Alyssa L. Chimiklis
New York University, USAPresentation Title:
Empowering young minds: A pilot study of yoga and mindfulness for emotion regulation, executive function, and attentional challenges in at-risk girls
Abstract
Schools are increasingly turning to yoga and mindfulness to support students’ mental health, yet few programs have been rigorously evaluated—particularly among young children exposed to elevated risk factors. This presentation highlights findings from a year-long pilot study evaluating Little Flower Yoga, a school-integrated yoga and mindfulness program, in a diverse sample of 5–7-year-old girls from low-income backgrounds. Participants were identified as having emotional and attentional challenges and received yoga instruction as part of their school’s curriculum. Utilizing multi-method, longitudinal assessment across four time points, the study examined outcomes in emotion regulation, executive functioning, and attention.
Statistical analyses revealed moderate to large effect sizes in areas such as emotional selfcontrol, anger regulation, and inhibitory control, with clinically meaningful change observed in several participants. Although no significant group-level changes were detected at a 3-month follow-up, individual-level improvements underscore the potential of integrated mindfulness programs to impact developmental trajectories. The presentation will discuss implementation in real-world school settings, benefits for early intervention, and future directions for research with larger and more diverse samples
Biography
Dr. Alyssa Chimiklis is a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Thrive Health, a private practice that integrates evidence-based care with a holistic, whole-person approach. She specializes in working with adolescents and young adults navigating ADHD, eating disorders, and trauma. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Chimiklis is dedicated to training the next generation of psychologists. She oversees didactics, provides supervision for doctoral and postdoctoral trainees and staff, and assists with program development at the Eating Disorder Center at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, where she promotes compassionate, research-informed clinical growth.
Dr. Chimiklis earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Diego Health’s Eating Disorders Center. She is currently a fellow in the 2025–26 Psychiatry Redefined Fellowship in Functional Psychiatry, led by Dr. James Greenblatt, with advanced training in nutritional psychiatry and integrative, root-cause mental health care.
A published author, her work appears in peer-reviewed journals, an encyclopedia entry, and book chapters, including the Handbook of DSM-5 Childhood Disorders and its forthcoming edition. Her current research explores a school-based program that fosters positive embodiment, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and sustainable self-care in middle school students.
Dr. Chimiklis earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at UC San Diego Health’s Eating Disorders Center. She is currently a fellow in the 2025–26 Psychiatry Redefined Fellowship in Functional Psychiatry, led by Dr. James Greenblatt, with advanced training in nutritional psychiatry and integrative, root-cause mental health care.
A published author, her work appears in peer-reviewed journals, an encyclopedia entry, and book chapters, including the Handbook of DSM-5 Childhood Disorders and its forthcoming edition. Her current research explores a school-based program that fosters positive embodiment, self-compassion, emotional regulation, and sustainable self-care in middle school students.
Organization Location
1309 Coffeen Avenue, STE 1200, Sheridan, Wyoming 82801, USA
Mail us at
Drop us an email for Program enquiry
healthcare@scientexconferences.com
General Queries
contact@scientexconferences.com
Registration query
finance@scientexconferences.com
globalhealthcare@scientexevents.com
Our Social Presence
Call us at
USA :+1 510 370 1934