What Matters in Teaching Mindfulness to Teens

What Matters in Teaching Mindfulness to Teens

21st century skills are essential competencies needed for success in today’s world, including both personal and professional life. Future ready, social and emotional learning.

Join us for a practical and inspiring session designed for all school staff – educators, youth workers, counselors, parents and anyone working with teens. This workshop draws on over a decade of experience implementing mindfulness in high schools and community programs, focusing on how to meaningfully share these tools with teens in a way that resonates.

We’ll explore:

• Real-life examples of mindfulness in action with teens
• Engaging practices and activities to try with youth
• Strategies for integrating mindfulness into educational, community, and counseling settings

The session will also introduce The Mindful Edge™ Stress Management and Life Strategies for Teens, a program for being with the ups and downs of life, a skill-based, trauma-sensitive, evidence-informed program supporting teens in navigating the ups and downs of life. It includes movement, breathwork, and reflective practices.

You’ll leave with:

• Insights into what makes a strong facilitator
• Tools for managing resistance and navigating challenges
• Guidance on ensuring programs remain secular and inclusive
• A clear understanding of the connection between mindfulness and mental health
• A curated resource list of books, apps, and websites for teens

Whether you’re new to teaching mindfulness or looking to deepen your impact, this session offers a grounded and compassionate framework for supporting youth well-being.

Bio: Heidi Bornstein, RP, Yoga Teacher CYA-E-RYT GOLD, Founder Mindfulness Everyday, Director SMART Ontario, MBSR & SMART Facilitator, Mindful Movement and Qigong Teacher

Heidi Bornstein is a certified Hatha yoga and meditation teacher with expertise in mindfulness-based stress reduction and trauma-sensitive practices. She has extensive training from the International Meditation Institute in India, as well as certifications in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Science, and Yoga Ed for diverse populations, including children, teens, and at-risk groups. Heidi’s mindfulness training includes Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) under the guidance of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Dr. Saki Santorelli, Roy Hintsa, and Dr. Diane Reibel. She is also trained in Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness, smartEducationTM, and Mindfulness for Kids at Risk. Additionally, she holds certification in Medical Qigong Self-Healing (Levels A & B). As a co-creator of the Yoda-Yoga Program for Kids and The Mindful Edge® – Stress Reduction and Life Strategies for Teens, Heidi specializes in developing accessible mindfulness and wellness programs for schools and organizations. She is the program coordinator for SMART Ontario, an advisor for the Mindfulness Council of Canada, and an instructor at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. Since 2002, Heidi has been teaching yoga, mindfulness, and meditation, supporting individuals and communities across educational, professional, and therapeutic settings.

Location: Westmount Secondary School Auditorium – 39 Montcalm Dr. Hamilton, Ontario

Parking: Please park in one of the two school parking lots or at the Recration Centre next door. No street parking.

Entrance: Please use the Main Doors that leads into the front foyer as the presentation will be in the auditorium.