While training as a therapist in California, Anne-Marie found herself deeply moved by the struggles of the students she worked with. She saw children overwhelmed by emotions they didn’t understand—frustration,
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anxiety, sadness—without the tools to navigate them. It was disconcerting that children knew how to read, write, and solve math problems, but when it came to handling inner and life’s challenges, they were left without educational guidance. This realization struck a deep personal chord with the understanding of how different Anne-Marie’s journey might have been if taught socio-emotional skills and mindfulness as a child. And then came the question that changed everything: Why do we teach children all these subjects, except how to understand themselves, their inner world, their thoughts, emotions, and the very essence of what it means to be human.
From this awareness, innerU was born.
Dr. Patricia Zadeh, PsyD, LMFT
To create a world where every child is equipped with the mindfulness, socio-emotional intelligence, and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges with confidence, compassion, and inner peace. Through mindfulness and the wisdom of nature, we envision a future where schools nurture not only academic success but also the well-being of the whole child—mind, heart, and spirit.
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InnerU partners with educators and school administrators to bring mindfulness and social-emotional learning into the classroom in a way that is engaging, accessible, and deeply impactful. By using nature as a teaching tool, we provide teachers with practical strategies to help students understand their emotions, manage stress, and develop self-awareness—creating a calmer, more focused, and heart-centered learning environment. Our mission is to support schools in cultivating holistic education, where academic achievement and socio-emotional well-being go hand in hand, preparing students for both academic success and lifelong personal growth.
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At innerU, we believe mindfulness is best learned through experience, curiosity, and connection—not just as a concept, but as a way of being. Our approach blends mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and nature-based learning to create engaging, hands-on experiences that help children and educators alike develop self-awareness, resilience, and inner peace.
By using nature as our teacher, we bring mindfulness to life through the wisdom of the ocean’s rhythm, the patience of trees, and the stillness of animals in the wild. Through storytelling, movement, breathwork, and sensory exploration, we help children understand their emotions, manage stress, and cultivate presence in a way that feels natural, joyful, and deeply meaningful.
For educators, innerU provides simple yet powerful tools to seamlessly integrate mindfulness into the classroom, fostering a calm, heart-centered, and focused learning environment where both teachers and students can thrive.
Mindfulness isn’t just something we teach—it’s something we live, breathe, and grow together.
innerU continues to grow, guided by the belief that every child deserves to learn not just how to succeed academically, but how to thrive as a human being. By using nature as a vehicle for teaching mindfulness, we empower the next generation with the tools to navigate life with presence, resilience, and an open heart. Anne-Marie’s journey has come full circle—from struggling with emotional pain to creating a pathway for children to grow, heal, and flourish. And this is just the beginning. Because when we teach children to understand themselves, we change the world—one mindful breath, one tree, one lesson at a time.
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About Dr. Charest, Founder of innerU
Dr. Anne-Marie Charest is a dedicated therapist, educator, and environmental advocate with over two decades of experience integrating science-based mindfulness practices with nature-centered learning. Originally from Quebec, Canada, she has devoted her career to helping children, youth, and educators cultivate emotional resilience, self-awareness, and well-being through evidence based, embodied mindfulness approaches.
With a Doctorate in Transpersonal Psychology and expertise in Somatic Psychology, Dr. Charest has extensively researched the impact of mindfulness in schools, focusing on how body-based awareness and contemplative practices can enhance emotional regulation, focus, and overall mental health. Drawing from both modern neuroscience and ancient contemplative traditions, she has developed a holistic educational and therapeutic model that supports the whole person—mind, body, and emotions.
As the founder of innerU Mindfulness Nature-Based Adventures, Dr. Charest bridges the gap between mindfulness education and social-emotional learning, equipping students and educators with practical tools to navigate their inner world. Her passion for nature-centric well-being has led her to advocate for the reintroduction of sensory-based learning and ecological mindfulness in schools, recognizing the profound impact that nature as a tool to teach mindfulness and socio-emotional skills.
Through innerU, she empowers educators to create calmer, more engaged classrooms by integrating daily mindfulness practices, movement, and positive psychology techniques that foster self-regulation and emotional intelligence.
