Our story

Meet the founder

Rupa Mehta is a teacher, author, wellness expert, and trailblazer in education. A first-generation Indian American, Rupa's approach to wellness has been influenced by eastern and western philosophies, and emphasizes the connection between mind and body.

Rupa founded the Nalini Method in 2003, an adult workout experience that strengthens both the body and the mind. As her adult clients became more confident, empowered and energized, they encouraged her to bring her philosophy to kids. In 2009, Rupa founded NaliniKIDS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on helping students make healthy physical and emotional connections so they can be engaged in learning and positively impacting their communities.

She has since published over 40 curriculum books and appeared in many national outlets, including in Forbes, on PBS, and in the New York Times. She is a frequent speaker at leadership conferences and education training programs.

What is "Nalini"?

Nalini is the Hindu word for lotus.

The lotus flower starts small, growing from the bottom of a pond, pushing through mud and muck. As it slowly rises above the water, the lotus remains unsoiled. Only when it reaches the surface does the lotus bud begin to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

Nalini is also the name of the healthiest person - in mind and body - that founder Rupa Mehta has ever known, her mother.

The name NaliniKIDS honors both the persevering journey of the lotus flower and Nalini Mehta.

“I wanted to create a fitness community that emanated the feeling I had around my mom — a feeling of being accepted, encouraged, nurtured, and challenged. I thought that if others could experience even a little of what I was blessed with growing up that the world would be a better place.”

A brief history

2008: Founder Rupa Mehta and some friends begin volunteering at a Brooklyn middle school teaching physical workouts in combination with an informal book club.

2009: Connect to Your One, the foundational text of all NaliniKIDS programs is published. Readers request the book's concepts for a younger audience.

2012: NaliniKIDS becomes a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, named after Rupa’s mom, Nalini.

2016: The first 10 student workbooks are published, bringing NaliniKIDS to elementary schools. NYC includes NaliniKIDS in the district's STEM summer school program.

2019: Research teams from Teachers College at Columbia University complete two independent evaluations of NaliniKIDS.

2019: Three additional Volumes of the Connect Collection books are published, expanding the curriculum offerings from K - 12.

2020: NaliniKIDS partners with local PBS to deliver educational content at home through “Let’s Learn NYC!" during the pandemic. Watch on YouTube

2023: NaliniKIDS founder Rupa Mehta makes the case for infusing movement into learning with her groundbreaking SXSW EDU talk, "Exercising Emotions.” Watch on YouTube

2024: The early childhood program OOPA’S World of Words launches, bringing the NaliniKIDS philosophy to preschool and pre-K for the first time. Learn more

Where it all started

Hear from the original NaliniKIDS school, where the program first began over 15 years ago, and continues to build connection and community.