Our Story

The Oldest Medicine, for the Newest Generation.

KALA Kids was born from a truth at the heart of Lineage Medicine™: healing knowledge has always been passed from generation to generation. For thousands of years, our elders taught children how to move, breathe, and find stillness. KALA Kids continues that tradition.

KALA Kids was founded as the youth branch of KALA Wellness, which was established in 2012 by world-renowned Eastern Medicine practitioner Nisha Devi. It translates the same evidence-based methodology trusted by the United Nations, hospitals, and organizations like the Girl Scouts and CalHOPE into experiences designed for young people.  

Children today face rising anxiety, growing disconnection, and the constant pull of screens that separate them from their own bodies. We offer a direct antidote to time online: Movement that regulates the nervous system, breathwork that calms overwhelming emotions, and contemplative practices that cultivate focus, patience, and self-belief.   

KALA Kids exists so children don't have to wait until adulthood to discover their own source of strength. What they learn now, they keep. Each child carries these tools for life and passes them down, generation to generation...healing the lineage from within.

Purpose

Science Agrees: Strong Roots Grow Brave Leaders.

Our purpose is to give every child the tools of Lineage Medicine™ — mindful movement, awareness of breath, and presence — woven into social and emotional learning strengthening the connection between their mental, physical, and social health.

We believe children deserve preventative medicine.

Loneliness, burnout, and anxiety take root early. By teaching kids to regulate and understand their own systems and feelings, we address these challenges before they take hold.

We believe in evidence-based methodologies.

Like everything at KALA, our youth programming is grounded in a research-driven approach, connecting ancient practice with the science of child development and social emotional learning.

We believe movement is learning.

Kids build emotional skills by sitting still and listening. They build them through their bodies — through balance, breath, rhythm, and play.

We believe in the power of Yin.

In a world that pushes children to constantly perform, we teach the value of balance. Through rest and consolidation, we renew the inner wellspring that fuels play, growth and focused action.

We believe kids can heal their lineage

When a child learns to ground, their roots can spread through family, friendships, and community into an incredible future.

Together, We Root.

SEL Curriculum

SEL That Kids Actually Feel.

Social and emotional learning, powered by Lineage Medicine™.

The KALA Kids SEL Curriculum unites the five core competencies of social and emotional learning with the ancient movement practices of Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and breath work - so children learn to regulate their emotion and expression through movement.

The five competencies we build:

Self-Awareness

Noticing feelings, thoughts, and sensations in the mind and body. Mindful movement practices teach kids to listen inward: "What's happening inside me right now?"

Social Awareness

Group movement cultivates empathy, observation, and respect for others. Kids learn to sense their own energy, the energy of others and honor differences.

Self-Regulation

Breathwork and grounding activities teach children about community, and the importance of play - lowering stress, calming big emotions, and returning to balance - anywhere, anytime.

Interpersonal Skills

Developing the understanding of flow, building skills of patience, moving from a place of kindness and connection

Critical Thinking

Growing discernment, building confidence in decision-making and moving with intentional action.

What makes our curriculum different:

Movement First.

Every lesson is built around medicinal movement, understanding the power of breath, posture, and intention. Movement is adapted for growing bodies and short attention spans.

Honoring Ancestry.

Children learn that these practices come from elders and traditions thousands of years old, building cultural respect and a sense of connection to something larger than themselves.

Prioritizing Yin.

Sessions teach the power of rest and stillness (Yin), so that active energy (Yang) can grow. Through this process, kids learn the power of balance.

Evidence-informed.

Aligned with established SEL frameworks and grounded in KALA's research-driven methodology.

*Traditional and Digital formats available.

Services

KALA Kids™: Where Strong Roots Begin.

Social and emotional learning, powered by Lineage Medicine™.

Grades TK-2: Build Foundations Through Joy.

This curriculum provides the grounding blocks for young children to build self-awareness and connection through breath awareness, mindful movement and play.

Includes: Play (Connection) · Breath Awareness · Mindful Movement (Qigong) · Self-Regulation Body Awareness (Focus) · Cooperation (Active Listening & Respect)

Grades 3-5: Big Feelings… Need Big Moves. We've Got You.

This curriculum grows children's awareness of self and others through breath awareness, mindful movement and play.

Includes: Play (Connection) · Breath Awareness · Mindful Movement (Qigong) · Emotional Regulation (Confidence) · Communication (Teamwork)

Grades 6-8: Strengthen Resilience From Within.

This curriculum shepherds students through critical stages of social, emotional, and physical change.

Includes: Breath Awareness · Mindful Movement (Yoga & Qigong) · Self-Regulation (Managing Stress) · Social Regulation (Healthy Relationships)

9-12: Lead the Way You Were Born To.

This curriculum equips young people with tools to navigate identity, relationships, and anxiety as they transition to adulthood.

Includes: Breath Awareness · Mindful Movement (Yoga & Qigong & Tai Chi) · Self-Regulation (Manage Anxiety, Build Resilience) · Finding Voice (Agency) · Interpersonal Skills (Leadership)· Embrace Community (Belonging)

Bring KALA Kids to Your Community

Connect

Little Bodies, Big Lineage.

Parents, Educators, Community leaders - we want to hear from you.

connect@kalakids.org

@LivingKalaKids

Program Inquiries

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