Introduction to MBA Curriculum
In creating a mindfulness and emotional awareness curriculum for incarcerated youth, MBA follows several researchers who have called for the adaptation of traditional mindfulness training programs to suit the needs of adolescent and at-risk populations. Thompson and Gilbert (2009) recommend specific clinical modifications for use of mindfulness for children and adolescents by incorporating elements that make it developmentally appropriate, meaningful, and relevant. These recommendations are also consistent with Jha (2005) and Ott’s (2002) recommendations to consider the unique developmental stage of adolescents. These recommendations include having greater explication of the techniques and rationale behind the techniques, being flexible in using different practices that are grounded in the concrete experiences of at-risk youth and adolescents, incorporating variety and repetition that generalizes from the classroom experiences to the real world, incorporating experiential group work, and encouraging candid discussions.
In the summer of 2008, MBA convened a curriculum conference with its top advisors, trainers, and senior instructors to distill 23 years of organizational wisdom into a new curriculum for youth. To develop the new curriculum we looked at the top 10 challenges expressed by youth in our classes over the years and the 6 criminogenic factors that cause offenders to recidivate. We cross referenced these against the 10 topics that our instructors felt were most vital to supporting youth, and built a set of content modules from the intersection of these three lists. These content modules are set within a universal class structure that is grounded in mindfulness meditation and emotional awareness, and makes use of the council style. The intervention is delivered by highly trained MBA instructors, who have been through an intensive and individualized facilitation training developed by MBA’s Training Department.
On a practical level, the MBA curriculum provides the most at-risk youth in the most difficult environments – probation detention facilities and youth detention camps – with concrete tools to reduce stress, impulsivity and violent behavior and increase self-esteem, self-regulation and overall well-being.
Above Photo – notable MBA Curriculum developers at the conference (from left to right):
GEORGE MUMFORD – a sports psychology consultant, meditation teacher, he served as a member of Head Coach Phil Jackson’s support staff for the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers , teaching both teams the practice of mindfulness meditation. George brought many of these same techniques, and his ‘play like a champion’ philosophy, to the MBA Curriculum.
FLEET MAUL – Founder of Prison Dharma Network and the Peacemaker Institute – Fleet is one the most renowned meditation teachers serving the incarcerated population today.
VINNY FERRARO – Senior teacher for Challenge Day and MBA Teacher Training Director.
