Each week, students from Savannah’s Pulaski and Myers middle schools unroll their yoga mats, find their balance and reach their hands toward the sky.
As they take deep breaths, they focus on building strong friendships, communicating effectively with their parents, teachers and classmates and other behaviors that support their well-being.
These students are among the many in the area who benefit from Loop It Up Savannah’s Mindfulness Zone, a four-layered program that provides a nurturing learning environment through mindfulness techniques, trauma-informed yoga, literature and expressive arts.
The program was originally designed for Pre-K through fifth grade students. However, after receiving a grant from VyStar Foundation in 2024, Loop It Up Savannah developed a comprehensive curriculum for middle and high school students that served 830 students.
This new layer of the program offers weekly meetings at Pulaski and Myers Middle Schools, co-facilitated by Loop It Up staff and classroom teachers using the new age-appropriate curriculum. Loop It Up also created new dedicated Mindfulness Zone spaces at Southwest Middle and Savannah High School. These areas feature cozy seating, various games, a selection of books and journaling supplies. The spaces are utilized by students, teachers and counselors.
“VyStar Foundation’s grant opened doors to meet the needs of middle and high school students,” said Christine Reilly, Director of Programs. “Without this funding, we wouldn't have been able to research, write and implement programming in these schools.”
The program’s expansion comes at an important time. In 2023, over 35% of Georgia teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, based on data from the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Becoming Mindful
Loop it Up Savannah was launched in 2008 as a children’s knitting and crochet class at the West Broad Street YMCA in Savannah. It now offers three major programs (Looping Literacy Together, The Mindfulness Zone and School Gardening STEAM), as well as providing after-school enrichment programming to 24 schools in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System. Loop It Up partners with public schools, community centers, museums and partner nonprofits, and reaches more than 10,000 students each year in the Savannah area.
Empowering Educators
The Mindfulness Zone program offers a School-Wide Curriculum layer co-facilitated by Loop It Up staff and classroom teachers, a Small Groups layer led by Loop It Up Mindfulness Zone staff for up to 50 chosen students, the new Middle and High School Mindfulness Zone layer co-facilitated by Loop It Up staff and classroom teachers, and the Mindful Monday layer designed to help classroom teachers foster mindful morning routines in their classrooms.
To support the Mindful Monday activities, Loop it Up developed activity cards that feature basic mindfulness practices, follow-up discussion topics and writing prompts along with steps to help students stay calm in stressful situations. The introduction of this layer made it possible for the program to be offered to thousands of additional students.
As the program grew to serve older students, Loop it Up Savannah introduced a new curriculum that includes a vital training component for classroom teachers, who co-facilitate sessions alongside the Mindfulness Zone’s staff. Training for teachers covers essential topics such as:
Relationship-building and self-awareness
Trauma-informed language and nonviolent communication
Mindfulness skills that teachers can model for students
By making these techniques part of the normal routine, the programs ensure that mindfulness becomes an ongoing practice, not just an occasional lesson. "The students look forward to their sessions with Loop It Up teachers - they do not want the instructors to leave,” said Ms. Jordan, eighth grade teacher at Pulaski Middle School. “I, as a teacher, see their excitement and smiles when they are told Loop It Up teachers are coming."
Empowering Youth and Enriching Lives
By equipping students with tools, knowledge and language, Loop It Up Savannah has seen remarkable improvements. Their mindfulness programming has led to a stronger sense of self among students, decreased PTSD symptoms and more.
“The kids love everything about the Mindfulness Zone program,” said Stephanie Glover, Counselor School of Humanities at Juliette Gordon Low Elementary. “It’s very hands–on, it’s one of the best ways to help them learn and grow.”
Looking Ahead
VyStar Foundation and Loop It Up Savannah have the same goal: to make a difference in the lives of children by providing learning environments that encourage creativity and positive development.
With the expansion of the Mindfulness Zone to middle and high school students, the area has a chance to fill an urgent need in the community.
Together, the organizations are building a brighter future where every student has the tools to navigate life’s challenges with confidence.