Welcome to the Foundation workshop for Learning to BREATHE. During this course, some basic principles of mindfulness, some research supporting its usefulness, and an overall description of the Learning to BREATHE program will be covered.

Learning to BREATHE was developed for adolescents who are at that time in their lives when rapid physical and psychological changes present both opportunities and risks. However, this program is now being used with emerging and older adults as well.

I believe mindfulness is a practice for teachers and facilitators, as well for their students. So, I encourage you to begin this workshop with this in mind and try as best you can to practice mindfulness as we move through the segments of the workshop.

Certainly, learning how to manage the ups and downs of life is an important developmental goal for adolescents because poor emotion regulation skill is a core feature of many learning and mental health challenges. But we adults also have stressors in our lives that can make us feel “out of control” and we, as well as young people, often don’t know what to do with these strong feelings. Mindfulness offers us some tools to free our minds and help us be more present to the richness of our lived experience.

This course is the first of two general L2B workshops, so it should be considered a basic introduction. The second workshop is intended to provide teachers with hands-on practice in delivering the curriculum to others. More information about the training sequence can be found on the Learning to Breathe website.

Whatever your intentions may be for taking this workshop, thank you.

Before we begin, take a moment to recognize the goodness of the intention that led you to learn about and practice mindfulness. … And recognize, as well, the value of your own mindfulness practice to all those youth and adults who will, no doubt, benefit greatly from your presence.

What is the L2B teacher training sequence?

Basic teacher preparation involves a 3-day training sequence described below. More
advanced training is required for certification. Those who teach mindfulness should also
have completed a mindfulness course, like MBSR, to establish and support their own
mindfulness practice.

1. The Online L2B Foundation Course is Step 1 of the basic L2B training sequence.
   It offers a broad overview of the theory and research behind L2B. This Foundation
   Course may also be accessible as an in-person workshop in certain locations. Once you
   have completed this course, you will receive a Verification of Completion which
   allows you to progress to STEP 2, You must complete the Foundation workshop and
   receive the verification before registering for further training.
2. L2B Intensive Workshop: Step 2
   The Intensive is a 2-day workshop designed to prepare participants to teach the
   program, so it relies more on practice than on presentation of theoretical and research
   background information. Intensive workshops are available in-person in certain
   locations and live online.
3. Is there a way to become certified in L2B?
   L2B certification exists at the Master Trainer level and is available for those who want to
   teach others to deliver this program . The process involves an application, prerequisites
   such as MBSR, L2B workshop participation, L2B instruction for at least five group,
   individual coaching and supervision, as well as other requirements. More information is
   available by contacting the program developer at broderickl2b@gmail.com