Paul Badali developed Activity Integrated Mindfulness (AIM) as a developmental primer for adolescents on the younger end (ages 12-14). The program addresses the self-regulation needs of this population. AIM (which stands for both Activity Integrated Mindfulness and As I aM) is a health and wellness psychotherapy that includes mindfulness in movement. This individual and family-dyad program facilitates body, mind and brain integration. Just “As I Am” is the overall principle that encourages self acceptance while clients learn:

• Self-regulation skills that build resiliency
• Mindfulness in movement and multiple breathing skills
• Yoga and basic martial arts
• Mastery, Trust and Psychological Flexibility

Operating out of an Experiential Exercise Psychotherapy (EXP) model, it is understood that self-regulation is a limited but renewable resource and that self-regulation (self-control) failure results from the depletion of self-regulation resources (energy) and not a motivational or moral failing. Moreover, the biochemical individuality of each person determines how much of this resource is used and which activities deplete it. There is no cookie cutter solution and the approach is specific to the individual. Therefore, the As I aM program takes the position that participants already have what they need to be the best they can be and that conservation and conscientious direction of their limited but renewable energy is the path to self-regulation success in endeavours that matter to them. As I aM will assist participants in understanding:

• importance of personal energy
• how energy flow is inherent in the body, mind and brain and
• how to recognize when it is depleted, so that
• the energy can be renewed for self regulation success.

As I aM will assist participants in understanding how they can best direct their limited energies in the activities they already value rather than adding onto their workload with new practice activities that will only serve to further deplete resources. Through conservation, more efficient direction, graduated extension of the activity and recharge, participants will gain a foundation for increasing their self-regulation capacity as they mature into their self-regulation skills. As I aM operates from the position that the client is already perfectly whole and that further integration of this body, mind and brain is the working foundation for more efficient energy to allow the client to do what they want and to successfully self-regulate.