Bent on Learning empowers youth with transformative life skills.
Through yoga, we teach kids that they have everything they need—their body, mind, and breath—to cultivate physical, mental and emotional well-being.
OUR HISTORY
Bent on Learning was founded in 2001 when three yoga teachers met by chance with a shared passion of bringing yoga to youth.
They began as a small, volunteer effort with classes in a handful of New York City public schools. In response to the events of September 11th, they quickly expanded their program in order to support more children and help them heal.
Since then, Bent On Learning has grown into a nationally recognized nonprofit that has served 76 schools and more than 22,000 students across New York City. We make yoga and mindfulness a core component of the school day for kids spanning from Pre-K through 12th grade. Our classes provide kids of all backgrounds and abilities with opportunities to connect to their inner lives, build self-esteem, develop a growth mindset, and create positive relationships with peers, adults, and themselves.
With the current pandemic, the need for an education that incorporates physical health, mindfulness and emotional well-being is more important than ever. Students across the country report anxiety and depression as a leading cause of issues at school, and studies have shown that yoga can alleviate this by teaching students to be calm, compassionate, strong, and resilient.
We are committed to ensuring that yoga and mindfulness are accessible to all children and families of New York City and beyond.
“When I was in middle school, those Bent on Learning classes were my first consistent opportunity to simply show up as I was. The only expectation that I needed to live up to was to breathe...I am deeply grateful for my own path that began and continues with BOL!”
shira engel,
former student
humanities teacher, brooklyn green school
