Napa Valley Wellness Conference

● Participants will learn the background of Dynamic Mindfulness (DMind), a
research-validated movement-based mindfulness practice.
● Participants will have the option to join in an experiential practice of Dynamic
Mindfulness, which includes moving the body, breathing intentionally and centering the
mind.
● Participants will learn how DMind is a trauma-informed practice and how to share it with
others using trauma-informed delivery.
● Participants will learn strategies for how to integrate Dynamic Mindfulness into their
workplace, school and classroom settings.
● Participants will walk away with a new set of tools to reduce stress in their personal and
professional lives.

Too often, individuals and school site leaders are left to figure out well-being on their own. It does not have to be that way! This session reorients us from simply "preventing burnout" on our own to proactively, intentionally promoting well-being for all staff so that we can together create the teaching and learning environments we aspire to with our students. Our well-being strategies can be used individually, but we will work through them collaboratively. We will also interact with the first educator generated measure of workplace well-being (see https://www.educatorsthriving.org/6-factors for more information) and learn how educators across the country use this tool to improve well-being.

Participants will first explore ways to enhance student resilience by teaching concrete skills (12 Tool Practices) and learn how to create a safe, caring environment that supports students' resilience and health. Then, we will briefly examine each Tool practice before exploring how to integrate the tools beyond the classroom and into the school community. Next, we explore the benefits of expanding the use of the tools into the family setting using visual cues (posters), home connection letters, and back-to-school activities. Lastly, we examine the introduction of the Family Toolbox. This allows the school to be reinvented as a health and wellness hub.

This presentation will focus on strategically building and sustaining effective school-based wellness programs prioritizing mental health, racial equity, and youth empowerment. By bringing together best practices from school-based clinicians and administrators, we will explore innovative strategies that schools can use to address both the emotional and social needs of their students, especially in marginalized communities affected by trauma. Attendees will also learn how to actively engage youth voices and tackle the mental health stigma among students of color while leveraging new methods to expand services that address the social determinants of health. Presenting bold, innovative strategies will inspire schools to re-imagine how they support the mental well-being of all students, creating more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable communities.

• Participants will learn the background of Dynamic Mindfulness (DMind), a research-validated, trauma-informed, movement-based mindfulness practice. 
• Participants will have the option to join in an experiential practice of Dynamic Mindfulness, which includes moving the body, breathing intentionally and centering the mind. 
• Participants will learn how DMind  builds stress resilience and enhances emotion regulation in themselves and their students.  
• Participants will learn strategies for how to integrate Dynamic Mindfulness into their workplace, school and classroom settings.  
• Participants will walk away with a new set of tools to reduce stress in their personal and professional lives.  

Participants will:​
- Walk through the four steps to guide the implementation or improvement of staff relaxation zones at schools or across districts. (1)Set a goal, (2)make a plan, (3)take action, and (4)sustain and evaluate.​
- Learn best practices and see examples to inform their plans. ​
- Receive tips to support equitable access to established relaxation zones.​

​Core Concept: ​
Staff Relaxation Zone – a space like a staff lounge or break room that is boundaried and intentionally set up for all staff to relax, decompress and attend to their wellbeing.​