Let Your Light Shine: How Mindfulness Can Empower Children and Rebuild Communities

This story of three men's work helping traumatized kids in one of America's most underserved cities reveals how mindfulness tools can help children and communities not only survive but thrive

In this inspiring book, founders of The Holistic Life Foundation Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez describe how they have spent the past twenty years teaching yoga, meditation, and breathwork to thousands of at-risk kids in Baltimore schools helping them to develop deep reserves of patience, empathy, resolve, and--when needed--the righteous anger that fuels deep structural change. Their work has received wide national attention due to their remarkable results: The schools that have participated in their programs have seen suspension rates plummet and graduation rates go through the roof.

Ali and Atman discovered as young children the power of mindfulness practices to sustain them through the challenges of growing up in a neighborhood in Baltimore that was struggling with poverty and violence--a community they now serve. The Holistic Life Foundation's mission is to empower kids to find this same stillness and light within themselves and to let it shine out to help change the world. In this book, Ali, Atman and Andres share hands-on mindfulness and meditation tools readers can teach kids that will empower them to do this same work in their own communities. Let Your Light Shine is essential reading for parents, educators, activists, and anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of young people.



About the Author
Ali Smith is co-founder and Executive Director of The Holistic Life Foundation. Ali was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he is a graduate of the Friends School of Baltimore and the University of Maryland, College Park, where he received a BS in Environmental Science and Policy. He is a pioneer in the fields of yoga and mindfulness in education, as well as trauma informed yoga and mindfulness. Ali has taught in seven countries on three continents. Co-Founder of HLF Atman Smith is a native of Baltimore. Atman attended the University of Maryland, College Park where he graduated with a B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Co-founder of HLF Andres Gonzalez is a certified Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, maintains a B.S. in Marketing from University of Maryland, College Park and an MBA from the University of Maryland, University College, and has over 20 years of experience providing yoga and mindfulness to populations all over the world