Check out this recent piece on KIPP Infinity Middle School in Harlem.  We love learning more about the focus on character development in groundbreaking schools like KIPP Infinity. We believe yoga and mindfulness help build internal strength and character also. How would you like to see character development taught in our schools?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/magazine/what-if-the-secret-to-success-is-failure.html?pagewanted=all

We're thrilled with the news that our fearless founder Katherine Priore has been nominated for 7x7 Magazine's "Hot 20."  This annual feature recognizes movers and shakers in the Bay Area. Katherine was selected as a finalist from hundreds of nominations, so we're already proud! Voting starts now and first-round voting closes on July 6.  Please show your support for Headstand and Katherine, and vote here!

Last Saturday, we had the honor of practicing yoga and meditation in the middle of San Francisco's Union Square with some of our Headstand students. The event was sponsored by the generous folks at Sokenbicha Tea, and led by the amazing Mallika Chopra and Stephanie Snyder. Our students meditated on stage for 10 minutes straight! Needless to say, we were impressed with their ability to take such a long moment of stillness in the middle of our vibrant city.

Have you ever needed a quiet breather in the middle of a busy environment? What did you do? Share your tips with us! 

Photo Credit: Wendy K. Yalom

From India, to yoga studios, to the White House!  Last weekend, more than 10,000 kids and families gathered on the White House lawn to take yoga classes led by local teachers.  Take a look at this short video of the event:

Looks like a fun event!  We're so glad that yoga is bringing kids and families together.  It's an activity that can be shared by people of all ages and backgrounds.  Have you done yoga with your family?

Last week, I asked our Headstand 8th graders what their favorite yoga poses are.  The overwhelming winner?  Rest pose at the end of class.  

What an honest answer - don't we all love when the lights dim and we can just lay on our backs, dissolving any worries?  Students live in a busy, often stressful world that increasingly moves at the pace of digital technology.  The best gift we can give them sometimes is the chance to slow down and de-stress.

Other favorite poses named by our 8th-graders:  

Warrior II
Camel 
Wheel
Crow 
Crow to handstand(!)  (Our kids are talented)
Downdog (shout-out to a classic)  

What is your favorite yoga pose?  If you have kids, what is your child's favorite yoga pose?  

On Friday, March 25, Headstand held an art fundraiser to support its wellness programming for youth.  The event drew supporters from the Bay Area education, yoga, and art communities.  

Artists created original art pieces LIVE during the event.  All pieces were for sale for $40 each.  

Headstand Executive Director Katherine Priore (right) with Board Member Jessica Silverman (left). 

The artists said they enjoyed working in a public setting and supporting a good cause.  Artists included Luke Butler, Elisheva Biernoff, George Pfau, Elizabeth Currie
Julia Goodman, Welly Fletcher, James Sterling Pitt, and Meg Mack.  

We were so happy to have special guest Kendall Karpe, a Headstand student at KIPP Summit Academy, making artwork at the event!  

Thanks everyone for a great event.  

We are excited to announce that starting today, yoga apparel company Zobha is donating $1 to Headstand youth programming for every new "Like" on the  Zobha page on Facebook, from now until March 31, 2011 (11:59pm EST).  This is a powerful way to help at-risk youth, all by a simply click!   

You can help us two simple ways: 
(1) "Like" the Zobha page on Facebook
(2) Spread the word by sharing this campaign on your Facebook page or blog, with a link to the Zobha page.  

That's all it takes!  We are so grateful for Zobha's generosity and would love for you to be involved.  

Come with us into the Headstand classroom at KIPP Summit Academy in San Lorenzo!  Ms. Priore is teaching a class to 5th grade students.   

On January 16, 2011, Headstand was honored in front of hundreds of yoga practitioners at the San Francisco Yoga Journal Conference!  Two KIPP Summit Academy Headstand students shared their experiences in their Headstand yoga class with conference attendees at the Zobha community class.  

Listen as Rhianna and and Tracy share what yoga means to them.