1. Lotus Yoga & Lotus in Action:
Organization Profile
operating from Lotus Yoga Newark
2. 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.
3. Our Footprint
Lotus has served thousands of children and adults throughout New Jersey.
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
• Montclair Public Schools Link Community School
Louise A. Spencer Elementary School
McKinley Elementary School
Mildred Helms Youth Enrichment Program
• Bloomfield Public Schools
Nevada Street Apartments
Newton Street School
Quitman Street School
• VA Hospital
Regional Day School
• La Casa Don Pedro, Newark
Samuel L. Berliner School
• Essex County Juv. Detention Center
South Street School
Sussex Avenue Elementary School
• Newark Public Schools The Clubhouse
The Learning Community, Central Ward
• Elizabeth Public Schools YES Center
4. Lotus: An Integrated Approach
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
CENTERS
• Centers for Families in • Elementary Schools
Crisis • Middle Schools
• Detention Centers • High Schools
• Mentoring Programs • Charter Schools
• Apartment Complexes • Intern Programs
Quality & Sustainability • Learning Communities • Staff Development
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 • La Casa de Don Pedro
• Let’s Move! Newark
are key to the success of our vision. • Teacher Training
• Lincoln Park Coast
• Community
Cultural District
Support
• Newark Housing Authority
• Newark YWMCA
• Trust for Public Land
LOTUS YOGA PARTNERS
6. Guiding Principles, Lotus KIDS Program
Right My intention is to live in harmony with myself, others, and the environment
Intention around me.
Right I realize the power of my words to heal or to hurt, to create something beautiful or
Speech to destroy it.
I do my best knowing that greatness is within me. I avoid all forms of stealing,
Right
fighting and violence. I take care of my body and respect it as a gift by filling it
Action with the right foods, practicing yoga, avoiding drugs, etc.
Right I understand that my thoughts create my reality so I stay aware of my state of
Mindfulness mind.
I understand that to bring these principles of yoga into focus, I must channel my
Right
mind, keeping my eye on the prize. Through yoga and meditation, I experience
Concentration bliss, serenity, the power of awareness, and self- knowledge.
7. Sample Class Breakdown
Ages 3-5 Ages 6-9 Ages 10-12 Ages 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,
5-15 min 5 – 15 min
Journaling
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.
9. 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
10. Minimal Investment, Maximum Benefit
Annual Investment Benefits of Yoga for Kids & Teens
Increases concentration, focus and
Please contact us to discuss pricing for the
attention
yoga program that best suits the needs of
your organization. Builds self-esteem and confidence
Cultivates a relaxed state physically and
Program cost includes yoga instruction and mentally
all necessary materials. Materials for yoga Offers healthy tools for stress/anger
classes include but are not limited to the
following; yoga mats, yoga props, journals, management
and handouts. Encourages creativity and imagination
Fosters cooperation, tolerance, and
Note: Lotus in Action believes in limiting
compassion
class sizes to ensure an optimal learning
environment. Promotes non-harming of self and others
Increases environmental awareness
11. Specialized Yoga
Lotus Yoga is able to create a tailored program to address your needs.
Yoga for Special Needs (Cognitive and Physical)
Yoga for Athletes
Yoga for Academic Success
Yoga for Anger Management/Conflict Resolution
Yoga for Team Building
Yoga for Stress Reduction
Yoga for Depression
12. Case Study: Lotus in Elizabeth Public Schools
6 classes
Program Feedback
K-2nd grade, Madison-Monroe School #16 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.
Annex Today’s Date:
1.
School:
How many of your students, in each grade, participated in the Lotus in Action yoga program?
4th & 5th grade, Toussaint L’ouverture-
Grade Male Female
e.g. 6th grade 8 students 8 students
Marquis de Lafayette School #6 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
6th grade, Robert Morris School #18
particular characteristic, or it is not applicable, please put an “X” in Don’t Know/Not Sure.
Don’t
Improved Improved Improved Did not Know/Not
greatly somewhat a little improve Sure
6th grade, Joseph Battin School #4 concentration/focus
self-control
social skills
7th grade, Joseph Battin School #4 mood
anger management
classroom performance
8th grade, Mabel G. Holmes School #5
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?
45-minute class once a week for 6 4. Do you have any suggestions for improving the Lotus in Action in school yoga program?
weeks 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
46 students; 41 males and 5 females Initial Teacher Feedback
One-page feedback form completed by Elizabeth
Public School teachers, June 7 - 13, 2011
13. Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback
Teachers report improvement in
all metrics assessed “I noticed that my students really look forward to yoga.
They tend to anticipate the class daily.”
Concentration/focus 6th Grade Teacher, Robert Morris School
Self-control
Social skills
“In general my students have become more aware of
Mood themselves and their ability to adapt to new things, which
Anger management has given them a sense of accomplishment. As a group they
have become more focused and able to work together with less
Classroom performance inhibition of doing things, not worrying about what others
Classroom attendance may be thinking of them.”
Self esteem 6th Grade Teacher, Joseph Battin School
Physical fitness: strength
Physical fitness: flexibility “The students have demonstrated appropriate physical
Cooperation/teamwork contact, teamwork, improved concentration/focus and
maintaining of personal space in their yoga class. The
Noteworthy increase in students have responded to strategies from Yoga during
cooperation/teamwork and regular class time.”
K-2 Teacher, Madison Monroe School
classroom performance
14. Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback
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
15. Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback
Perceived Impact: Personal Effect
4 of 6 teachers perceive student cooperation/teamwork to have “greatly improved,”
with additional boosts in mood and self esteem
Source: Elizabeth Public Schools & Lotus Yoga, 2011
16. Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback
Perceived Impact: Physical Fitness
4 of 6 teachers perceive improvement in students’ physical strength and flexibility
Source: Elizabeth Public Schools & Lotus Yoga, 2011
17. Elizabeth Public Schools: Teacher Feedback
Perceived Impact: Classroom Metrics
5 of 6 teachers perceive their students’ classroom performance to have improved “greatly” or “somewhat”
Source: Elizabeth Public Schools & Lotus Yoga, 2011
18. Elizabeth Public Schools:
Teacher Feedback Form Tallies
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
19. Elizabeth Public Schools:
Teacher Feedback Form Tallies
Don't Know/ Did Not Improved Improved Improved
Not Sure Improve A Little Somewhat Greatly
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
20. Thank You
Contact:
Jennifer Kohl
Director, Lotus Yoga/ Lotus in Action
460 Washington Street, #1
Newark, New Jersey 07102
Email: jenniferlkohl@gmail.com
Mobile: 562.537.0838
04/01/13
21. Appendix: About Lotus Yoga & Lotus in Action
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.
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.
22. Appendix: Case Study
Baltimore, MD
Reduces problematic involuntary engagement responses in Baltimore 4th- and 5th-grade students
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.
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
23. Appendix: Case Study
South 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.
24. Appendix: Case Study
South 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.
25. Appendix: Case Study
Boulder, CO
Increases self-regulation of anger management in Boulder 4th and 5th grade students
Students found a program of hatha yoga and yogic philosophy of non-violence
decreased their feelings of anger and acting out.
Source: Marie, Dee, Grace Wyshak, PhD, George H Wyshak DMD, PhD “Yoga Prevents Bullying in School” manuscript.
26. Appendix: Case Study
Data
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
Baltimore,
the intervention; the other two schools served as the wait-list controls and did not receive the intervention
MD 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.
During the 2002-2003 academic year 310 3rd-8th grade students from The Accelerated School a public
Los Angeles, charter school in urban South Central Los Angeles received yoga instruction 60 minutes (elementary school)
CA 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
Boulder,
sessions which totaled 4-1/2 hours of yoga training per year. Lessons in asana, yoga philosophy and role
CO 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.
