Teenagers in gangs have been using meditation and mindfulness techniques before appearing in court.
Kimmi Denise, a former art teacher in special education, has worked with some of the most challenging children across Norfolk, including youth offenders and teen gang members.
Whilst working in education, Ms Denise wanted to bring her passion for meditation, mindfulness and healing crystals into the classroom to see what affect it would have on the students.
She said this calming practice had an overwhelming affect on the students and their behaviour.
Ms Denise said: "A lot of children come into school having witnessed domestic abuse in their homes, family members on drugs, or problems with gangs, so how can you expect them to sit and learn? If you actually look at the children's lives it is chaos.
"After teaching them how to meditate and how to use healing crystal students reported that their sleep improved, their mental wellbeing improved and they were even using it at home with their siblings.
"One of the students who had been to court was on his last warning and told 'this is it now, you're going to be put in a unit if you don't sort it out' and he said 'well the only thing that helps me is my teacher who does meditation and showed me crystals' it was amazing."
Despite no longer working as a teacher, Ms Denise has made it her mission to start her own mindfulness business to help adults and children in Thetford, as she said more needed to be done to support those with mental health issues.
Adult meditation sessions have started, with the next on September 8, 7pm to 8:30pm, at the Sports and Social Bar in Thetford.
Ms Denise will also be offering her first child meditation session, for five-10-year-olds, for free on October 21, 12.30-2pm at the same location.
Ms Denise added: "It is really important because to get to adult life and not have the ability to cope with stress, anxiety, anger, low self esteem, in turn will result in addictions and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
"Allowing children to be empowered through the use of mindfulness and meditation will break negative cycles that they keep repeating."
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