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- Strength
- Confidence
- Flexibility
- Academic Performance
- Increased self-esteem
- Concentration
- Emotional Balance
- Decrease in behavioral problems
- Build relationships

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There are several different websites that I came across that offer some level of teacher training. This training shows teachers...

How to deal with questions from parents

How to work with a child who prefers not to participate

How to set up the classroom for yoga

Practicing outdoors vs. indoors

Sequencing

How to fit yoga into an already overcrowded and demanding schedule

expandinglight.org and yoga4classrooms.com

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DesMoins, Iowa

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Yoga improves self-regulation and academic achievement in inner city school

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Learn more at www.yoga4classrooms.com Edmunds Elementary is an inner city school in Des Moines, IA where the student population is 95% minority with over 60% English Language Learners. When School Principal, Jaynette Rittman, started at Edmunds three years ago, she found that the students were extremely dysregulated despite the positive behavior intervention systems and social and emotional skill building programs they had in place.

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I decided to include this article to show the relevance of this debate. Yoga in schools has made headlines and raised many questions among parents regarding religion and 'wasting time'. To address the religion question the article states that, "although yoga is not a religion in and of itself, it is a philosophy, rooted in Hinduism." This causes some concern among parents who may view Yoga as a form of prayer/worship against their personal religion or beliefs.

In the CNN article, a mother states her view on Yoga for children. "As a mother who has done yoga with all three of my children, the youngest of whom is on the autism spectrum, I can attest to the myriad benefits, ranging from physical advantages like improved sport performance and posture to profoundly valuable mental skills like self-control and the ability to manage stress." The benefits for children on the autism spectrum, as well as all other students seems cut and dry.

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Most recently, the issue was raised by parents in Georgia whose children attend an elementary school that implemented yoga in the classroom. Although yoga is not a religion in and of itself, it is a philosophy, rooted in Hinduism, composed of a system of various practices designed to heighten spirituality.

However, what the concerned parents probably don't realize is that the popular Americanized version of yoga being taught in schools is a secular form of mind-body exercise focused on mental and physical benefits, not spirituality.

In 2013, a judge in Encinitas, California, ruled against a suit initiated by parents seeking to end a yoga program at their children's school, stating that the school was not teaching religion through its yoga classes.

I agree with the judge. When children do yoga, they aren't practicing religion; they are training life-enhancing abilities that can positively impact every child, regardless of faith. According to a 2012 study published in The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, middle-school students taking yoga reported positive mood and attitude changes, increased energy and improved ability to relax, as well as improved posture.

As a mother who has done yoga with all three of my children, the youngest of whom is on the autism spectrum, I can attest to the myriad benefits, ranging from physical advantages like improved sport performance and posture to profoundly valuable mental skills like self-control and the ability to manage stress.

Below, I've outlined my top three reasons why and ways how yoga should be taught in schools. Although the exercises I've shared are most appropriate for preschool through preteen, yoga-based practices for better breathing, movement and mindfulness can and should be adapted for any age group.

Teaching breathing as fundamental to well-being

Everyone agrees that breathing is fundamental to life. No breathing, no living. However, how to breathe to the best of our ability is rarely, if ever, taught to any of us, despite the fact that, through exposure to illness or stress, most of us develop less-than-optimal breathing patterns that can adversely affect our overall well-being. How we breathe not only affects our movement and posture, it is crucial to our ability to manage stress.

When I work with pro athletes on breathing and they quickly realize the significant benefits, their first response is usually to ask, "Why didn't anyone teach me this sooner?!" I understand their frustration. That's why I've developed the following exercises to teach children the basics of breathing biomechanics and how to leverage their breathing during times of stress.

"Rib riding" diaphragmatic breathing: Teaches and reinforces proper breathing biomechanics

Have kids sit comfortably on the floor or in chairs and place their hands on their lower ribs. Ask them to breathe in and out through their noses while their hands "ride" the corresponding movement of their ribs. Explain that inhalations should fill their lungs, like balloons under their ribs, making their hands expand out with their ribcage. When they exhale, the balloons deflate, and their hands should ride their ribs back in and down. Repeat in sets of five breaths three times.

Peace palm exhaling: Reduces stress; helps kids manage sensory and/or emotionally overwhelming experiences

I developed this exercise specifically for my son with Asperger's syndrome. It's very effective for children prone to panic attacks or tantrums. By practicing regularly, children can learn do it on their own when facing an overwhelming episode.

From sitting or standing, position your open palm about 6 inches in front of the child's face. Ask the child to blow into your hand while you count. The goal is to get to an eight count (or longer) exhale at least five times in a row, which will stop hyperventilation and stimulate the parasympathetic (rest and restore) nervous system to decrease heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormone production. Be patient and encouraging.

Helping kids move with control and confidence

Unfortunately, physical education classes in school are increasingly limited, despite the fact that more than a third of American children are overweight or obese, and most time in school is spent being sedentary. In response, some schools are instituting standing desks and placing more emphasis on athletics. Unfortunately, the "education" aspect is still lost in those initiatives. And, since not all children are athletes, a sports focus can be intimidating for some.

Gray Cook, a renowned physical therapist, author and founder of Functional Movement Systems, is a firm believer in teaching "movement literacy." As such, when it comes to yoga in schools, Cook is a big proponent.

"Yoga doesn't discriminate," Cook said. "Whether an athlete or not, everyone is equally matched in their own bodies during a yoga practice, where the focus is internal. It teaches kids that their physical presence is about more than their ability to compete."

With kids being bombarded on social media with warped messages about body image, there is immense value in a practice that cultivates self-control and respect for your body. Additionally, growing bodies benefit from training their proprioceptive systems for better balance and movement. That's why I like to change up traditionally static yoga poses for kids by adding moving parts, like these examples:

Happy hopping tree balance: Strengthens muscles while enhancing proprioception for better balance, coordination and movement control; promotes smiling

Direct children to balance on one leg with their other foot pressed into the inside of their standing leg, either below or above their knee joint. Don't let them press directly into the side of their knee. Then ask them to reach their arms up or out, like branches, and smile. Once they feel balanced, they can try taking three hops in place, forward and backward.

Dog at the fire hydrant: Strengthens muscles while enhancing proprioception for better balance, coordination and movement control

From hands and knees, have children straighten their legs to push their tailbones up to make an A-frame shape known as downward-facing dog pose in yoga. Tell the kids they can keep their legs bent, if straightening is difficult. Ask them if they've ever seen a dog lifting one leg at a fire hydrant to relieve itself. Tell them they are all dogs who who have had very big drinks of water, so they need to lift and hold one leg up for a count of 10. Giggling usually ensues, which adds to the balance challenge. Ask them to switch legs for another count of 10. You can decrease or increase the count, depending on age and skill.

Promoting the power of mindfulness

In a culture of constant technological stimulation, it's important to teach kids the power of mindfulness. And, with teenagers being the most stressed group of people in the United States when school is in session, learning stress-management techniques is essential. A high school in Marblehead, Massachusetts, is seeing the benefits of a mindfulness meditation initiative it began last year, with many students reporting feeling less anxious and more relaxed.

Mindfulness meditation does not need to be time-consuming or complicated. It's as easy as closing your eyes for a moment and focusing on the sensations of your breath or simply directing your attention to the farthest sounds you can perceive. The exercises below are designed to introduce mindfulness to a younger audience by engaging them in an entertaining visualization that utilizes their imagination to stimulate their senses, before bringing them back to simply tuning in to their breathing in the present moment.

Butterfly flight visualization: Promotes imagination, reduces stress, increases mindfulness

Have children sit on the floor with the soles of their feet together and knees bent out in traditional yoga cobbler's pose, also known as butterfly. Ask them to close their eyes and envision themselves as butterflies, with their bent legs acting as wings in whatever colors they choose. Once they have that image, ask them to begin slowly flapping their wings and imagine being airborne. Have them picture a flower on a bush or tree that they will fly to and land on gently. Direct them to land on and take flight from several flowers, objects, etc. before returning to the ground. Repeat each directive, pausing between instructions to provide processing time. At the conclusion, ask them to return back to their human bodies and tune in to the sensations of their breathing.

Magic carpet meditation: Promotes imagination, reduces stress, increases mindfulness

With children lying on mats or blankets, tell them to close their eyes and relax their bodies, while imagining their mats or blankets transform into "magic carpets." Because magic carpets can travel anywhere in the world, direct them to pick a destination to fly over during the meditation, like the ocean or Disney World. As they "feel" their carpets begin to rise slowly off the floor, they can hold the sides to steady and steer them. Tell them that it takes only one minute to fly through a blue sky and clouds to get there. After a moment, inform them that they are floating above their destination, so they can imagine everything they see, smell, hear and feel. Provide cues by asking questions like, "Is it warm or cold?" and "What can you hear?" Give them a couple of moments to use their imaginations. Direct them back through the same steps. Once they "land," have them take a moment to focus on the sensations of their breath. Then ask them to open their eyes and share their experiences.

Beyond 'Namaste'

Although I've never personally experienced controversy teaching yoga to children, as a yoga trainer in professional sports, I have encountered pushback due to religious implications and other misconceptions. Consequently, some teams prefer to call my sessions "breathing, mobility and meditation" rather than yoga.

As such, I have adapted my teaching in sports to almost entirely avoid hands in prayer position and Sanskrit pose names or Hindu terms, like "Namaste." Instead of symbolic interpretations and semantics, let's focus on what we can all achieve -- regardless of faith or age -- when we practice yoga-based techniques that empower us to live healthier and happier in our minds and bodies.

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the benefits of yoga in schools - cnn.com

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Beyond 'Namaste': The benefits of yoga in schools

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Most recently, the issue was raised by parents in Georgia whose children attend an elementary school that implemented yoga in the classroom. Although yoga is not a religion in and of itself, it is a philosophy, rooted in Hinduism, composed of a system of various practices designed to heighten spirituality.

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Research to Practice: Yoga as an Intervention for Children with Attention Problems

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Research to Practice: Yoga as an Intervention for Children with Attention Problems

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This scholarly article focuses on students with ADD and ADHD. Students who are effected by attention disorders often respond well to interventions. This article explores the use of Yoga as an intervention for those specific students.

"Yoga incorporates physical postures. breath control, mental concentration, and deep relaxation to positively affect mental states (Zipkin, 1985). It produces similar effects as relaxation in that it tends to result in feelings of calmness. Yoga also tends to promote self- control, attention and concentration, self-effi- cacy, body awareness, and stress reduction (Nardo & Reynolds, 2002)."

"The coordination of body movements and stretching in combination with deep breathing improves the body's overall circula- tion. This results in a release of tension as well as increasing levels of blood and oxygen throughout the entire body that in turn affect the central and autonomic nervous systems (Brosnan, 1982; Laivani. 1999)."

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Yoga in the Classroom: K–4 Desk Sequence

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This K-4th grade desk sequence includes seated child pose, seated twist, forward bend with support, and upward mountain.

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Yoga in the Classroom: K–4 Floor Sequence

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Yoga in the Classroom: K–4 Chair Sequence

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Yoga in the Classroom: K–4 Standing Sequence

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1. Yoga Breaks: "Have students take a 5-10 minute yoga break during a transition time such as after lunch, before a test, or first thing in the morning. The yoga break could consist of a breathing exercise to calm, energize, or ignite both sides of the brain. The kids think it’s fun and, even though there will be some silliness at first, they will eventually participate fully without the giggles and funny gestures."
2. Guided Visualization: "works wonderfully before creative writing time. All you have to do is read as the students have their heads on their desk and eyes closed. All they have to do is listen. his practice will help calm anxious students and get their creative juices flowing."

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Yoga teaches us...
- about our bodies
- how to breathe better
- how to use our energy more efficiently
- how to quiet the mind
- about balance
- about how to be the 'boss' of our own bodies
- about how to take care of ourselves

PBS Parents

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"The word “yoga” means “union” in Sanskrit, the ancient language of India. Quite simply, yoga is the “union” or coming together of mind (thoughts and feelings) and physical body. Many people feel an overall sense of well-being when they practice yoga." -PBS Parents

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"The beauty of yoga is that children can practice alone, with a friend or with a group. Many schools are now teaching yoga to young children, and there are many choices of after-school or weekend classes for kids and their families. Everyone can enjoy yoga – from tots to great-grandparents!"

"Professional organizations that focus on children also support the idea behind yoga. For example, The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and The National Association of the Education for Young Children (NAEYC) recommend that children should participate in activities that support the development of the whole child. This is exactly what yoga is about!"

I decided to pull the conclusion that PBS Parents came to when talking about Yoga for kids in the classroom. I am surprised that PBS (a highly recognized resource) has such a positive opinion on Yoga!

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Overall, after reading a ton of articles, testimonials, and professional articles I have come to a conclusion. Yoga in the classroom has too many benefits to not try. It would definitely need to be a conversation before it started with both the district as well as parents to educate them on what the goal of it is and the research that supports Yoga in the classroom. The benefits for kids with attention problems and on the autism spectrum are outstanding. If it allows a student to spend more time in the classroom to develop social skills then it is worth the try for me. Moving our bodies during the day increases focus, confidence, gets the blood pumping, builds relationships, and provides students an outlet.

In my future classroom I would love to give Yoga a try as a focusing activity in the beginning of the day, after recess, before a quiz/MCA's, or even if everyone is just rowdy. I think it could be a great way to bring the class together and focus our minds.

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The Benefits of Yoga for Children:
By Kristin Henningsen, MS
Adjunct Professor, Kaplan University School of Health Sciences

"Childhood is an intense period of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual growth... this results in an elevated heart rate and blood pressure which, over time, contributes to a lowered immune system, low self-esteem, depression, and isolation."

"Research has shown that school curriculums incorporating stress management programs improve academic performance, self-esteem, classroom behaviors, concentration, and emotional balance. In addition, there is a decrease in helplessness, aggression, and behavioral problems of students.

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http://www.pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/sport-and-fitness/why-yoga-and-kids-go-together/

http://www.creativelearningnj.com/benefits-of-yoga-for-kids/

http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/yoga/The%20Benefits%20of%20Yoga%20for%20Children.html

https://yogakids.com/yoga-in-the-classroom-simple-tips-for-integration/

Peck, Heather L., et al. "Yoga as an intervention for children with attention problems." School Psychology Review 34.3 (2005): 415.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/10/health/yoga-in-schools/index.html

http://www.yoga4classrooms.com

https://www.expandinglight.org/free/yoga-teacher/articles/general/yoga-middle-school.php