Sensory and Mindfulness-based Yoga for Learning Environments™ (SMYLE™) is designed to help school children, adolescents, and individuals with special needs:

  • Effectively manage stress before it leads to emotional imbalance and/or inappropriate behaviors
  • Develop emotional resiliency, i.e. the ability to rise to meet a challenge or threat as well as easily calm oneself once it has passed
  • Decrease hypervigilance and overreaction to sensory input (e.g. visual, crowds, touch, noise, movement)
  • Improve quality of sleep and energy level to support wellness and enhance daily productivity
  • Decrease intrusive thoughts by learning to become present through breath and body awareness
  • Enhance sense of self-worth and personal empowerment

This 20-hour webinar workshop is taught in two parts. Both parts are sold together and a certificate of completion cannot be granted unless all hours are completed. Should sickness or another emergency arise, the participant will need to complete the course at a future SMYLE training.  Attendance at all prior sessions is required before attending the final two sessions of Part 2, which includes planning and presenting the final group lab. 

Part 1- The Science and Theory 

Wednesdays: April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 11
5 – 
7 pm EST

Part 1 will present the science/ evidence base, theoretical model, and a detailed discussion of each of the guidelines for practice through a child-focused lens. Part 1 includes several experiential activities but is mostly lecture and discussion.  It provides a solid scientific and theoretical grounding for the various chair and mat practices that are presented in Part 2. Part 1 will be delivered in five weekly two-hour sessions.  

Sessions will be recorded but live attendance (via Zoom) is strongly encouragedNo yoga experience is necessary.  (9 contact hours)

A code-word system will be used to confirm that the participant attended Part 1 live or watched the recordings. 

Part 2- The Practice

Wednesdays: May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22
5 – 
7:30 pm EST

Each day consists of 3 two-hour sessions with a half hour break in-between each one.

Part 2 will present evidence-based, trauma informed practices that can be incorporated into particular activities and various time points during the school day. Both mat and chair versions of the yoga forms and movements will be taught, along with child-friendly breathing and meditation practices. Participants will have opportunities to practice the techniques in pairs and small groups and will also collaborate on classroom design. This training program is highly experiential and includes a detailed manual. Yoga experience is not required.   (11 contact hours)

Live attendance (via Zoom) is required for all Part 2 sessions.  

Faculty for Part 1 & 2: 

  • Lynn Stoller, OT, M.S., C-IAYT, RYT 500/E-RYT, YACEP
  • Holly Marron, OT, RYT
  • Meg Hennessey Schofield, MEdRYT
    see team bios

Part 1 & 2 combined offer 20 continuing education contact hours

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has authorized the Sensory-Enhanced Yoga Institute to award Professional Development Points (PDPs) to Massachusetts Educators.  Our PD Provider number is: S20200018, and our provider name and information are posted to the Massachusetts PD Provider Registry at www.doe.mass.edu/pd

  • Part 1, Session 1
    April 13, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Part 1, Session 2
    April 20, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Part 1, Session 3
    April 27, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Part 1, Session 4
    May 4, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Part 1, Session 5
    May 11, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
  • Part 2, Session 1
    May 18, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Part 2, Session 2
    May 25, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Part 2, Session 3
    June 1, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Part 2, Session 4
    June 8, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Part 2, Session 5
    June 15, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
  • Part 2, Session 6
    June 22, 2022
    5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

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