The idea to create this project arose during a journey to India in 2014. One year later, ‘The Little Budhha‘ was already coming to life. In 2015 one of the most prestigious colleges in Portugal accepted the challenge to be our pilot school, and in 2016 various partnerships were created with schools, international colleges, high schools and the John of God Association.
In 2017, after receiving a large number of requests, we began to offer training to the general public. Whether in Porto, Lisbon or the Algarve, our courses have always enjoyed full classrooms.
Would you believe that as a result of our project, meditation has become a reality for more than 5000 children!
The ‘Little Buddha‘ project consists of bringing techniques of meditation and mindfulness into the classroom. The results of these very simple exercises are that students become calmer, more attentive and achieve better marks. Its important to note that these exercises do not belong to any particular religion or tradition, rather they exist naturally for the development of all humanity.
This project is aimed at all children from the 1st class (5 yr-olds) upwards. Our team trains the teachers so that they can apply the exercises in the classroom.
We make regular visits to the schools with whom we are in partnership to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Both children and teachers have recieved ‘The Little Buddha’ project in their classrooms with the greatest enthusiasm!
Our mission is to bring techniques of mindfulness and meditation to children, principally in schools in the context of the classroom. We would like these sessions to become part of the day-to-day life of the children, thereby contributing to their development in a natural and holistic way. By protecting education we are protecting the children, and by protecting the children, we are protecting the planet!
To assist in the evolution of the educational system in a way that facilitates the children’s natural development, so that their world becomes a better place in which to live.
One of the greatest problems for children is a lack of concentration. As a consequence, some end up suffering from anxiety, frustration and low self-esteem, which can often result in their taking medication. In part, this anxiety is a result of the accelerated pace of life that is imposed upon them, as well as the high levels of work, tests, homework, time spent studying and the excessive stimulations of the digital age.
This is where our project comes into its own. We cannot make the causes of stress disappear, but we can teach the students a natural and holistic technique which will enable them to better manage their emotional and intellectual energies.
When they make ‘Quiet Time‘, the name we give to the techniques of meditation and relaxation we use in the classroom, the students eliminate anxiety from that present moment. They become more calm and more focused, as well as more sympathetic towards each other and their teacher, which brings an increase in personal satisfaction, effectiveness and productivity.
geral@opequenobuda.pt
Founder
Tomás Mello Breyner was born in Portugal on December 15, 1988. His life changed when he went to live in New York and dedicated himself completely to the study and practice of Yoga. Since then Thomas has traveled the world in search of knowledge about the art of living.
It is in India where he spends the most time, and it is there that near to the great masters he learns both yoga and meditation. Today she is certified by the Yoga Alliance with 500 hours of training and has her own yoga studio in Comporta, Portugal.
Tomás is a dreamer, adventurous and passionate about life. For him every day must be lived as if it were the last.
It was these characteristics that led him to create the project “The Little Buddha”. In 2017 he wrote his first book on the need to teach meditation to the youngest and was invited to speak at the TEDx ISTAlameda event.
www.tomasmellobreyner.com
Psychologist
Diogo Calado Urban de Meneses was born in Portugal, on April 13, 1988. In addition to meditation, he has a great passion for the arts, such as theater, writing and painting, and has already invigorated several artistic expression atliers with children of various ages . Enjoy outdoor activities that provide you with contact with nature, such as surfing and climbing. He has taught surfing since 2010.
He took a degree in Psychology from ISPA – Instituto Universitário, his interest in education led him to choose the Master in Educational Psychology. They have a training in Meditation for Children, a training in Occupational Therapy for the Arts and a Creative Writing Course. He affirms that in every moment of life there are innumerable opportunities for learning about the world and about ourselves, especially if we are around children.
Diogo believes that school is a reflection of society. A place where several interpersonal relationships are established, where we explore and build important elements of our personal and social identity. For this reason, he argues that integral education, as well as investing in the intellectual development of children, should also prioritize their socio-emotional development, elements that influence each other and are essential to learning. As such, he believes it is necessary to create conditions, such as the “Little Buddha” project, to support children in the construction of cognitive, behavioral and socio-emotional skills necessary in their daily lives.
In this way, we will not only facilitate learning and ensure the psychological, emotional and social well-being of our children, but we will also help them contribute positively to a better and more conscious future for our society.
Teacher
Raquel Canhão Born in Lisbon on March 17, 1978.
She has been practicing Yoga since 2012 and since then Yoga has become an integral part of her life as a mother, woman and teacher.
He has been working for nineteen years with daycare, preschool and special educational needs.
In addition to this, she is a Yoga teacher for children certified by the SunShine Yoga School, training in the project “The Little Buddha” by Tomás de Mello Breyner and Yoga instructor course certified by the Yoga Alliance 200 hours of training.
Rachel is creative, intuitive, cheerful, loving and breathes the childish world of body and soul.
Artist and Professor
He was born in Lisbon and his connection with the World of Arts was very evident from an early age.
He graduated and taught for 11 years in public education, in the artistic context, having simultaneously deepened and consolidated his aspect of ceramist.
Yoga and Ayurveda end up crossing naturally with the artistic side and nowadays, living in nature and in an organic way, is walking its professional path and spiritual development in the areas of Yoga for adults (Hatha Yoga Classic), Yoga and meditation for children, Ayurvedic massage and artistic ceramics.
He is currently developing a project involving ceramics, Mandalas and Sacred Geometry.
Nasceu em Lisboa a 17 de Março de 1995. Artista de alma e eterna exploradora do Ser, vive inspirada pela beleza e mistérios da Natureza. Apaixonada pela essência viva da Criança, tem trabalhado com os pequenos filhos da Terra durante os últimos 4 anos.
Aos 17 anos conheceu o yoga e a meditação que foi um ponto de viragem na sua vida. Desde então que vê a vida como uma infinita viagem de autoconhecimento e procura servir a Terra e seus habitantes através dos seus dons e talentos para o elevar da Consciência Humana.
Estudou Psicologia na Universidade de Lisboa, tendo terminado a licenciatura em 2017. Foi durante a Universidade que começou o interesse pela Educação e Pedagogia e a vontade de trabalhar com crianças. Patrícia acredita que as crianças são os nossos maiores maestros e que como adultos o nosso papel é regar as crianças com Amor e dar-lhes suporte para poderem explorar-se de forma segura e harmoniosa com o Todo.
No seu percurso foi voluntária em diferentes Projetos Educativos, sendo que o mais recente e onde sente que aprendeu mais foi o Raízes, escola de Educação Viva, Familiar e Ecopedagogia. Faz também parte do projeto Crianças da Terra no SerVivo, na Arrábida, onde dinamiza a TeCri, um campo de férias que dá oportunidade às crianças de estarem num espaço de liberdade e vivência comunitária em conexão com a Natureza.
Para além do seu trabalho com as crianças, nos últimos anos tem vindo a explorar a Arte como ferramenta terapêutica, meditativa, de desenvolvimento pessoal e autoconhecimento, e práticas Energéticas e Terapêuticas ligadas ao corpo e ao toque consciente, como o Reiki e a Massagem.
Atualmente vive no coração da Serra da Arrábida onde está a iniciar um projeto de Imersões na Natureza, inspirado na Ecoterapia, Ecologia Profunda e Mindfulness. Organiza anualmente o Ser Água, encontro dedicado à Consciência da Água e dinamiza Workshops tanto para adultos como crianças.
Teacher
Woman, Diana’s mother, daughter, sister, friend and companion. Try to always see the positive side of life and make up for what might at first seem complicated. She is happy, creative, optimistic, cheerful, persistent and resilient. She was born on March 16, 1980, on New Moon in the spring, so she is in love with children who are the flowers of life.
He has been practicing yoga since 2011, a student and apprentice of meditation since 2014, including this practice daily in his life. It seeks to follow your heart and guide your life by integrating the principles of Mindfulness into your daily life. It seeks to make the most of the present moment with curiosity and without judgment. From the silence she learned to stop, to listen to her breathing and to slow down her pace of life, which allowed a greater and better knowledge of herself, which then extended to a greater understanding and understanding with others. With Conscious Parenting she found the opportunity to develop the most important relationship of her life – with her daughter – and to pass on to other families, not only what she learned, but also everything she believes in. By profession she is a 1st cycle teacher, with more than a decade in teaching. She is a Graduate in Conflict Mediation in School Context, Meditation Facilitator for Children – “The Little Buddha,” Conscious Development Facilitator for Children and Young People, and Conscious Parenting Facilitator by the AdPC (Conscious Parenting Academy). Has a background in Mindfulness, Philosophy for Children, Nonviolent Communication and Founder of the Conscious Parents, Happy Children project. (www.parentalidadeconsciente.com).
She also frequently organizes Workshops, lectures and developed activities in the two editions of the Art and Consciousness Festival, in the 1st edition of the Mini-Festival the Little Buddha, in Retreat “As far as you want to go” – Mindfulness and Personal Leadership and Wanderlust.
Founder
Tomás Mello Breyner was born in Portugal on December 15, 1988. His life changed when he went to live in New York and dedicated himself completely to the study and practice of Yoga. Since then Thomas has traveled the world in search of knowledge about the art of living.
It is in India where he spends the most time, and it is there that near to the great masters he learns both yoga and meditation. Today she is certified by the Yoga Alliance with 500 hours of training and has her own yoga studio in Comporta, Portugal.
Tomás is a dreamer, adventurous and passionate about life. For him every day must be lived as if it were the last.
It was these characteristics that led him to create the project “The Little Buddha”. In 2017 he wrote his first book on the need to teach meditation to the youngest and was invited to speak at the TEDx ISTAlameda event.
www.tomasmellobreyner.com
Psychologist
Diogo Calado Urban de Meneses was born in Portugal, on April 13, 1988. In addition to meditation, he has a great passion for the arts, such as theater, writing and painting, and has already invigorated several artistic expression atliers with children of various ages . Enjoy outdoor activities that provide you with contact with nature, such as surfing and climbing. He has taught surfing since 2010.
He took a degree in Psychology from ISPA – Instituto Universitário, his interest in education led him to choose the Master in Educational Psychology. They have a training in Meditation for Children, a training in Occupational Therapy for the Arts and a Creative Writing Course. He affirms that in every moment of life there are innumerable opportunities for learning about the world and about ourselves, especially if we are around children.
Diogo believes that school is a reflection of society. A place where several interpersonal relationships are established, where we explore and build important elements of our personal and social identity. For this reason, he argues that integral education, as well as investing in the intellectual development of children, should also prioritize their socio-emotional development, elements that influence each other and are essential to learning. As such, he believes it is necessary to create conditions, such as the “Little Buddha” project, to support children in the construction of cognitive, behavioral and socio-emotional skills necessary in their daily lives.
In this way, we will not only facilitate learning and ensure the psychological, emotional and social well-being of our children, but we will also help them contribute positively to a better and more conscious future for our society.
Teacher
Raquel Canhão Born in Lisbon on March 17, 1978.
She has been practicing Yoga since 2012 and since then Yoga has become an integral part of her life as a mother, woman and teacher.
He has been working for nineteen years with daycare, preschool and special educational needs.
In addition to this, she is a Yoga teacher for children certified by the SunShine Yoga School, training in the project “The Little Buddha” by Tomás de Mello Breyner and Yoga instructor course certified by the Yoga Alliance 200 hours of training.
Rachel is creative, intuitive, cheerful, loving and breathes the childish world of body and soul.
Artist and Professor
He was born in Lisbon and his connection with the World of Arts was very evident from an early age.
He graduated and taught for 11 years in public education, in the artistic context, having simultaneously deepened and consolidated his aspect of ceramist.
Yoga and Ayurveda end up crossing naturally with the artistic side and nowadays, living in nature and in an organic way, is walking its professional path and spiritual development in the areas of Yoga for adults (Hatha Yoga Classic), Yoga and meditation for children, Ayurvedic massage and artistic ceramics.
He is currently developing a project involving ceramics, Mandalas and Sacred Geometry.
Teacher
Woman, Diana’s mother, daughter, sister, friend and companion. Try to always see the positive side of life and make up for what might at first seem complicated. She is happy, creative, optimistic, cheerful, persistent and resilient. She was born on March 16, 1980, on New Moon in the spring, so she is in love with children who are the flowers of life.
He has been practicing yoga since 2011, a student and apprentice of meditation since 2014, including this practice daily in his life. It seeks to follow your heart and guide your life by integrating the principles of Mindfulness into your daily life. It seeks to make the most of the present moment with curiosity and without judgment. From the silence she learned to stop, to listen to her breathing and to slow down her pace of life, which allowed a greater and better knowledge of herself, which then extended to a greater understanding and understanding with others. With Conscious Parenting she found the opportunity to develop the most important relationship of her life – with her daughter – and to pass on to other families, not only what she learned, but also everything she believes in. By profession she is a 1st cycle teacher, with more than a decade in teaching. She is a Graduate in Conflict Mediation in School Context, Meditation Facilitator for Children – “The Little Buddha,” Conscious Development Facilitator for Children and Young People, and Conscious Parenting Facilitator by the AdPC (Conscious Parenting Academy). Has a background in Mindfulness, Philosophy for Children, Nonviolent Communication and Founder of the Conscious Parents, Happy Children project. (www.parentalidadeconsciente.com).
She also frequently organizes Workshops, lectures and developed activities in the two editions of the Art and Consciousness Festival, in the 1st edition of the Mini-Festival the Little Buddha, in Retreat “As far as you want to go” – Mindfulness and Personal Leadership and Wanderlust.
