Yoga Research: Reducing Stress for Children Through Yoga
Blyta, A., Bytyqi, M., Gordon, J., & Staples, J. (2004). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in Postwar Kosovo high school students using mind-body skills groups: A Pilot Study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17(2), 143-147.
http://www.cmbm.org/downloads/KOSOVO_PTSD_HS_STUDENTS.pdf
Children and adolescents exposed to the war in the Balkans often lost one or both parents. Ethnic violence was also present and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was widely reported. Treatment approaches were sought to offer support, education, and stress management. 139 students in Kosovo participated in a six week program that included breathing techniques, meditation, biofeedback, drawing, guided imagery, autogenic training, and movement. Yoga is a comparable mind-body treatment because of its ability for practice of slow deep diaphragmatic breathing, movement and muscle relaxation. Participation in the mind-body skills group was shown to reduce PTSD symptoms.
Ehud, M., An, B.-D. , & Avshalom, S. (2010). Here and now: Yoga in Israeli schools. International Journal of Yoga, 3(2), 42. Retrieved from Academic OneFile via Gale.
After the Second Lebanon War, a project was put in place to assess the impact of yoga on school children in a post-war region. The study consisted of 122 school children aged 8-12 in two elementary schools. A questionnaire was distributed to the children before and after the project. The asana and pranayama yoga sessions were incorporated into the regular school schedule. 90% of children wished to continue yoga as part of the school day. The study concluded that yoga is beneficial for children living in postwar conditions to reduce stress.
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Research articles on yoga and children by category:
Reducing Stress for Children through Yoga
Yoga & Children with Special Needs
Yoga & Pediatric Health
Yoga Programs for Children & Misc.
Yoga Wellness & Relaxation for Children
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