Pulse October 2016 | Page 40

partnership with NGO Mente Viva and neuroscientists at the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul found that meditation improved cognitive skills such as memory and attention, improved attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms, and increased both the wellbeing of children and teachers in classrooms. and started to develop communication tools, such as its kid’s radio program (radiowebcrianca.com.br) that focused on health content for children. The program makes use of art (performances, lectures and dynamics) as well as a Live Calendar (daily practical experiences) with activities specially designed to help develop children’s emotional and cognitive abilities. What tools were used to help engage and encourage students and teachers What were the most challenging to get involved? parts of putting together your spa’s In July of 2015, the organization expanded its focus to children’s behavior giving back initiative? most useful—and which organizations are most deserving—can be challenging. Finding a trusted organization is the first step. Does the organization have a functioning board that is keeping an eye on things? Transparency and open access to the best practices, follow-up processes and, most importantly, documented reliable results are all important. Take the time to find out causes that you’re really passionate about and do some research before you make a decision. Determining where your efforts will be Mind in Motion Social Cause: Cancer Research and Awareness Partner Organization: Cancer Treatment Centers of America Learn More: cancercenter.com Which social cause does your the treatment and healing process. company passionately support? The primary goal of the UNBREAKABLE project is to get the STRENGTH blanket in the hands of cancer patients. We will accomplish this goal through collaborations with cancer organizations, as well as the donation of 10 percent of the profits of all products in the LEIGH WEINRAUB • Founder • Mind in Motion • San Francisco, California UNBREAKABLE collection to hospitals and lodging facilities housing cancer patients and their families. We are excited to announce our first collaboration with Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), a national network of five hospitals. CTCA understands the healing power of positive affirmation, and intends to incorporate the STRENGTH blanket to enhance patient’s mindset and experience during 38 PULSE ■ October 2016 How do you determine which cause or charity to support? Our goal is to work with organizations that directly impact the patients’ experience in treatment. We decided to focus on wrapping cancer patients in the STRENGTH blanket after hearing deeply touching stories about how the words of positivity brought comfort to families impacted by cancer. Several studies have shown that an optimistic attitude can do wonders for patients’ recovery. The words we see, the affirmations we think, and the attitudes we adopt change us on a cellular level. How do you inspire your team to volunteer in your giving back initiatives? Most of our staff members have been personally affected by cancer in one form or another, so the UNBREAKABLE project has generated a lot of momentum internally. We are all excited to “think globally, act locally,” by reaching out to the cancer community in San Francisco. Although the most challenging part of this project is getting the word out, we are confident that the spa industry will become the contagious voice for our powerful message of STRENGTH and UNBREAKABLE spirit. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 40)