"Studies show meditation helps synchronize the right and left hemispheres of the brain enabling children to effectively communicate, resulting in mental clarity and a better ability to focus," says DeHoyos. "Regular meditation may help kids focus in school and increase test scores." This work is a less invasive alternative for children diagnosed with ADHD.

 

DeHoyos explains that meditation might also be useful to heal emotional trauma in children, such as distress resulting from death, divorce, illness, or big life change. "Trauma is connected to images and memory, a right brain function," says DeHoyos. "Hearing and speaking are, for most people, a left brain function. It is therefore more effective to heal from trauma using the right brain function: imagery, body sensations, feelings and color, than left." Beginning in January, Mindful Energy Work Studio will offer a three week course for kids ages 9 - 12 called "Meditation for the Imagination Class for Kids and Parents." The 1-hour long class includes a game, an art project and a guided meditation.

"Children and parents are led through a story that they help to create through their own imagination," says DeHoyos. "These meditations incorporate all the senses so the experiences are powered by what the children hear, feel, smell and, in some cases, even taste." This experience is powerful for two reasons, she says: