The Benefits of Yoga for Children in Schools

​

Children derive enormous benefits from yoga & mindfulness

​

Through yoga practice, children are explicitly taught about what is happening to their bodies which empowers them to become healthy, active participants in managing their own bodies. To learn more about the effects of yoga (including scholarly and scientific articles) click below. As a science, yoga is a non-religious, systematic process that has been practiced for thousands of years and uses tried and tested methods to develop the mental and physical health of its participants. 

​

Articles on the Effects of Yoga:

• http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/supporting-research

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3980104

• http://www.yoga4classrooms.com/yoga-4-classrooms-blog/scientific-evidence-for-yoga-and-mindfulness-in-schools-how-and-why-does-it-work 

Here’s why all children should practise yoga:

 

• Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness

• Yoga is a non competitive physical activity that encourages children to work with their own body, at their own pace

• Physically it enhances their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness 

• Mentally their concentration and sense of calmness and relaxation improves

• Children get to exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them

• Healthier bodies through poses that stretch, strengthen and build coordination

• Yoga increases flexibility and blood flow, which helps reduce the risk of injury during other activities

• Controlled breathing techniques work wonders for stress and anxiety, helping to give children a sense of calm and reassurance. If kids can understand how to use their breathing to reduce stress and gain control when they feel anxious, they can use these techniques whenever they need reassurance

• Yoga boosts brain chemicals that promote a sense of well-being like serotonin and dopamine; the happy chemicals responsible for feelings of relaxation and contentment

• Yoga stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming us down. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system starts the process of restoration and healing in the body. As yoga calms the fight or flight response, it’s an effective practice for children to help them calm down and be less reactive in difficult situations. So instead of lashing out in anger on the playground, a student might take a deep breath and walk away

• Modern-day science confirms that yoga helps build stronger bones and improves brain function and immunity, as well as it increases the nervous system’s functioning and strength.  It thickens the layers of the cerebral cortex, the part of the brain associated with higher learning, and increases neuroplasticity, which helps children learn new things and change the way they do things

• Research also suggests that school-based yoga has the ability to improve academic achievement and classroom behaviour. In addition, yoga-based physical fitness can result in numerous positive outcomes including improved mood and enhanced cognitive performance.

​

If you are interested in bringing yoga into your school’s curriculum please contact us on info@kidsloveyoga.org.uk 

 

 

Find out more about our Curriculum Based Yoga & Mindfulness Offerings:

Yoga and Mindfulness as part of your School’s Curriculum Offering
Shaping Healthy Minds, Yoga & Mindfulness within the Curriculum
How your School can Fund Yoga and Mindfulness
Children and Teachers Love our Sessions!
Sign our Petition to Improve Emotional Well-Being in Schools

​

​