There's no doubt the world is full of conflict and stress, but Kim Wilder is working to bring inner peace, one person at a time. Wilder is hosting new programs at Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA) that focus on mindfulness.

Family Yoga and Mindfulness is a drop-in program for children ages 3 to 5 and their families. It is held on Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. at DSAA, 78 E. Main St., Mount Joy. The class includes breathing techniques, poses, games, mindfulness practice and songs.

A program for teenage girls is offered on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. Participants must be referred by a therapist, school or organization for the program, which focuses on mindfulness and yoga.

"In the world we live in, everything is moving so fast," Wilder said. "We need to be able to pause and create some space to slow down. Mindfulness gives us the gift of presence, to really be able to experience life in this moment."

She noted that the motivation for starting the program for teen girls came from her vast experience as a yoga instructor and her training as a yoga therapist.

"I wanted to create a space for teen girls to be comfortable being vulnerable," she said. "We use mindfulness and yoga to build self-esteem and compassion and to navigate through the challenges of what it's like to be a teenage girl in the world today. We use some of these skills to reduce anxiety, self-regulate and be more present."

At the family yoga class, Wilder focuses on helping both parents and children become more mindful. "I teach them how to integrate mindfulness into their home life," she stated.

Wilder, who also leads private classes focused on yoga and the 12 Steps for men and women in recovery, has been teaching mindfulness in schools for more than a decade.

She noted that her programs are welcoming to everyone, no matter a person's experience or background.

"A big part of what I bring to my yoga class is the idea of acceptance," she said. "It's welcoming to all body types and all people."

Both the program for teen girls and the family yoga class are funded by a grant from Touchstone Foundation in Lancaster. "They focus on mental health and wellness," explained DSAA executive director Stacy Emminger. "They recently put out a call for applications for micro-grants for programs that benefit youth mental wellness. I knew the work Kim does is a good fit, so I applied."

Wilder said she hopes her programs help people find a sense of calm in a stressful world. She likes to reference a philosophy by author and meditation expert Sharon Salzberg, who talks about how someone can positively influence everything within a 3-foot radius. "You can't fix big scale, international problems, but by focusing on your 3-foot radius, you can make a difference in the world," Wilder said. "You can share kindness and be more present with the people that are right in your space."

For more information on DSAA programs, visit http://www.dsasquared.org or search for "Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance" on Facebook.