A Mindful Approach to Raise Test Score and Lower Stress

Drop the Stress

THE PLACE

IN THE HEART OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

The Art of Living Retreat Center

A place immersed in nature, surrounded by mountains and dedicated to the best personal development.

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Give us a Call: 800.392.6870

Managing Stress in a Positive Way

Our ability to handle stress can play a big role in our success in many different areas of our life, including relationships, health, mental health, learning, test performance, and many more. Preparing for college admissions can be an especially stressful process for teens and parents alike. Telling ourselves to “relax” or “calm down” usually is not that effective or long lasting.

In this program, students learn more tangible and effective tools for releasing stress and overcoming negative emotions on a daily basis, by using a powerful breath-based meditation, while at the same time taking part in a rigorous SAT or ACT test prep program.  The meditation and stress management components of our program come from the YES! Program (Youth Empowerment Seminar), which has been delivered to over 70,000 students in the U.S.

 Empowerment

EXPERT INSTRUCTION

Ian Luther

Brinnae Bent

Narcios Cruz

Mindspire Tutoring & Test Prep

YES! for Schools

Ian was born and raised in Raleigh, attending high school at Cardinal Gibbons where he was awarded the National Merit Scholarship for his PSAT and SAT scores. After graduating with a BA in Journalism from Elon University in 2014, Ian made the unfortunate decision to move cross-country to Los Angeles in January of 2015. While he had done some subject tutoring while in college and worked as a student mentor with the YMCA Mentor program, it was during this time that he first got involved with SAT and ACT prep for students in the LA area. However this couldn’t last long, as Ian beat a hasty retreat off the West Coast in December 2015, and back to his hometown of Raleigh. Since his return, Ian has been doing SAT and ACT test prep with Mindspire for almost two years, as well as ISEE, SSAT, and other middle school test prep.

MD, Internal Medicine

Dr. Hiru Khianey

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To speak with someone about the program call us at 800.392.6870 or
email
[email protected]

Improve Test Performance

Reach Your Full Potential

Study in an ideal environment for learning, without the distractions of school assignments & extracurriculars while immersed in practices that promote focus & calmness.

Experience peace of mind through a combination of yoga & a powerful meditation routine that you can practice on daily basis, even after the program ends.

Be empowered to manage your emotions and stress in a positive way.  When you're in control of your own mind, nothing can hold you back!

DON'T LET STRESS & ANXIETY HOLD YOU BACK ANYMORE

A PERSONAL PRACTICE THAT ANYONE CAN LEARN

When Students can manage their own stress they are empowered to perform to the best of their ability on college admissions tests and to reach their full potential in all other aspects of life. Benefits include:

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FAQs

Testimonials

WITH SMALL CLASSES & INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION

SAT/ACT Prep in a Focused, Calm Environment

July 21st - 28th

Improve Test Performance, Without the Stress

Increased focus and productivity

Improved learning ability

Sharper memory

Confidence to make better choices and overcome challenges

Increased social connection

Freedom from destructive behavior cycles

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

2017 Dates:

July 21st - 28th

lives touched in over 35 years of service

graduates who have attended our programs

where our programs are changing lives

worldwide with weekly follow-up sessions 

PROGRAM EXPERIENCE

Housing

At the Center, students are housed three to a room  on a single-gender hallway, each with private bath and WiFi access. Lodging is within easy walking distance of dining and classrooms. Staff will also live in residence and are available to help with any issue 24/7.

Dining

Students' meals are designed for you to feel lighter and satisfied. Drawing from many cultural influences, local producers and delicious ingredients, you'd never know that healthy food could end up being so tasty.

Effective, Science-backed Meditation

Excursions

Support at Home

Students will have the opportunity to connect with a community of healthy, positive people supporting them to live their best life & deepen their knowledge of breathing practices and relaxation techniques from the course. Drop-in opportunities are available in over 3,000 centers in over 150 countries.

With stunning views and a mountaintop campus of 386 acres, there is more than enough nature to enjoy. Students will have the opportunity to go hiking trails, explore creative arts in the Clay Studio, play games & sports on property, and venture to nearby destinations for canoeing, kayaking, and more.

COMITTED TO YOUR SUCCESS

The Centerpiece of the mindfulness aspect of this program is a breath-based meditation technique only taught by the Art of Living, called the Sudarshan Kriay, or SKY. SKY works in a unique way. It utilizes the innate ability of the breath to trigger an automatic quieting of the mind, leading to a deep experience of meditation - whether you've never practiced meditation or have done it for years.

It is easy to practice, and is effective even when the mind is restless or caught up in emotions. With SKY, many of the wide ranging benefits are seen immediately.

Narciso was born in the Dominican Republic and studied Political Science at the City College of New York. He has more than twenty-five years of professional experience in youth development, and seven years of experience as a YES! teacher. He is currently the Director of the Youth Programs for IAHV in York City, and oversees all YES! programs in New York and New Jersey. In addition to teaching YES! in schools and in the community, Narciso teaches YES! programs at youth correctional facilities nation wide.

July 16th - 22nd

July 8 - 14

July 8 - 14

After the program ends, students will be able to continue practice their new SAT/ACT skills under the guidance of SAT/ACT Experts.  Online tutorials for answering questions and reviewing strategies help retain what was gained in the program.

Continued SAT/ACT Prep

Accelerated Learning

Being immersed in activities that promote relaxation & focus allow students to learn more in less time, not to mention being removed from the normal distractions of the school year.

July 16th - 22nd

Harry Monga

YES! for Schools

COMPREHENSIVE SAT/ACT PREPARATION

Students can participate in an intensive 1-week SAT or ACT prep program paired with the Art of Living programming designed to create an atmosphere of calm & focus.  We have collaborated with a proven test prep agency to provide expert instruction over the course of the program.  Students may opt for SAT prep July 21-28 or ACT prep July 21-28. Test prep programming includes the following:

• Strategies to become a faster test taker
• Approaches for all different types of questions
• Discounted 1-0n-1 tutoring from Mindspire Tutoring & Test Prep
• Two onsite SAT or ACT diagnostics & take-home tests for extra practice
• One 90-minute group follow-up sessions for continued guidance leading up to the test. 
• One year free access to an online self-paced test prep platform from Mindspire Tutoring & Test Prep
• Daily open office hours where students can get extra time to review and go over questions (10 hours total)

PERFORM TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

Our unique program combines a rigorous SAT/ACT prep curriculum designed & delivered from professional educators with skills for improving concentration & reducing test-anxiety through yoga, mindfulness & meditation.

Students are immersed in an environment which supports their growth and sets them up for success in preparing for college. SAT/ACT prep is a breeze when students learn healthy ways to manage stress & negative emotions.

A UNIQUE APPROACH TO SAT/ACT PREP

Program Includes:

Program Tuition:   $1,750   ($1,995 after July 7th)

*Limited class size. Reserve your space today.*

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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

"The YES program was really fun for me because my high school is really academically stressful. It was really nice to have some time to relieve stress. I learned a lot of new techniques to help me focus, and get rid of nervousness and stress."

- Yes Program Participant

ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

"YES gives me the opportunity to relieve stress and calm down before I get to my day so I’m more focused on my work and I can get things done more easily"

- Yes Program Participant

Hi, Ken. I excited to let you know I got 35 on my Act as my composite score. 35 in English, 36 in Math, 31 in Reading, and 36 in Science. I just what to thank you in all the help you gave me. It is clear that you helped me so much in my English and Reading scores. Overall the tutoring experience has been really enjoyable and showed me that hard work does really payoff.

- Student, Mindspire Test Prep

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

Students have the opportunity to prep for the SAT or ACT while immersed in an atmosphere of quiet and calm focus, ideal for absorbing and practicing new test taking strategies and increasing confidence. Free from the plethora of distractions available today, students gain more in less time.

The Ideal Learning Environment

Daily Schedule

9:15 pm          Free time / Activities

*Limited class size. Reserve your space today.*

FAQs

Youth Programs

I just wanted to let you know Katherine had a 7 point improvement on the ACT.  Not only that, but she made a 35 on Reading and a 36 on Science!  Thanks to Chrissy for all her help.

- Parent, Mindspire Test Prep

Mindspire Tutoring & Test Prep

*Limited class size. Reserve your space today.*

Boost Your SAT/ACT Score

SAT Prep: July 16th - 22nd

ACT Prep: July 23rd - 29th

View Full Schedule

July 21, 3pm

July 28, 3pm

July 21, 3pm

July 28, 3pm

Harry graduated with a B.S. in Construction Engineering Technology from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Since childhood, he has had a passion for giving back to society. Having volunteered with several service-based, non-profit organizations, Harry could have imagined that his passion for giving back would manifest as the Youth Empowerment Seminar (YES!). Harry has since assisted and/or facilitated the YES! Program to over 10,000 students nationwide. Inspired by the overall vision of YES!, creating a stress-free environment for both students and educators, Harry is driven to continually look for new ways to convey this profound wisdom. He enjoys playing competitive sports, reading and self-development.  Currently Harry teaches the YES! program full-time at East Side High School in New Jersey & in communities nationwide.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

Full Report of YES! Impact & Research

Brinnae is currently a PhD student in Biomedical Engineering (Neural Engineering) at Duke University. She received her undergraduate from NC State University in Biomedical Engineering, where she also developed a passion for teaching. She has taught numerous classes, developed curricula, and is a substitute teacher at NCSSM. Her passion for teaching has led her to Mindspire, where she tutors for the ACT, SAT, and AP Exams. After self-studying for 13 successful AP exams in high school, she is very experienced with test prep!When Brinnae is not in the research lab or teaching, she can be found trail running, rock climbing, racing obstacle courses, and going on adventures with her husband, Ryan, and her two cats, Tater and Tot.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I’d done reading on Ayurveda, and I’ve tried to adopt it to my life. You read the book, but if you don’t have someone boiling it down to some practical ways to utilize it and actually showing you…I didn’t know I’d learn so much I could take home with me. They make it common sense and practical."

PEGGY C.

Retired, Ohio

EXPERT INSTRUCTION

We are partnering with Mindspire Tutoring & Test Prep, proven test agency which has numerous success stories in SAT/ACT prep to deliver expert instruction for students.  Mindspire maintains a 5 star rating on Google and is a leader in test prep and tutoring for the Research Triangle and the region.  Instructors from Mindspire can score in the 99th percentile on any test they teach, have degrees from top universities, at least 3 years test preparation experience, and are totally dedicated to your success.

In parallel with SAT/ACT prep, students learn skills for managing their own stress, for improved concentration & reduced test-anxiety as part of the Art of Living YES! program.  Students with less stress are have improved learning ability, a sharper memory, and are more effective in testing situations. YES! has been delivered to over 70,000 students in the U.S.  

FROM TEST PREP LEADERS & STRESS MANAGEMENT EXPERTS

Learn More About Our Instructors

Rigorous Test Prep with World Renowned

Stress Management Training

Shahar and his team are top notch professionals. He has worked with both of my teens raising their ACT and SAT scores substantially. The rapport he built with each of them, as well as the prompt and thorough responsiveness to any questions me or my boys had, has made the experience well worh the investment!

- Parent, Mindspire Test Prep

Juliette had always been a great student but standardized testing was never her strength.  Working with you moved her score from an 1800 up to 2120 and yesterday she heard from U-Penn, her first choice, that she was accepted early! I can say for sure it would not have happened without your help and support so thank you very much for that. 

- Parent, Mindspire Test Prep