This episode features a conversation with teacher, entrepreneur, author, and all-around health advocate, Rupa Mehta, to talk about the importance of social-emotional learning, but with a bit of a twist. Rupa is the founder of the Nalini Method and NaliniKIDS, unique and revolutionary workout regimens which combine physical and emotional exercises for optimal health. As a fitness instructor, Rupa saw firsthand that encouraging her clients to work through their emotions while working out resulted in strengthening their bodies and minds, and knew that kids could benefit from this approach as much as adults. And now, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Rupa has also created a free social-emotional curriculum for kids called Subject of Self, which aims to help students understand the who, what, and why of themselves, the same way they would try to understand any subject. The idea being that social-emotional awareness comes first from an awareness of your own self.
In our conversation, we talk more about the Subject of Self, about the importance of mind-body connection, and about how developing a solid self-knowledge is vital in order for kids to learn to regulate their emotions, understand and deal with stress, and become better-equipped to navigate everything they face in life—whether it be a math exam, a great opportunity, or perhaps even a global pandemic.
About Rupa: Rupa Mehta is a teacher, entrepreneur, and author who has helped thousands of adults and youth become healthier individuals. She is the founder of Nalini Method and NaliniKIDS, both based on Rupa’s wellness philosophy that true health is achieved by being both emotionally and physically connected. Widely respected as a thought leader in social-emotional learning, Mehta has appeared in many national publications such as The New York Times, Vogue, and New York Magazine, and has been interviewed on NPR, Live with Kelly, and more! Rupa has published over 40 books about emotional and physical wellness.
THINGS YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
- How Rupa’s fitness work led to social-emotional work
- Rupa’s definition of social-emotional learning and what it means to study one’s self
- How kids learn social emotional learning and self-reflection through physical and emotional “workouts”
- Examples of Rupa’s emotional and physical wellness workouts
- What the Subject of Self curriculum is all about and why it’s so important
- How parents help their kids develop a better mind-body connection
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
- NaliniKIDS (Rupa’s website)
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