Learning to Breathe

“Learning to Breathe offers a time-tested, research-based solution to assist young people in cultivating positive qualities, such as mindful awareness and compassion for oneself and others. [The book will] inspire young people to use these qualities in the service of the greater good in the twenty-first century. I hope we see this curriculum in all of our schools.”
-Robert W. Roeser, professor of psychology and human development in the department of psychology at Portland State University, Portland, OR

“Even when we have an inside familiarity with the practice of mindfulness it is challenging to make it accessible and meaningful to others. Broderick's book and program have done just this-translated the practice into a practical, accessible program for both teachers and students. The result is a curriculum that maps beautifully onto both the opportunity and the vulnerability that are inherent in the teenage years.”
-Rebecca Crane, director at the Center for Mindfulness Research and Practice, Bangor University, UK

“Learning to Breathe is truly a gem that fills a critical gap in social and emotional learning programs for adolescents. With a deep commitment to helping young people navigate the social and emotional challenges of this developmental period, Broderick has artfully crafted an outstanding mindfulness-based program supported by rigorous research. The program is unique among its peers. Rather than functioning as an `add-on' that places extra burdens on teachers, it has been successfully integrated into existing curricula and meets standards in the areas of science and health. This program is a proven method for promoting well-being and resilience among young people.”
-Patricia A. Jennings, MEd, PhD, research assistant professor in human development and family studies at the Prevention Research Center at Pennsylvania State University, PA

“Learning to Breathe is an excellent program for teachers or practitioners interested in teaching mindfulness to adolescents. The instructions and lesson plans are easy to follow as an instructor, and they allow for enough flexibility to make the program fit your needs. Our students readily engaged in the activities during class and kept up with a home practice as well. Most told us that they noticed differences in their lives and reported that the mindfulness practices they learned would be helpful in their classes at school to help relax them before tests or keep them alert, as well as being helpful for sports. We heard from several students that it was their favorite part of their summer and that they were very glad to have taken the course.”
-Kristen Lyons, PhD, assistant professor of developmental psychology at Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, CO

“Learning to Breathe is a superb guide for helping adolescents manage their emotional lives. Broderick draws from the finest knowledge in psychology and mindfulness education to craft this extraordinary book-it is sure to become a classic.”
-Richard C. Brown, founded Naropa University's Contemplative Education Department in 1990, and recently co-developed Garrison Institute's mindfulness-based Care for Teachers program

“This is experiential learning at its best. The teacher facilitates a journey of discovery from which both students and teachers alike come back hungry for more!”
-Bruce Glick, teacher who has worked with special needs children and youth in myriad settings

“Drawing on her expertise in developmental psychology and mindfulness, Broderick has crafted a comprehensive, beautifully designed, mindfulness-based curriculum for adolescents. Learning to Breathe details a multitude of simple yet powerful mindfulness practices for teens as well as clear, concise, step-by-step instructions for teachers and clinicians to implement this wonderfully rich curriculum. This book is a tremendous resource-a must for educators and clinicians who want to bring the transformative power of mindfulness to teens.”
-Diane Reibel, PhD, director of the Mindfulness Institute, Jefferson Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, and coauthor of Teaching Mindfulness

“Broderick's years of real-world experience with teenagers shine through on every page of her wonderful new book, Learning to Breathe. When it comes to teaching mindfulness, adolescents can be an especially challenging group and Broderick has developed wise, practical, and time-tested methods that help teens manage stress and develop attention as they integrate mindfulness into their daily lives.”
-Susan Kaiser Greenland, JD, author of The Mindful Child

“Know thyself. Building not only on the accumulated wisdom of the ages but also on the pioneering work of Jon Kabat-Zinn, Broderick has created an extremely well-pitched curriculum for helping teens through what may well be tumultuous years. Practicing mindfulness, a sustained state of nonjudgmental self-awareness, has well-documented salubrious effects. In this well-written and insightful book, Broderick explains clearly what mindfulness is, why it is important, and how to teach it to our youth.”
-Philip David Zelazo, PhD, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota

“I wish that I had had this resource when I was principal of my high school. I can't think of a more important gift than to teach students to work with their emotions at such an important period of transition in their lives.”
-Rona Wilensky, founding principal of New Vista High School, Boulder, CO

“Learning to Breathe is a gift to educators and therapists who are committed to supporting the resilience and well-being of the young people they serve. Well-researched, with lessons that are well designed and accessible, it enhances and contributes to the field of social and emotional learning.”
-Pamela Siegle, executive director at Courage and Renewal Northeast