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The Benefits of Yoga for Children in Schools

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... Bu verilere dayanarak, yoganın anksiyete, depresyon ya da stresle başa çıkmada olumlu etkileri olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır. Benzer olarak, Eggleston (2015) tarafından yürütülen deneysel bir araştırmada öğrenciler bir akademik yıl boyunca haftada bir kez yoga uygulamasına katılmışlardır. Çalışmanın sonunda öğrenciler yoga derslerinden keyif aldıklarını ve yoga dersini bitirdikten sonra başarı ve memnuniyet duygusu hissettiklerini belirtmişlerdir. ...
... Örneğin, Telles ve diğerleri (2019) tarafından yürütülen araştırmanın bulguları yoganın çocukların öz saygı gelişimine olumlu yönde etki ettiği yönündedir. Aynı şekilde Eggleston (2015)'e göre de yoga uygulamasının ardından daha düşük algılanan stres seviyesi ile gözlemlenen olumlu duygular, öz saygının gelişmesine olanak sağlamaktadır. Benzer bulgular Cook-Cottone ve diğerleri (2017) tarafından yürütülen araştırma ile desteklenmiştir. ...
... Veri toplama araçları açısından makaleler ele alındığında, araştırmacılar çoğunlukla nesnel sonuçlar ortaya koyan öz saygı ölçeği (Eggleston, 2015), öz düzenleme ölçeği (Razza ve diğerleri, 2013), stres ve kaygı seviyesi testi (White, 2012), motor beceri testi (Gaylord, 2014), bilişsel işlemlerin uygulanması ölçeği (Özgün ve diğerleri, 2019) gibi ölçeklerin yanı sıra kan basıncı ve kalp atışı (Hagins ve diğerleri, 2013) ve kortizol testi (Butzer ve diğerleri, 2014) gibi fizyolojik ölçümlerden yararlanmışlardır. Ayrıca, araştırmalarda çocuk, öğretmen ve ebeveynlerden veri elde etmeyi amaçlayan ölçekler kullanılmıştır. ...
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Bu çalışma 2010-2021 yılları arasında 3-14 yaşları arasındaki çocuklar ile okul ortamında yürütülen yoga uygulamalarına odaklanan 25 deneysel araştırmayı analiz etmektedir. Mevcut çalışmanın temel amacı; okullarda yürütülen yoga uygulamalarının genel özelliklerini belirlemek, uygulamalara ilişkin bulguların derlenerek bu alanda çalışma yürüten araştırmacıların özellikle 3-14 yaş aralığındaki çocuklar için geliştirilecek alternatif yoga uygulamalarına ışık tutmak ve öğretmen/ebeveynlere yoga uygulamaları hakkında pratik bulgular sunmaktır. Çalışmaya dâhil edilen deneysel çalışmalar, çok sayıda veri tabanının kapsamlı şekilde incelenmesi ve ulusal/uluslararası dergilerin derinlemesine analiz edilmesi yoluyla belirlenmiştir. Seçilen çalışmaların içerikleri incelenmiş ve çalışmaların bulguları; 3-14 yaş arası çocuklarla okul ortamında yürütülen yoga uygulamaları araştırmalarının genel özellikleri, bu uygulamaların çocukların gelişim alanlarına etkisi ve uygulamalarda karşılaşılan zorluklar olmak üzere kategorize edilerek analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular doğrultusunda gelecekte yürütülmesi planlanan çalışmaların yoga uygulamalarının gelişim alanlarını ne düzeyde etkilediğini belirlemek ve uygulamada yaşanan sorunların üstesinden gelinebilmesi amacıyla daha derinlemesine araştırmalar yapılması önerilebilir.
... Today, there is more pressure on students to perform academically (Eggleston, 2015). Often students face learning challenges that may include lower socioeconomic status, stressful home life, or medical conditions such as anxiety (Eggleston, 2015). ...
... Today, there is more pressure on students to perform academically (Eggleston, 2015). Often students face learning challenges that may include lower socioeconomic status, stressful home life, or medical conditions such as anxiety (Eggleston, 2015). Eggleston (2015) also noted exercises focused on the practice of expanding and deepening the breath had been shown to help students who may have difficulty concentrating because of conditions such as anxiety. ...
... Often students face learning challenges that may include lower socioeconomic status, stressful home life, or medical conditions such as anxiety (Eggleston, 2015). Eggleston (2015) also noted exercises focused on the practice of expanding and deepening the breath had been shown to help students who may have difficulty concentrating because of conditions such as anxiety. The positive benefits of yoga among adults have been well established, but yoga use among children in school-based settings is still in the exploratory phase of research (Butzer, et al., 2016). ...
Article
Introduction: Anxiety is becoming more common in children and can negatively affect social and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of 10 min of yoga on anxiety in third- and fourth-graders over 8 weeks. Method: Participants completed 10 min of yoga daily during the school week. Participants completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders anxiety screening tool at the beginning and after the program. Results: Paired sample t test noted a significant difference between pretest and posttest raw scores in the category of generalized anxiety disorder. On average, participants had significantly decreased raw anxiety scores after completing the program (mean = -0.0308), t(60) = -3.137, p < .05. Discussion: This study demonstrates that yoga practiced as little as 10 min a day over 8 weeks can have a significant impact on decreasing anxiety in children aged 8-10 years.
... Koenig et al. [4] found significant decreases in maladaptive behavior in children 9 years of age with autism spectrum disorders after receiving 16 weeks of daily school-based yoga [4]. Eggleston [5] found that seventh grade students who participated in yoga for at least 30 minutes per week over the course of one academic school year demonstrated a significant increase in self-esteem and a decrease in perceived stress. Folleto et al. [6] examined the effects of a 12-week school based yoga program on the motor and social abilities of children 6-8 years of age, finding improvements in balance, strength and flexibility [6]. ...
... The learning challenges this generation of young people face are more prevalent in today's society, particularly in children who live in stressful home environments, as well as in children with developmental disorders [3]. Eggleston et al have outlined the benefits of yoga for children, and their findings include reduced perceived stress and anxiety, improved self-esteem, and better focus on tasks in school [5]. Evidence of decreased levels of salivary cortisol, a biomarker associated with stress, was found in elementary children in a study by Butzer et al. (Butzer et al., 2014). ...
... The children who participated in classroom yoga programs were largely diagnosed with autism, which is a population that has been shown in the literature to benefit from yoga programming. Rosenblatt et al reported changes on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist following 8 weeks of yoga in [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] year-old children with autism Rosenblatt et al. [16]. Another study that reviewed the effects of yoga on this population found decreases in maladaptive behavior in children 9 years of age with autism spectrum disorders after receiving 16 weeks of daily school-based yoga Koenig et al. [4]. ...
... Yoga comprises basic teachings, includes breathing and meditation that enables mental focusing and relaxation, and specific poses that ensures concentration (Feuerstein, 2003). Yoga changes the physiology of the body through respiratory manipulation (breathing exercises), cognitive control and body stance exercises (Eggleston, 2015;Farahani, Hekmatpou, Khonsari, & Gholami, 2019). In addition, activities that incorporate physical exercises such as yoga contribute to cognitive functions (Galantino, Galbavy, & Quinn, 2008;Ploughman, 2008;Telles, Singh, Bhardwaj, Kumar, & Balkrishna, 2013). ...
... Recently, it has been emphasized that school-based yoga programs develop children's behavioral and academic skills. Improving physical and cognitive flexibility, yoga allows children to relax and focus, and, as a result, influences children's academic achievements (Eggleston, 2015). It is believed that yoga has a positive effect on self-regulation, attention enhancement, and self-confidence, which influence physical and emotional well-being (Hagen & Nayar, 2014). ...
... In addition, integrating mindfulness practices with physical activities such as yoga has shown positive effects on mental health [29]. Studies indicate that children who engage in yoga may experience a reduction in stress or anxiety, enhancement in mood [30,31], and improved breathing efficiency [32]. Furthermore, school-based yoga-type programs have shown decreases in anxiety and depression scores among children immediately after they participated in these programs [33][34][35]. ...
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This study assessed the effects of a 12-week afterschool mindfulness-based diet and exercise intervention on mental and physical health in Latinx and Black youth. One hundred forty-eight boys and girls (average age = 10.1 years, SD = 1.3 years; 52% girls; 72.3% Latinx) were randomized to either the experimental group (n = 80) or the control group (n = 68). The experimental group participants engaged in fitness yoga, kickboxing, and/or spinning sessions, and mindfulness practices (e.g., breathing, meditation, and mindful eating) twice per week for 12 weeks. The control group participants engaged in a recreational play session once per week for 12 weeks. All participants completed surveys (demographics, acculturation, anxiety, emotional eating, sleep, and food intake) and had their height, weight, and percent body fat measured pre- and post-intervention. Participants wore an accelerometer for 7 days pre- and post-intervention. Repeated measures analysis of covariance indicated that the experimental group participants reported lower scores in emotional eating, anxiety, and sleep latency post-intervention compared to the control group participants. Conversely, no significant differences were observed in physical activity between the experimental and control group participants post-intervention. These findings indicate that a mindfulness-based intervention has a positive effect on emotional eating, anxiety, and sleep latency among youth of color.
... In recent decades, a conspicuous interest has been shown by younger researchers in introducing and using the practice of yoga in educational institutions (1). This practice is conceived as an innovative and effective method capable of developing in children and adolescents certain essential psychological and physical capacities when facing the diversities of daily life: managing emotions, concentration capacity, strengthening physical health, behavioral skills, among others (2). Yoga has been described as an appropriate exercise for improving physical health, with extensive physiological and physical benefits derived from its practice, such as improving body composition, reducing blood pressure and heart rate, modulating the autonomic nervous system, as well as an improvement in the physical capacities of muscular strength, cardiorespiratory capacity, flexibility, balance and coordination (3)(4)(5). ...
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Yoga has proven to be an effective exercise to prevent physical and mental illnesses from the early stages of growth, thus improving the health of children and adolescents, and, therefore, the health of adults. This study aimed to find out the degree of judgment and understanding by adolescent students about the practice of yoga, as well as their perspective on the inclusion of yoga in education. An anonymous survey was conducted on 269 participants in different institutes in Andalusia (Spain). The knowledge on the part of the adolescent student students about yoga is very limited. However, the students considered the practice of yoga to be relevant, either as an optional or curricular subject, so that, despite the lack of knowledge of the adolescent students about yoga in general, there was a degree of awareness in favor of this activity in improving education.
... En las últimas décadas, se ha mostrado un conspicuo interés por parte de los investigadores más jóvenes en introducir y usar la práctica del yoga en las instituciones educativas (1). Esta práctica se concibe como un método innovador y eficaz capaz de desarrollar en niños y adolescentes ciertas capacidades psicológicas y físicas imprescindibles a la hora de enfrentarse a las diversidades de la vida cotidiana: gestión de emociones, capacidad de concentración, fortalecimiento de la salud física, habilidades de comportamiento, entre otras (2). El yoga se ha descrito como un ejercicio adecuado para la mejora de la salud física, siendo amplios los beneficios fisiológicos y físicos derivados de su práctica, como la mejora de la composición corporal, reducción de la tensión arterial y frecuencia cardíaca, modulación del sistema autónomo nervioso, así como una mejora de las capacidades físicas de fuerza muscular, capacidad cardiorrespiratoria, flexibilidad, equilibrio y coordinación (3)(4)(5). ...
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El yoga ha demostrado ser un ejercicio efectivo para evitar enfermedades físicas y mentales desde las primeras etapas del crecimiento, mejorando, por tanto, la salud de los niños y adolescentes, y, por ende, la salud del adulto. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo conocer el grado de juicio y comprensión por parte de alumnado adolescente sobre la práctica del yoga, así como la perspectiva de estos, sobre la inclusión del yoga en la educación. Se realizó una encuesta anónima a 269 participantes en diferentes institutos de Andalucía (España). El conocimiento por parte de los alumnos adolescentes estudiantes sobre el yoga es muy limitado. Sin embargo, el alumnado consideró relevante la práctica del yoga bien como asignatura optativa o curricular, por lo que, aún el desconocimiento del alumnado adolescente sobre el yoga en general, existió un grado de consciencia en favor de esta actividad en la mejora de la educación.
... The majority of empirical studies focused on children, and adolescents suggest yoga remains beneficial as a therapeutic intervention with very few adverse effects (Bazzano, Anderson, Hyton, & Gustat, 2018;Cook-Cottone, Giambrone, & Klein, 2018;Cooper Stapp & Wolff, 2019;Eggleston, 2015;Rashedi et al., 2019;Velásquez, Lopez, Quinonez, & Paba, 2015). Benefits include a strong, and flexible body, a balanced autonomic nervous system with all physiological systems, and a calm, and relaxed body (Kaley-Isley, Peterson, Fischer, & Peterson, 2010). ...
Article
Currently, little is known about the lived experiences of children who participate in yoga, particularly using their own words. This study provides insights into how young children aged 6 to 10 years old were able to understand their bodies within a yoga space. The purpose of this study was to investigate young children’s lived experiences of yoga through qualitative interviews. Parents of children engaged in yoga were also interviewed to gain a sense of their point of view about the experiences of yoga for their children. Results indicated yoga had assisted children to find, and express joy, and fun by moving their bodies into different shapes. The physical and psychological difficulty of some of the yoga shapes assisted children to develop a persistent mind-set which enabled them to transfer knowledge to different contexts, such as difficulties at school, and finding ways to relax, and be with themselves. Yoga as an activity after-school develops strategies such as resilience, and assists in other contexts such as school, and family. The parents’ described how they were looking for techniques to help calm their children, and how challenging this was with the constant stimulation of everyday activities. The findings suggest that yoga may have a place in the school curriculum for the purpose of teaching students’ simple coping skills when experiencing feelings of stress, and anxiety, and assist with controlling their behavior.
... Changing the classroom environment to include yoga and breathing and relaxation techniques can decrease stress levels or the perceived stress levels of children in the classroom, as seen in the previous study. [12] A study that showed the positive effects of relaxation training of children on both physiological markers (blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature) and self-reported mood and somatic condition could be a mechanism. [13] Decreasing anxiety levels in children can further improve the classroom environment, by preventing chaos, decreasing noise volumes, and increasing time ability to focus. ...
Article
Background: Disadvantaged youth in the United States are disproportionately likely to be more sedentary and obese and experience more stress than their counterparts with higher socioeconomic status. Yoga and breathing and relaxation techniques have positive effects on stress levels, physical activity levels, and behavior of school‑aged children. Aims: Using social cognitive theory to examine behavioral, personal, and environmental factors, the purpose of this pilot study was to examine the multilevel influences of a yoga‑based classroom intervention on urban youth. Methods: Using a mixed methodological quasi‑experimental design, this pilot study included the third grade students (n = 40) at one urban elementary school. A survey contained stress, yoga behavior, and aggression scales. In addition, individual student interviews, a teacher interview, and classroom observations were conducted. Results: Paired and independent sample t‑tests showed pre/post differences in yoga participation both in and out of school for the intervention participants (p < 0.01). Qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: (1) increased use and enjoyment of yoga techniques, (2) behavioral changes both in/out of school, and (3) impact on personal factors. Conclusions: Findings suggest that urban classrooms should include yoga and mindfulness training as it contributes to daily student PA and also can be stress relieving, fun, calming, and easy to perform outside of school.
... 34 Studies with children have used the PSS, but it is yet to be statistically validated in children. 25,[35][36][37][38] Yoga and meditation questionnaire ...
Article
Objective: Problems with attention and stress are common in children and predict academic difficulties and other behavioral and emotional problems. Mind-body interventions such as yoga and meditation improve attention and reduce stress. In this study, we examined the impact of Hatha yoga on attention and stress in ninth graders. Design: A total of 174 ninth graders from a Texas high school were enrolled in the study. Teachers assigned students to a yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) based on their class schedule. The YG participated in 25-min Hatha yoga classes twice weekly over 12 weeks (n = 123). The CG included 51 students. Student self-reports on measures of inattention and hyperactivity (the strengths and weaknesses of ADHD [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder] symptoms and normal behavior rating scale for ADHD) and stress (perceived stress scale) were obtained at baseline and at 12 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline levels of inattention (p = 0.86), hyperactivity (p = 0.25), and perceived stress (p = 0.28) between the YG and CG. Regarding inattention scores, there was a significant interaction of group and time (b = -1.09, standard error [SE] = 0.30, p < 0.001). Pairwise t-tests showed a significant reduction in inattention for the YG (d = 0.27) but a significant increase in inattention for the CG. Regarding hyperactivity, there was no significant interaction of group and time (b = -0.43, SE = 0.26, p = 0.1). Pairwise t-tests demonstrated a significant reduction in hyperactivity for the YG (d = 0.22), but not the CG. The interaction of group and time was not significant in predicting the slope of change in perceived distress (b = -0.93, SE = 1.19, p = 0.43). Pairwise t-tests did not show a significant reduction in perceived distress for either group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that Hatha yoga may improve attention and hyperactivity in high school students.
... Researchers from medicine and public health disciplines have assessed the usefulness and benefits of yoga for children in school settings [4]. The benefits included improved psychological well-being, reduced rates of being overweight or obese, children being calmer and more attentive, more at ease, and completing assigned tasks successfully. ...
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Pre-teen children face stressors related to their transition from childhood to adolescence, with a simultaneous increase in academic pressure. The present study compared the immediate effects of 18 min of (i) high frequency yoga breathing with (ii) yoga-based breath awareness and (iii) sitting quietly, on (a) attention and (b) anxiety, in 61 pre-teen children (aged between 11 and 12 years; 25 girls). Attention was assessed using a six letter cancellation task and Spielberger’s State Trait Anxiety Inventory STAI-S was used to measure anxiety before and after the three practices, practiced on separate days. Repeated measures ANOVA, followed by Bonferroni adjusted post-hoc analyses showed an increase in total attempts and net scores after high frequency yoga breathing (p < 0.05), while wrong attempts increased after yoga based breath awareness (p < 0.05). Anxiety decreased comparably after all three interventions. The 25 girls in the group had the same trend of results as the whole group with respect to the attention-based cancellation task, while boys showed no, how since change. For both girls and boys, anxiety decreased after all three 18min interventions. The results suggest that high frequency yoga breathing could be a short, useful school based practice to improve attention and reduce anxiety.
Article
Quality physical education programs in public schools have the potential to impact healthy living habits among students. There is an increased interest in schools to create a climate that is more emotionally supportive in decreasing psychological stressors. Teaching students coping mechanisms and the importance of breath work through yoga is an excellent approach for students. Living a physically active lifestyle can have many benefits for anyone, regardless the age, race or gender. The purpose of this article is to highlight the existing knowledge base on the benefits of yoga lessons in order to motivate physical educators to consider integrating this activity in school programs.
Article
School-based yoga programmes have been implemented in schools across the United States with promising results. However, the majority of research on yoga programmes has occurred within the K-12 setting. Much less is known about the benefits of yoga with young children. The current body of research on yoga and young children has been quantitative and aimed at measurable results. Conversely, the purpose of this study was to investigate young children’s experiences with yoga through a qualitative approach. Observations of yoga classes and group interviews with 34 preschool children were conducted. Participants were encouraged to be active agents in the research through language, creative art, and movement. This became data for qualitative analysis to ‘visualize children’s voice’. The findings indicated that children’s perceptions of yoga were overwhelmingly positive and that they would continue yoga if given the opportunity.
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