Education technology founder and former elementary school teacher, Peter Mills, will present key findings in the research literature on mindful breathing as a preventative mental health intervention. He will discuss the benefits and methods for implementing mindful breathing inside the K12 classroom. This talk will elevate the importance of various ways creativity and the learning sciences can be infused into mindfulness practices to create engaging and effective mental health solutions that match the needs of K12 students and teachers. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in a short experiential taste of the animated mindfulness curriculum, Recess Reset, to understand the importance of reflection, learning transfer, and extrinsic motivation inside the classroom. 

Peter Mills, MA is the Founder and Product Designer of Recess Reset, an animated curriculum which helps teachers facilitate daily mindfulness practices with their students during class transitions. Prior to Recess Reset, Peter was a professional dancer and choreographer, and has taught dance and theatre for San Francisco Unified School District, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, American Conservatory Theater, Opera NUOVA, and Visionary Centre for the Performing Arts. Peter holds a BFA from The Boston Conservatory and a MA in Education from Stanford University. Additionally, Peter completed Stanford’s Contemplation by Design Applied Contemplative Science academic program offered through the Stanford School of Medicine’s graduate studies in Community Health and Prevention Research. Peter has spent over a decade in personal meditation practice, and has spent extensive time in India and Europe, living and studying at Monte Sahaja Centre for Self-Realization, The Integral Yoga Institute NYC, Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville, Amritapuri, and the College of Integrated Philosophy. Peter currently studies with Jennifer Welwood in the SF Bay Area.

This is one of two session led by Peter Mills. The other session is a Guided practic eon Monday Oct 27 at 7:30am titled Mindful Breathing as a Preparation for Meditation. You are wellcome to attend one or both sessions.

This session is part of the FREE Contemplation by Design Summit, Oct. 15-27, 2025.

The full summit schedule is posted at: https://med.stanford.edu/contemplation/summit.html.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stanford-contemplation-by-design-summit-2025-online-oct-15-27-registration-1520413249959