.
5) Behavior-since a lot of these kids have exposures to deep traumas, there are a lot of behavioral issues that come up. I do not use punishment tactics. Instead, I understand that every behavior is a sign of an unmet need. I choose restorative justice tactics and open, honest dialogue. I have a lot of patience and empathy for my students. Life is hard and I am there to try to make it just a little bit better, not worse.

As my relationships with students and staff at schools have strengthened, my roles have evolved. For example there is a high school I have been teaching at for 5 years now. I started in all the Freshmen Health classes and am now holding groups for students referred to me by the school counselors and social workers who need more mental health support. My classes aren’t just doing yoga poses and meditating. We do a lot of art prompts and reflection questions to build self awareness and give students the opportunity to share and relate to other kids. Sometimes the biggest take away is being heard and knowing you’re not alone.

I LOVE teaching in high schools because I had a really hard time in high school. I leaned heavily on substance abuse and hanging with people who weren’t good for me. I am grateful to be someone I wish I had at that age. I also offer support for adults.

The main goal of my work is to be a safe space for people to be curious about themselves. I offer grounding practices that aim to help people understand how our past plays a part in who we are and how we behave, but we can actively rewire ourselves for healthier relationships and habits. Everyone deserves to live a fulfilling life and find a safe place within themselves.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

This is a good question…I think my own experiences battling mental health issues and being a genuinely caring person has helped me in my field. I show up for my students with an open heart. I want to be a source of light in what I know can be a really dark and isolating world. As a teacher, we are often told to hold strong boundaries and not tell students too much about our personal lives. To a certain extent, I do think this is important. Yet at the same time, some of my biggest successes have come from sharing my truths, my downfalls and being vulnerable with them. Relatablility, respect and honesty are important to me. I can’t expect my students to open up if I don’t show them that I am willing to do the same. High school students want to be seen, heard and understood. A lot of adults get stuck in a power dynamic that makes kids put their walls up. I remember this when I was growing up and it wasn’t helpful for anyone. My own struggles, healing and sensitivity has been a big factor in my work.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I think I’m going to keep this one short and sweet so I don’t spiral into a novel.

Showing up over and over and over again. I have had students tell me they are thankful I am still there because so many people have given up on them. Through this work I have been brought to my knees and in tears so many times but I keep showing up. I never treat my students with anything but love and understanding while still holding them accountable. We are all out here trying to do our best. Some days I feel so defeated and like I just want to stay in bed, but I love my students and its usually the days that its hard to get up where a breakthrough or sweet moment happens and I am reminded of how powerful this work is.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mindfulskulls.com
• Instagram: mindful.skulls
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubree-gilbert-39420a120/

Image Credits
Lorna Heilala Tu’ufuli