The Light Academy, Cleveland

Kids' sponge-like brains can't help but absorb their surroundings, which unfortunately may be becoming increasingly stressful. "Never before in human history have we been flooded with [so much] information and technology," founder Kelli Slavin says. "Parents don’t know how to deal with it. Kids don't know how to deal with it." But she helps combat overburdened minds with The Light Academy's combination of Kundalini yoga and art classes for kids. Kundalini yoga focuses on breathing as the gateway to inner peace and health. It "stimulates the glandular system [and helps] engage the brain … and promote general wellness." She leads kids through Kundalini exercises, helping them to soothe their minds and teaching them to cope with anxiety and stress, ultimately pushing them to connect to their inner "greatness."

With that inner greatness, kids can interpret the world through art. "Giving kids a creative outlet is very important," Slavin says. "They're downloading whatever is in their head and making something beautiful." Classes delve into exciting projects, such as creating original comic books and making kites, or arming homemade piñatas with popsicle-stick swords or giant, weeping doe eyes.:m]]