Small bodies move through downward-facing dogs and deep-breathing exercises on a circle of colorful mats. The children pause occasionally to sing, discuss their feelings, or even giggle. This is Intentional Minds, a local organization offering yoga, mindfulness, and other wellness classes for metro Atlanta children and families.
Founded by 200-hour registered yoga instructor and certified elementary school teacher Ashley Cocchi, Intentional Minds will open its first permanent location inside Small Craft Kids Club in Scottdale on Aug. 1. The new space will feature classes like story time- and music-based movement classes for pre-schoolers, along with yoga for families.
Cultivating mindfulness for kids
“Children have a lot of feelings, and these yoga and mindfulness programs help kids understand the connection between their body and mind, as well as give them access to self-regulation tools,” Cocchi said of the mission behind Intentional Minds.
In addition to 15 years of classroom experience, and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, Cocchi is a certified children’s yoga instructor. She launched Intentional Minds in 2022 to bring the same yoga and mindfulness practices that helped her students in the classroom to local children and families.
While her children’s classes include some of the same yoga poses and breathing exercises as the adult-centric counterparts, movement and other exercises also incorporate playful, kid-friendly activities like songs and games.
“We still practice postures, breath work, meditation, and ultimately savasana; just in a way that relates to kids,” Cocchi said.
She believes practicing yoga postures, breath work, and meditation in a kid-friendly setting gives children tools and techniques they can then apply to other settings.
Recently, one of Cocchi’s second-grade students shared that before learning how to meditate in one of her school-based classes, he frequently got into trouble at home and at school because he was acting impulsively.
“He said if he stopped to take a few breaths, he could make better decisions, and he thanked me for teaching him the meditation,” Cocchi said. After that first meditation session, the student became a regular at her in-school yoga classes.
Children’s yoga, family classes
Many of Intentional Minds’ sessions are designed for both children and caregivers. These integrated family sessions give parents the opportunity to learn techniques that they can practice and reinforce at home with their children.
“I’ve had parents of toddlers tell me that when they get into an argument with their siblings, they’ve observed them go meditate in a quiet space to calm down,” Cocchi said.
Cocchi plans to hold an open house for Intentional Minds on Aug. 1 at Small Craft Kids Club. The event will offer self-led art making stations, story time, family yoga sessions, and a music and movement class for families. Children will also receive free school and art supply goody bags, while supplies last, and people can enter a raffle for items provided by local vendors like Perc Coffee and Elmyriachi Mexican restaurant.
Admission is free, but RSVP in advance to secure a spot.
