Heidi Thompson grew up in Canada and moved to Europe to study art and photography. After 8 years of formal training, she returned to Canada and worked as a professional photographer, painter, and publisher. Heidi later returned to university and earned her B.C. professional teaching certificate. Heidi's interest in meditation led her to attending a 10-day Vipassana retreat where she learned breath awareness. She has practiced breath awareness for over 30 years. Interested in helping children, Heidi worked as a children’s counselor at breath awareness courses in the USA and Canada. In 1996, Heidi pioneered a program called Mindmastery and was the first to teach breath awareness to children in public schools.

Mindmastery attracted media attention was featured on CBC television. Heidi received requests from parents, teachers, therapists, and childcare professionals wanting to know how to help children increase focus and reduce stress. In response, Thompson compiled her program’s instructions, teaching strategies, and stories into a practical “how to” manual that evolved into her recently published book, Calm Focus Joy: The Power of Breath Awareness - A Practical Guide for Adults and Children. Calm Focus Joy is available for purchase on Heidi Thompson’s website: www.calmfocusjoy.com  or through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and can be ordered through any bookstore.