logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
1h 6m

If You’ve Ever Doubted Whether Meditatio...

10% Happier
About this episode

New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers.

---

You may remember hearing a massively viral story from a few years ago about a school in Baltimore that gave students meditation, instead of detention. 

Ali Smith, Atman Smith, and Andres Gonzalez founded the Holistic Life Foundation and are the authors of Let Your Light Shine, which recounts the story of their work helping traumatized children in one of America’s most underserved cities, and how mindfulness tools can help children and communities not only survive, but thrive. 

In this episode we talk about: 

  • The story behind their meditation-instead-of-detention initiative
  • Their experience asking principals to give them the most challenging students
  • What it’s like working in one of the most violent cities in the world
  • The results from teaching students yoga and meditation
  • How we can apply the lessons they’ve learned to meditation and life

Content Warning: Explicit language. For a clean version of this episode, please listen on the Ten Percent Happier app or at tenpercent.com

Full Shownotes: https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast-episode/ali-smith-atman-smith-andres-gonzalez-513

Up next
Yesterday
The Science Of Manifestation: Can This Stanford Neuroscientist Convince A Skeptical Dan To Give It A Shot? | Dr. James R. Doty
Six practical steps to harness the full power of your mind. Our guest today is James R. Doty, a neurosurgeon who has just written a whole book about the science of manifestation – although, as you’ll hear him admit, there’s very little ‘magic’ involved in his process. James R. Do ... Show More
1h 16m
Jul 7
Ezra Klein On: Sane News Consumption; The Power of Meditation; The Future of the Species; And the Message of His Tattoo
On maintaining sanity in insane times. Ezra Klein is an opinion columnist and host of the award-winning Ezra Klein Show podcast at The New York Times. His latest book is Abundance, co-authored with Derek Thompson. He is also the author of Why We’re Polarized, an instant New York ... Show More
1h 15m
Jul 6
How Meditation Can Help You Handle Injured Feelings and Injured Muscles | Dawn Mauricio
Plus: How to build a meditation practice you keep coming back to. We’re in the midst of an exciting evolution of the overall 10% Happier project. In our quest to make this podcast more actionable – to help you operationalize all the game-changing ideas you encounter on this pod – ... Show More
24m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2023
Amanda Gilbert | Can Meditation Help You Live Longer? What The Research Shows on Meditation & Cellular Aging, Telomere Health KKP: 551
Today, I am blessed to have here with me Amanda Gilbert. One of Amanda's high school teachers led her in meditation. This particular homeschool in the middle of West Virginia focused on search and rescue and outdoor survival skills, but it was also a special high school that incl ... Show More
1h 11m
Jun 2024
Create a Life of Greatness, Day 1: "Groundwork For Greatness" meditation series
"Building a Foundation for Greatness" is a transformative meditation series designed to empower and inspire you to lay the groundwork for a life of purpose and fulfillment. You'll embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth, uncovering the inner strengths and values that wil ... Show More
13m 32s
Apr 2024
Let them see you cry, by Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani, activist and founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, prides herself on being in control. She’s always been the one to say “I got this.” But after years of struggling to achieve her lifelong goal of being a mother, the weight of powering through the pain gets to ... Show More
32m 55s
Jun 2024
Finding Greatness Within Rhythmic Breath, Day 3: "Building a Foundation for Greatness" meditation series
A powerful guided meditation that combines a foundational breathing technique with the nurturing of unwavering faith. Through rhythmic breathing exercises and affirmations of trust and belief, this meditation empowers you to lay the groundwork for greatness in your life. As you s ... Show More
11m 15s
Jun 2024
Forgiveness Affirmation to Free Yourself, Day 2: "Building a Foundation for Greatness" meditation series
Welcome to this meditation on forgiveness, a journey towards freeing your heart and mind. Embrace the affirmation with full focus as you open your heart. "Building a Foundation for Greatness" is a transformative meditation series designed to empower and inspire you to lay the gro ... Show More
10m 51s
May 2024
Root Chakra Grounding: The Samurai's Foundation, Day 5: "The Circle of 5 Rings" meditation series
Inspired by Miyamoto Musashi's "The Book of Five Rings," this meditation focuses on grounding and stabilizing your Root Chakra. Just as Musashi emphasized the importance of a solid foundation, this practice will help you connect with the Earth element, fostering a sense of stabil ... Show More
33m 31s
May 2024
Softening and Opening, a Meditation with Sean Fargo
What happens when someone tells you to relax? Often, the directive to relax or let go results in further tightening. When we attempt to relax on demand, we just can’t make it happen. Stress can then increase as we wrestle with what we may perceive as failure. Things change when w ... Show More
17m 5s
May 2024
Coping When You're Not Heard, Day 6: "The Art of Listening" meditation series
A soothing meditation designed to help you cultivate inner calm and resilience when you feel ignored or overlooked. Through guided breathing and mindfulness practices, you'll learn to reconnect with your inner voice, find self-validation, and embrace a sense of peace and self-wor ... Show More
12m 3s
Jun 2024
Guided Mindfulness Meditation | Master the Practice of Life 🧘 🙏
Master the practice of life with this guided mindfulness meditation that will help you nurture a sense of balance and equanimity. Mindfulness meditation is a powerful way to remain calm and collected through all of life's ups and downs. Be guided through a calming, stoic practice ... Show More
15m 48s
Jun 2024
Rising Above Toxicity, Day 6: "Navigating Negative People in Challenging Relationships" meditation series
This meditation is designed to help you confront and manage interactions with toxic and difficult individuals. Through guided visualization and affirmations, you will cultivate inner strength, resilience, and clarity. By facing these challenges directly and mindfully, you can mai ... Show More
13m 2s