Business & Tech

Kids' Meditation Classes Aim to Reduce Anxiety and More

Kids' meditation classes at Balance Yoga Studio in downtown Wakefield start Monday, September 16.

A Wakefield woman has been helping children with behavioral problems, anxiety, sleep difficulties and more with meditation classes.

In a recent conversation with Wakefield Patch, Lisa Mastrocola, a local teacher with a Master’s Degree in special education, discussed the classes, which she began about six years ago. The classes were initially for grades K-3, but Mastrocola reported that she is adding a class for grades 4-8 as well.

The Magical Journey Kids’ Meditation Classes are taught at Balance Yoga Studio, 364 Main Street in downtown Wakefield. The hour-long classes including music, breathing, and exercise, with a guided meditation session and a craft afterward – or an art activity, such as painting or journaling.

“(Kids) have adult schedules,” said Mastrocola. “They literally skip into this class because for one hour, they can be kids.”

Mastrocola noted that back to school time can be particularly difficult for young children, and that this time can bring out more periods of acting out, trouble sleeping, and general behavioral issues. Some first graders can also be prone to anxiety over new tasks such as creative writing, she added, pointing out that meditation can also be of great help to reduce anxiety right before taking a standardized test. It can also be a useful tool at home for parents dealing with temper tantrums.

Meditating for about 20 minutes a day can help improve brain wave function, said Mastrocola, adding that it is becoming an increasingly common method for people to reduce anxiety, depression and stress.

The six-week classes at Balance Yoga will start on Monday, September 16 or Tuesday, September 17, depending on the day of the week chosen by the parents. To learn more or to sign up, email Lisa at lmastrocola@yahoo.com.


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