The Laredo Independent School District Guidance and Counseling Department is excited to announce the recent implementation of "Breathe for Change," a new yoga program aimed at enhancing social-emotional learning and promoting wellness for students and staff.
The initiative, led by certified District counselors who trained through the "Breathe for Change" program, introduces mindfulness practices across all grade levels, equipping students with the skills to manage stress and develop coping strategies.
The program recently began at LISD, with Nixon High School Senior Laisha Iranifrias attending one of many yoga classes that will be offered district-wide. “The yoga session was really relaxing and peaceful. You come out feeling confident after learning how to breathe and stay calm in tense moments. It helps you deal with difficult situations. My favorite position was Savasana,” she shared.
The 200-hour certification program, “Breathe for Change,” provided the opportunity for educators across the nation to collaborate, sharing their experiences on implementing social-emotional learning strategies in classrooms. The program consisted of a 12-week training, mostly conducted virtually through Zoom, where participants met weekly. The training included practicing yoga sequences, learning implementation strategies for students, and leading sessions in front of their cohort to receive constructive feedback.
The five certified District administrators participating in the program are Monica Jackson, Counselor at Nixon High School; Cindy Lopez, LISD Substance Abuse Coordinator; Teresa Gonzalez, Counselor at Lara Academy; Lidia Oviedo, Counselor at Daiches Elementary School; and Anna Gomez, Counselor at J.C. Martin Elementary School.
Director of Guidance and Counseling/At-Risk Population Cindy Dominguez stated, “The Breathe for Change initiative is a transformative approach to fostering mental wellness among our students and staff. By incorporating mindfulness and yoga into our school environment, we are empowering our counselors to guide our students in managing stress and developing resilience, creating a culture of wellness that benefits the entire school community.”
Daiches Elementary School Counselor Lidia Oviedo also highlighted how beneficial the program was, not only for the students but also for the educators. "The goal is to use this with students and staff—whether during Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings, staff development, or even small brain breaks. The kids love it. I've done it with students from kindergarten through fifth grade, and they enjoy coming to my office to focus and be mindful."
She described how the program allowed her to create a small, calming space for students at her campus. "Even at the elementary level, kids feel stress due to the demands of education. This program gives them moments to let go of stress and learn mindfulness techniques. I've found that it benefits the teachers too, as they face the day-to-day demands of the job."
The counselors involved in the program can also practice an alternate type of yoga; Chair Yoga, a simple, accessible form that can be done without needing to get on the floor. Oviedo has initiated sessions for her kindergarten students in the gym, adapting the movements to be fun and engaging with the help of the coaches. "Even though they were laughing during some of the movements, the kids felt relaxed afterward. They enjoyed doing something different from their usual classroom and physical education activities," she added.
With the "Breathe for Change" certification, the five counselors are now registered yoga instructors, allowing them to teach not only within the district but also in the wider community. The ultimate goal is to have a certified yoga instructor on every LISD campus, ensuring that all students can benefit from the program. In the meantime, all District counselors have been trained through the Social Emotional Learning component. Additionally, certified counselors are teaching non-certified counselors basic activities they can use with students to promote mindfulness and stress relief. For now, with just five certified counselors, the district is taking its first steps toward a future where yoga and mindfulness are integral parts of education, supporting students' and educators' well-being.
