ROOM TO BREATHE

A FILM BY
Russell Long


55 Min.
DVD - CC
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HELP BRING MINDFULNESS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS -- IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR


Room to Breathe


"ROOM TO BREATHE has drawn national attention (to mindfulness)...perhaps the fastest-growing technique in classrooms for teaching self-control."
- Washington Post

 

Many schools across the country are facing an epidemic of students struggling with poor attention, low academic performance, lack of self-control, bullying and stress.

ROOM TO BREATHE explores one promising solution that has been tested in dozens of public and private schools - a self-awareness technique called mindfulness that increases kids’ focus and concentration, self-control and classroom performance.

The film presents a hopeful story of transformation, following a young mindfulness teacher, Megan Cowan, who spends several months attempting to teach the technique to troubled kids in a San Francisco public middle school that tops the district in disciplinary suspensions.

Cowan is confronted at first by defiance and contempt. But under her guidance, the students begin to learn the mindfulness technique and eventually use it to take greater control over their lives, decrease stress, and better focus in class and at home.

Based on the experiences depicted in the film, as well as results at other schools and independent academic studies, mindfulness appears to have broad potential to significantly improve kids’ social interactions with peers and adults, to reduce bullying and violence, and to improve academic performance and graduation rates.


DOWNLOADABLE SCREENING GUIDE & PUBLICITY MATERIALS AVAILABLE.




REVIEWS

Room to Breathe is an excellent resource for parents, educators, and community members interested in seeing all students cultivate a lifelong love of learning; also useful for introducing young adults to the benefits of training in self-awareness.”
- Educational Media Reviews Online

“An excellent discussion starter for educators and students interested in raising achievement levels.”
-Booklist Online (American Library Association)

“Room to Breathe tells the story of a special school community that has the courage to try something positive, enriching and innovative to support their students. The principles learned through the Mindfulness sessions - focus, respect, calmness, introspection - will be of great lifelong value to the students, and, to the teachers and parents who support them.”
-Mary Jane Burke, Superintendent of Schools, Marin County

“This film beautifully and authentically portrays the power of mindfulness to change individuals, families, one classroom, and perhaps, one day, the world.”
-Diana Winston, Director of Mindfulness Education, UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center

"A riveting story of at-risk kids learning to take more control of their lives and actions through the powerful practice of mindfulness. The scientific evidence is overwhelming that the ability to focus, to attend and regulate one's emotions has extraordinary positive benefit..."
- James R. Doty, M.D., Founder and Director, The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education, Stanford University

AWARDS & SCREENINGS

Winner
- Platinum Reel Award, Nevada Film Festival
- People’s Choice Award, Love Unlimited Film Festival
- Social Impact Award, Richmond International Film Festival
- Silver Lei Award, Honolulu Film Awards

Official Selection
- CineSol Film Festival
- Maverick Movie Awards
- Mill Valley Film Festival
- Nevada Film Festival
- Palm Beach International Film Festival
- Ruby Mountain Film Festival
- San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
- Utopia Film Festival