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Frequently Asked Questions
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For common questions regarding Shanthi Project, check out our Frequently Asked Questions below.
What curriculum is used in your programs?
What is mindfulness not?
Mindfulness is not:
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The same thing as meditation. Though meditation can be one way to practice mindfulness, there are lots of other forms that mindfulness can take that do not include meditating.
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Yoga. Like meditation, the two have some overlap, but they are not the same thing.
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Associated with religion. Mindfulness is a universal concept and does not belong to any one tradition or religion. Throughout the years, there has been a wide array of perspectives, practices, and ways of describing mindfulness. In recent decades, it has become increasingly secular and scientific, as illustrated by the abundance of peer-reviewed studies suggesting its benefits. However, it must be acknowledged that the Buddhist tradition has made highly significant contributions to the modern study, practice, and teaching of mindfulness.
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An escape from emotions. Practicing mindfulness means feeling and acknowledging all emotions that come up, whether positive or negative. The key to mindfulness isn’t total happiness; it’s non-judgment. This means recognizing that negative emotions aren’t necessarily bad, they’re just a part of life. Mindfulness teaches us that exploring all of one’s emotions is healthier than suppressing or ignoring them.
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A panacea or cure-all to life’s problems. Mindfulness might have decades of evidence behind its efficacy, but it is only one part of a larger conversation about mental wellness, access to quality healthcare, and advocating for peace and safety for all.
What is mindfulness?
"Mindfulness is the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally." -Jon Kabat-Zinn
Scientific studies show us that mindfulness decreases stress and anxiety, improves attention and brain functioning, improves mood and emotional regulation, and increases overall health and body awareness.
Mindfulness is now a common tool used in the positive psychology offered by nearly all of our public education, health, and human services organizations.
What curriculum is used in your programs?
Shanthi Project’s initial curriculum was modeled after Mindful Schools and MindUp – two well-known, evidence-based in-class mindfulness programs. Over the years, our science-backed lessons have evolved into our very own curriculum: Calm+Kind+Focused Classrooms. Sessions include foundational mindfulness skills, practice and breathing techniques, mindful games, and movement. Since the inception of our program, we have collected data and run research studies that, alongside years of positive feedback from students and teachers, unequivocally demonstrate the efficacy of our curriculum.
What training and certifications do Shanthi Project instructors hold?
All of our instructors have gone through a lengthy training process to strengthen their own mindfulness practices and prepare them for teaching our unique curriculum. In addition, all Shanthi Project staff receive an annual trauma-informed training, ongoing supervision, and biannual classroom-focused trainings.
How do I get Shanthi Project in my school?
The first step in partnering with Shanthi Project is to make sure that your principal, school counselors, and teachers are as committed to bringing mindfulness to your school as you are. Once the commitment is there, please reach out to us at info@shanthiproject.org.
If my child participates in a "trauma-informed" program, does that mean that they are being treated for trauma?
Trauma-informed simply means that our instructors have an awareness of different types of trauma and its impact on individuals and communities. Our instructors are trained to facilitate mindfulness sessions in a safe and supportive manner, assuming that at least some of the participants have experienced trauma in some way. Our trauma-informed mindfulness sessions are in no way considered “treatment.”
Does Shanthi Project teach adults too?
Yes! Shanthi @Work, our workplace wellness initiative, is our primary programming for adults. S@W teaches evidence-based mindfulness strategies for mitigating stress, improving workplace collaboration, mitigating burnout, and cultivating overall wellness. We serve corporate and nonprofit workplaces, schools and educators, and everything in-between! The program is customized to each client so we can specifically serve you and your team.
We also lead adult programming at our Easton location, 131 N. 3rd Street. Our offerings are often changing, so be sure to check our calendar of events and programming to see what suits you best. If you are interested in learning more about trauma-informed mindfulness in ways we have not highlighted, please email us at info@shanthiproject.org.
What does "Shanthi" mean?
Shanthi is a Sanskrit word that means peace. Others have also identified the word to mean a profound sense of calm, rest, tranquility, or bliss. In 2010, our founder Denise named the organization Shanthi Project following her first yoga classes with incarcerated youth at the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center. As she tells us, “The first unit of boys that I taught at Juvenile Treatment were curious about Sanskrit and liked shanthi, the Sanskrit word for peace. We offered each other shanthi at the end of classes. Thus, Shanthi Project was born.”