In this episode of Educating to be Human, Lisa speaks with Atman Smith, founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, about the transformative power of bringing mindfulness, yoga, and meditation into not just schools, but also rehab centers and senior living centers. What began as a personal journey in search of deeper meaning evolved into a community-led program in West Baltimore—one of the most underserved and over-policed neighborhoods in the U.S.—focused on healing and self-regulation.

Atman shares how early interventions with students frequently sent to detention led to the creation of the Mindful Moment program, a trauma-informed model that replaces punishment with presence. Over time, their work has grown from a single after-school offering to a nationwide movement rooted in the belief that real learning happens from the inside out.

Together, they explore what it means to center emotional well-being in education, the resistance and rewards of shifting school culture, and why teaching students to breathe might be one of the most radical things we can do.

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Atman Smith is a co-founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, a Baltimore-based organization that has brought yoga and mindfulness to underserved communities since 2001. His work spans drug treatment centers, mental health facilities, schools, and corporations around the world, with a focus on supporting high-risk youth. A former University of Maryland basketball player, he holds a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Atman's impact has been widely recognized, with features on Good Morning America, CNN, The Oprah Magazine, and Steven Spielberg’s Why We Hate. He co-authored Let Your Light Shine, contributed to academic research on the effects of mindfulness on urban youth, and was named a 2024 "Game Changer" by Baltimore Magazine.

Resources:

Holistic Life Foundation, https://holisticlifefoundation.org/

Let Your Light Shine: How Mindfulness Can Empower Children and Rebuild Communities, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Let-Your-Light-Shine-Mindfulness/dp/0593332288

On Instagram @holisticlifefoundation and @atmansmith

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Educating to be Human is hosted by Lisa Petrides, produced by Helene Theros, recorded by Nathan Sherman, edited by Ty Mayer, with music by Orestis Koletsos.

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