We were lucky to catch up with Kelly Wood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

As a child, I did not know how to positively regulate my feelings. They were strong, whether on the high or low side of the emotional scale. When I felt hurt or ignored, I would shut down. It seemed like days before my emotional balance would resume. Fortunately, I stumbled upon a flyer for a yoga class in my early twenties. The class was held in an elementary school library. Although this was a new experience for me, the quiet atmosphere of paying attention to breath and posture was familiar and appealing. From that first yoga class, I began pursuing yoga and meditation classes to cover over thirty years of practice. The work is ongoing; however, I continue to see the positive effects yoga and meditation, namely the breath, have on emotional balance. I started teaching yoga and meditation twenty-one years ago to adults and youths. I am dedicated to helping others learn tools of emotional regulation. Many people and I would argue everyone, benefit from utilizing tools to manage feelings. My approach to yoga mindfulness practice is different from typical yoga. From over thirty years of extensive, ongoing practice and teaching, my method bolsters social and emotional learning. I would not have found a way to address my own social and emotional learning and the ability to teach others if not for the incredible kindness of my teachers, who planted the seeds of inspiration within me to help myself and others.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Since 2002, I have pioneered yoga mindfulness methods in public schools. My program, SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness, offers a specific breathing approach paired with seated and standing postures. All methods align with academic standards, namely Speaking and Listening, Physical and Health Education. The SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness program helps build social and emotional learning skills in Kindergarten through high school youths. I also place equal attention on training educators to practice on their own to set the tone in the classroom, teach the methods, and be positive role models for students. Helping educators take the time to include my program methods in the bell schedule is challenging because they are stressed and exhausted from managing the increased behavioral issues along with more learning development issues in students. However, once educators make my program a daily occurrence (20 minutes once a week and less than five minutes every day), classrooms become more cohesive, manageable, and open to learning together. SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness practice develops self-discipline, improves attention, and promotes respect for others mainly through the unique approach of Calm Breathing Calm Hearts. My book, Calm Breathing Calm Hearts: Social and Emotional Learning for School and Life, will be published in December. It is written to inspire educators and even parents to use the simple methods of SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness in the classroom and at home.

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

My work is unique. I’ve had to clear my path for yoga in schools and show how my approach is not what is commonly considered yoga. Two things have helped me succeed as I pioneer the field of yoga mindfulness in public schools. First, my practice is consistent. Every day, I practice what I teach to youths and adults. I do not miss a day teaching full-time in public schools. I am constantly refining my practice and my teaching. The foundation of the SCHOOL Yoga & Mindfulness program remains consistent, but the nuances adjust as the years unfold to relate to youths and adults successfully. Second, I keep a long-range view, wholeheartedly convinced that yoga mindfulness methods to address social and emotional learning are needed to advance education. My dedication to helping all students and educators is unwavering. Whether times are fruitful or challenging through the years, I stay the course, innovating as needed. I’ve taught many thousands of youths and educators in person and online. I’ve created a digital library of lessons for educators to play on demand in their classrooms. My book is the latest offering to further use my program in classrooms and homes.

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

I think teaching consistently in public schools and owning a yoga studio have helped build my reputation. I volunteered my time for many years and went to multiple schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District every week for 20 minutes each classroom session. Volunteering was necessary to show the positive effects of my program to schools with very limited funding. I have mostly taught underserved youths who have been a complete joy to interact with and build rapport. I also love building relationships with educators. Volunteering also demonstrated my dedication to serving youths and educators in the community. My yoga studio, Karuna Yoga, was a hub of diverse and wonderful people from 2002-2010. Many connections were made in the Karuna Yoga community that facilitated my access to public school classrooms.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.school-yoga.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schoolkidsyogamindfulness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schoolyoga
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellywoodlosangeles/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/school_yoga
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBZLhFIccm8D13ItIDIux1w

Image Credits
My headshot is by Steven Ito. The other photos are taken by my staff.