Y4C™ Support
In January, 2007, SYTAR, the first Symposium of Yoga Therapy and Research, was held in Los Angeles to further define the field of yoga therapy, share research results, and discuss methods of further inquiry. Nearly a quarter of the abstracts submitted for the symposium focused on children and adolescents. Since then, dozens of additional studies have been completed, supporting the results of the earlier studies. The very same benefits subjectively seen by many of us who work with children, have now been measured and reported.
Overwhelmingly, research shows that children who practice yoga-based movement, conscious breathing, and mindfulness activities are better able to regulate their emotions, manage stress and calm themselves. They may also choose better foods to eat and engage in more physical activity than children who do not. The studies also illustrate that centered, calm and focused children learn more easily, have better social skills and, in general, are much happier kids.
The following are some of the benefits of yoga to support the education of the whole child, thus maximizing the learning process:
- Provides students healthy ways to express and balance their emotions.
- Promotes a more relaxed, comfortable state of being - the perfect state for teaching and learning.
- Brings students into the present moment – the most basic requirement for learning.
- Encourages community and connectedness within the classroom.
- Helps to create an atmosphere of confidence, enthusiasm and non-competitiveness where everyone can succeed.
- Provides opportunities for beneficial motor breaks throughout the day.
- Eases anxiety and tension (such as pre-test or performance jitters).
- Enhances focus, concentration, comprehension and memory.
- Provides opportunities for reflection, patience and insight, reducing impulsivity and reactivity.
- Supports social and emotional learning.
- Improves listening skills.
- Wakes up sluggish minds and creativity as needed.
- Enhances organizational and communication skills.
- Improves posture, assisting students to sit comfortably for long periods.
- Enhances motor skills and balance.
- Improves mind/body awareness and connection.
- Improves confidence and self-esteem.
- Encourages respect for oneself and others.
- Creates a calm, harmonious classroom.
Increasing numbers of teachers and administrators are recognizing yoga, breath awareness and mindfulness activities as being beneficial to their students' (and their own!) mental health and well-being, and to the learning environment in general. As yoga offers a non-competitive alternative to sports, it's also becoming part of many physical education curricula and after school enrichment offerings.
Though there are several worthy programs available, none are entirely suitable for the classroom environment and/or there is too much emphasis on yoga stretching and too little on addressing the whole child: social, emotional and physical. Yoga 4 Classrooms™ was developed to fill in the gaps, and simply and practically address the needs communicated by teachers, administrators and parents.
Download Supporting Research (162 KB)
Download Supporting Books & Articles (160 KB)
