From Inner Health to Outer Health

Holistic Life Foundation, Inc.www.hlfinc.org

•The Holistic Life Foundation is a Baltimore-based 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the wellness of children and adults in underserved communities. Through a comprehensive approach which helps children develop their inner lives through yoga, mindfulness and self-care, HLF demonstrates deep commitment to learning, community, and stewardship of the environment. HLF is also committed to developing high-quality evidence based programs and curriculum to improve community well-being.

HLF Mission

The Holistic Life Foundation (HLF) was founded in 2001 by brothers Ali and Atman Smith and their friend from college Andres Gonzalez.

About Us

HLF serves under-served communities with programs focusing on yoga & mindfulness and environmental health

Things we noticed

•Lack of connection•Lack if compassion•Extreme

hypervigilance•High Stress•Lack of healthy foods•High trauma•Lack of physical

activity•Lack of peace•Sense of hopelessness

•Yoga & Mindfulness•Tutoring & Homework

Assistance•Community Service•Environmental Education

& Advocacy•Athletics•Music•Art

Holistic Me after school program

2003

2010

19 of 20 graduated from high school

19 of 20 either in college or working full time

None incarcerated

All still practice yoga in some form

Workforce Development Program

Yoga/Mindfulness Study

• Partnership with Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and Penn State University

• Only randomized controlled trial with urban youth and yoga

Pilot:• 12 week curriculum, classes four times per week• Students showed increased concentration, ability to control

emotions, got in less trouble in school, decreased rumination

2nd round:• 24 week curriculum, classes twice per week• 4 schools to 6 schools and more students (from 100 to 250)• 3 year study instead of 1 year• Includes physiological measures and school based

measures, not only cognitive measures• Federally funded not just private donors• Not only pre- and post- but follow up assessments

Mindful Moment Program

•Pilot at Patterson High School •Students trained to facilitate

mindfulness practices•15 minutes twice per day•Engagement is tracked•4 staff is the school 20 hours per week•Classroom to refer students to•Study in partnership with TIIH and UMD•Funded by the 1440 Foundation and

Krieger Foundation

Holistic Life Foundation Mindfulness Based Programs

•Drug Treatment•Mental Illness•Juvenile Jail•Workshops•Trainings•Seniors•Environmental•Gang Outreach

HLF Program Benefits•Self Regulation•Improved Concentration and Focus•Peaceful Conflict Resolution•Thought and Emotional Awareness•Anger Management•Stress Reduction•“Think Before They Act”•Compassion•Interconnectedness•Empowerment•Social and Emotional Wellness •Improved Physical Health