Mindfulness for Children, Teens, and Teachers
Serving Greater Boston and Beyond
Practicing mindfulness since 2002
Over 10,000 youth empowered with mindfulness since 2008
Modeling what it is to be mindful, Gabriel walks the walk in his work with youth - a prerequisite for reaching the skeptical teen.
- Dr. Christopher Willard
Licensed psychotherapist, educational consultant, and author.
"Modeling what it is to be mindful, Gabriel walks the walk in his work with youth - a prerequisite for reaching the skeptical teen."
- Dr. Christopher Willard, Licensed psychotherapist, educational consultant, and author.
For Teachers
Professional Development Workshops and Presentations, One-on-One or Group Mindfulness Mentoring, etc.
"Gabriel brings to WMS a wealth of knowledge and skills around mindfulness. He helps students and staff learn how to bring focused attention to the present moment through sensory experiences and exercises. In doing so students and staff build their capacity for metacognition and develop skills to calm, self soothe, and be fully present for whatever lies ahead. Gabriel is skilled at working with individuals and matching the tools he offers to individual needs. He also helps small and large groups of students through classroom exercises, mindful hangout lunches, and leadership groups - helping students explore who they are, what they value, and how they might forge a path towards their goals. Gabriel models the aspects of BERT - Belonging, Empathy, Respect, and Trust - that we prioritize through his work at WMS."
-Betsy Gavron, Principal, Wayland Middle School
"Gabriel's authenticity and joie de Vivre naturally capture the teens attention and engage them in the here and now in a very positive and life affirming way."
-Chas DiCapua, Teacher iBme, Resident Teacher IMS
“Gabriel offers young people a gentle presence that wraps their experience in warmth and kindness. Young people relate to him as they would a kind and wise older brother, someone they want to emulate. His work with young people is an expression of his many years of practice and it is an expression that many young people benefit from."
-Rod Owens, Teacher iBme, Teacher NDF, Author
"Gabriel’s dedication to teens, and their wholesome development, in particular through mindfulness-based learning, is central to who Gabriel is: caring, conscientious, and selfless - he embodies qualities that are critical to the understanding and unfolding of mindfulness.”
-Chris Crotty, Founder and Lead Teacher of Boston Meditation Center, Teacher iBme
When will you use mindfulness? "When I have a bad dream." -Pre-Kindergartener
"At the playground my mom couldn't hear me and I did mindfulness to slow things down because it was really scary." -Kindergartener
"When I am angry I do mindfulness and calm down." -1st Grader
"When someone speaks another language I use mindfulness to help me when I get nervous so that I can make good friends with them." -1st Grader
"When my mom gets angry at dad I use mindful breathing." -1st Grader
“Mindfulness has helped me focus better in the classroom and calming down when I am so sad.” -2nd Grader
“Mindful breathing has helped me in some pretty stressful situations. It can help you too.” -4th Grader
"I learned how to be much more calm and steady.” -5th Grader
"I learned you can’t control thoughts. If you try to tame/control them it makes you go crazy, you just have to let them free and all that stress and unhappiness will go away." -6th Grader
"If the teacher annoys me, I breathe and notice little things." -9th Grader
"It changed my mood thinking about someone I love so much. I liked that exercise." -10th Grader
"It helps me keep calm." -12th Grader
Mindfulness For Students
8 Week Curriculums, Intro Sessions, Presentations, etc.
The gold standard for mindfulness curriculum, Mindful Schools 8 week curriculum is used across the US and world. The lessons are simple, concise, and effective. For elementary aged children, including pre-K, the lessons are 15 minutes long twice a week. For middle and high school lessons are ~50 minutes once a week. Gabriel has trained with Mindful Schools and has delivered their lessons many times. To read more about this curriculum and research on mindfulness with youth take a look at the Mindful Schools website. Considering bringing Gabriel to your school in Greater Boston? Scheduling is a challenge so reach out early.
Interested in an introductory session, a short mindfulness series, abbreviated curriculum, or presentation? Reach out to co-develop something that will fit your schools needs.
“My students like mindfulness so much, they ask to do it as a group often.” -Classroom Teacher
“I loved this program. Really helps students and teachers cope with anxiety. Great way to encourage focusing without making them focus.” -Classroom Teacher
"When my son arrived home from school he said, "I'm not calm now. I need to take a few mindful breaths.”" -Father
Mindfulness For Teachers
Professional Development, One-on-One, or Group Mindfulness Mentoring.
Is your school considering a mindfulness workshop in its Professional Development Programming? Would hosting a mindfulness workshop support your hard-working teachers?
Introduction to Mindfulness (A workshop Gabriel has delivered)
Teaching is a demanding profession. By practicing mindfulness it can make us and our students happier and calmer by helping us manage stress, communicate better, manage difficult student behavior more skillfully, maintain emotional balance, and stay focused on the task at hand. In this class we will cover what mindfulness is, how it benefits us as teachers, and what happens in our brains’ that makes it work. We will learn and practice several mindfulness exercises together. You will leave knowing how to continue practicing mindfulness on your own.
"Gabriel was thoughtful and engaging during his presentation at our professional development workshop. In a short period of time, he taught some very useful techniques that teachers could apply in their classrooms right away. His calm and nurturing demeanor made everyone feel comfortable. He also sparked an interest in Mindfulness that is vital to any school program." -Korey Barkley, Burlington Public Schools
Bring Gabriel in to work with a group of teachers or one-on-one. Is there a particularly challenging group of students? Do some of your teachers need a little extra support? A series of teacher meetings to teach mindfulness can have immediate positive impact in the classroom.
“Mindfulness helps me to calm down and be more effective in my job.” -Classroom Teacher
“I remember to speak more mindfully to my students and colleagues.” -Classroom Teacher
“I use mindfulness at home to help with stress.” -Classroom Teacher
"Most of our teens had never heard of or practiced mindfulness before Gabriel joined us. This was a completely new experience for them and he guided each group into a journey of exercises and reflection. He has taught them new tactics and strategies to calm themselves down, notice what their bodies are feeling, and why it is important to be still and silent for a moment in this hectic world." -Kasey Boston, Director of Youth Employment and Leadership at St. Stephen's Youth Programs
Mindfulness For After School Programs and Camps
Programming to fit your needs - for youth and/or staff.
A teen after school program? A weekly one hour mindfulness series is a good option. Mindfulness exercises can be oriented around building kind and compassionate behavior within a group and community. It can help with both teens who are bullied and the bullies too.
A summer camp for children? Adding a mindfulness program can add a lot to a camp experience. By slowing down children can recharge and appreciate the day more fully. More active movement oriented mindfulness can keep even the most energetic youngsters engaged.
How can mindfulness contribute to your successful youth program? Youth rely on the presence of emotionally level headed adults to calm themselves, learn, and grow. Offering mindfulness skills to your staff can have direct positive impacts on the youth they serve even without teaching the skills to the youth.
Working with some challenges? Mindfulness can help with that too.
Mentoring
Individual, Family, and Group Tutoring in Mindfulness.
Working one-on-one can be a good option for youth who are high achievers, those that are having a hard time, and everyone in between. Gabriel is patient and caring. Supporting resistance and not fighting it allows Gabriel to reach teenagers and children who have a history of rejecting help and support.
Gabriel has worked with a number of families as both individual families and groups of families together. Learning mindfulness together can bring families closer, give each member of the family the same tool kit to work with strong emotions, and be both fun and relaxing! Schedule a group mindfulness workshop and invite your friends and their families too.
"I met Gabriel in a parent information session, when he was teaching mindfulness techniques in my son’s fifth grade. At the time we were looking for someone to work with our family on mindfulness-based approaches to managing anxiety and distractibility. Other families we knew through the school were looking for something similar, so at our request, Gabriel held a couple of classes for parents & kids at our home. He has a remarkable ability to listen to and engage kids at a range of ages, including kids who are resistant, or very distractible, or anxious. He also has a lovely, calm presence which made the adults feel comfortable learning from him. In addition to enjoying the classes, we all took something useful away from it." -Mother
Pictured is Gabriel, as a teenager, learning how to walk mindfully.
About Gabriel P. Baldwin
Gabriel began learning mindfulness as a fifteen year old at a mindfulness retreat for teenagers at the Insight Meditation Society. As a depressed and bullied teen, learning mindfulness was invaluable to overcoming these challenges. As a staff person on these retreats since 2008 he has now participated in over 25 with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education and Insight Meditation Society. After transitioning out of a successful career as an engineer and consultant in the field of energy efficiency and green construction during his 20s he now teaches mindfulness in public schools and after school programs and camps in Greater Boston and beyond.
Gabriel is a graduate of the Hakomi Institute’s Comprehensive Training in Mindfulness Centered Somatic Psychotherapy and has trained with Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, Mindful Schools, Mindfulness in Schools Project, Calmer Choice, and the Center for Adolescent Studies. He attends regular silent retreats and weekly sits at local meditation centers. He can also be seen in parks around Boston doing Primal Practice, a playful embodied movement practice that draws from multiple yoga, martial, meditation, and movement disciplines.
Contact
To reach me, inquire about my availability, discus how I could fit your program, or ask a question simply fill out the form below. I will gladly respond. Thank you!
Services Overview:
For Students - 8 Week Curriculums, Intro Sessions, Presentations, etc.
For Teachers - Professional Development Workshops and Presentations, One-on-One or Group Mindfulness Mentoring, etc.
For After Schools and Camps - Programming to fit your needs - for youth and/or staff
Mentoring - Individual, Family, and Group Tutoring in Mindfulness