Mindful Breathing Time Mandatory At NYC Public Schools, Mayor Says

NEW YORK CITY, NY — At New York City public schools, mindfulness will soon be mandatory.

This was the message Tuesday from Mayor Eric Adams, who announced mindful breathing practices will be required at all schools, for all grades, every day.

"Mindful breathing can be done by anyone, anywhere, and anytime," said Adams. "Mindful breathing is another way we are teaching our young people healthy habits that will last a lifetime.”

The city has already begun a rollout of a citywide professional development program for K-12 educators in mindful breathing practices, city officials said at a press conference at P.S. 005 Dr. Ronald McNair in Bed-Stuy.

Prep for the new policy began in March when the Education department partnered with the Yoga & Mindfulness Teacher Preparation Program to train teachers and staff on mindful breathing.

Schools will be invited to take their own approaches, but all New York City public schools must have an approach.

"New York City's schools will soon be required to facilitate two to five minutes of mindful breathing practices in the classroom every day," Adams said. "Although we are building it in as a requirement, it is not forced on anyone."

The distinction was lost on one New York Times reporter, who alerted followers the requirement would fall on students. Press agent Fabian Levy explained the requirement was that schools provide the time, not that students use it.

The mayor explained the program targets a litany of stressors that include "toxic social media communities, constant news flashes, and unfiltered alerts."

If those annoyances seem similar to those faced daily by a New York City politician, the parallel wasn't lost on Adams either. In fact, he seemed to credit mindful breathing for his political success.

"I would sit down in the studio before we went on to debate and do my breathing exercises," Adams said, recounting his mayoral campaign.

"One of the candidates looked over at me and said, 'We never going to beat this guy.'"

Mindfulness also influenced hizzoner's time in Brooklyn Borough Hall, where he donned a "MIND" t-shirt and led mediations during the global pandemic.

The press conference closed with three kids mounting the stage to lead the room in a breathing exercise. For a few seconds, the officials on stage stood with their eyes closed as the boys lead them through six breaths.

Adams told journalists, "Find your happy place."