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Rupa Mehta is a teacher, entrepreneur, author, fitness expert and trailblazer in social-emotional learning. She is the founder of Nalini Method and NaliniKIDS, both based on Rupa’s wellness philosophy that true health is achieved by being both emotionally and physically fit. Rupa has appeared in many national publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, SELF, and more. She has published over 40 books as part of a robust SEL curriculum spanning K-12 grade levels. A first-generation Indian American, Rupa grew up in Fairfax, Virginia, majored in journalism and marketing at New York University, and then received her MBA from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Rupa founded Nalini Method in 2003 to create a simple, highly accessible, preventive wellness system. Her goal is for clients of all body shapes and sizes to feel strong, confident and capable while taking her class. The Nalini Method, voted a top workout by Vogue, O The Oprah Magazine and The New York Times, fuses light weights, barre, pilates and stretching with motivating, specialized and personal direction achieving a full mind-body workout. 

Seeing how valuable lessons of both body and mind were in adults is what inspired Rupa to create NaliniKIDS in 2009. NaliniKIDS is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on creating PK-12 programs that pair movement with reflection, so kids feel more confident, empowered and energized to learn. NaliniKIDS was founded in partnership with NYC Service within the largest school district in the US, and has expanded nationally reaching over 200,000 students. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NaliniKIDS launched 100% free programs available to educators, counselors and parents for use in school or at home, to remove all barriers to access and give students an outlet to process today’s world.

Researchers from Teachers College at Columbia University have conducted two independent evaluations of NaliniKIDS programs, finding that students who complete NaliniKIDS programs demonstrate improvements in focus, academic achievement, and emotional well-being.