Yoga Research: Yoga Programs & Miscellaneous
Augenstein, S. (2003). Yoga for children in primary school – An empirical study. Journal for Meditation and Meditation Research, 3, 27-44.
A training program using the principles of Hatha Yoga was evaluated in Germany, utilizing 5 to 10 year old schoolchildren. The study spanned one academic year, taking place at primary schools in Berlin and Düsseldorf. One group received yogic training, while another group received other psychomotor exercises. Results from a questionnaire showed that the children enjoyed yoga and wanted yoga to be offered again. Performance scores also showed an increase in class levels of concentration and improved social behavior.
Berger D., Silver E., Stein R. (2009). Effects of yoga on inner-city children’s well-being: a pilot study. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 15(5), 36–42.
Fourth and fifth grade students in the Bronx, New York attended after school yoga programs for one hour a week for twelve weeks. There was also a control group that did not offer yoga. Results showed that the children in the yoga group showed increased well-being, enhanced self-worth, and fewer negative behaviors were reported in response to stress.
Bray M., Kehle T., Peck H., Theodore L. (2005). Yoga as an intervention for children with attention problems. School Psychology Review, 34(3), 415–424.
http://www.yogaed.com/pdfs/yoga_intervention_child_atten.pdf
Ten elementary students aged 6 to 10 were recruited by a school psychologist who been consulted by teachers due to the students’ attention problems. Students were shown a yoga videotape and followed along with an instructor. Results show that yoga is a promising complementary treatment for children with ADHD and other attention disorders. It has the potential to be implemented in small groups in a school counselor’s office or in an entire classroom. The findings showed improvement in concentration, reduction of anxiety, and positive student attitudes after yoga sessions.
Case-Smith, J., Klatt, M. & Sines, J. (2010) Perceptions of children who participated in a school-based yoga program. Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, 3(3), 226-238.
Twenty-one third grade students from a low-income, urban neighborhood participated in a yoga program intended to reduce stress and improve behavior. Sessions included slow breathing, meditation, and poses. Students were interviewed after the study and expressed feelings of calm, had more focus, found easier methods to control behavior, and had better self-esteem. The study suggests that yoga programs through schools may help students participate more in class and help prevent behavioral problems.
Flisek, Lidia (2001) Teaching Yoga to Young School Children. Postive Health, 70, 50-54.
Author discusses the results of a 21 week yoga program for children. Included are aspects on posture awareness, movement, relaxation, and stress. Specific case studies and quotes from the kids make this a lively and personalized narrative.
Gilchrist, M., Powell, L. & Stapley, J. (2008). A journey of self-discovery: an intervention involving massage, yoga and relaxation for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties attending primary schools. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 13(3), 193–199.
Fifty-three European schoolchildren aged 8 to 11 years participated in the self-discovery program. There was also an age-matched control group. The program spanned twelve weeks, with 45 minute sessions once a week. Primary themes included sensory awareness, relaxation, breathing work, communication, touch therapy and yoga. Results indicated improved communication, self-confidence, social confidence, and contributions in class from participants.
Goldberg, L. (2004). Creative Relaxation SM : A Yoga-based program for regular and exceptional student education. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 14, 68-78.
Creative Relaxation is a yoga-based program that focuses on strengthening, stretching, controlling breathing, quieting the mind, and calming the body. Its principles include creating a sacred space, engaging the student, providing tools for success, and creating opportunities for independence. A sample of its success is provided when Goldberg collaborated with teachers to evaluate a relaxation program for autistic children for an eight week study. Results show an increase in participant self-control and focus.
Manjunath N. & Telles S. (2004). Spatial and verbal memory test scores following yoga and fine arts camps for school children. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 48 (3), 353-356. http://www.ijpp.com/vol48_3/vol48_no3_orgnl_11.pdf
In Bangalore, India children aged 11 to 16 were given verbal and spatial memory tests. One group of children attended a yoga camp and another group attended a fine arts camp. There was also a control group that did not attend any camp. The children who practiced yoga learned postures, meditation, breathing techniques, internal cleansing, guided relaxation, games, and the telling of meaningful stories to foster the values of yoga. Children at the fine arts camp learned drama, played games, danced, sang, painted, and had other creative activities. The participants were assessed on Day 1 and Day 10 of the study. Analysis showed that the yoga group showed an increase in spatial memory scores, while verbal memory showed no change in all groups. The study suggests that yoga improves the recall of information.
McCabe, K. (2009). The effects of yoga on symptoms associated with conduct disorder with callous unemotional traits as a moderator. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida.
http://etd.library.miami.edu/theses/available/etd-12052009-080915/unrestricted/kmccabeF09.pdf
This comprehensive thesis spans 97 pages and includes a review of literature for conduct disorders and yoga, rationale for the study, a variety of measures to analyze data, a discussion of the results, and appendixes which include the yoga protocol. Participants were 14 to 18 year old adolescents from the southeastern United States. Coordinated with Bay Point school system, most of the adolescents were court ordered to a behavior program where typical length of stay for the boys averaged 6 months. Three 60-minute yoga classes were held weekly for 4 weeks. Sessions included breathing, physical, and relaxation exercises. There was also a control group that met for study hall. Results showed a decrease in Worry scores and anxiety. However, the researcher was surprised that depression scores did not significantly decrease.
Myers, H., Sternlieb, B., Woolery, A. & Zeltzer, L. (2004). Yoga intervention for young adults with elevated symptoms of depression. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, 10(2), 60-63.
http://www.thaicam.go.th/attachments/380_R2010062810.pdf
Twenty-eight volunteers aged 18 to 29 with symptoms of mild depression practiced lyengar yoga to assess its effects on participant moods. A control group was also utilized. The yoga group practiced one hour yoga sessions twice a week for five weeks. Back bends, standing poses, and inversions were emphasized, with the exception of the inversions for menstruating participants. From the lyengar yoga perspective the aforementioned concentrations help to alleviate depression. Participants also submitted saliva for testing to measure cortisol levels. Higher levels were noted in the morning for the yoga group after completing sessions, which could indicate higher self-esteem. Results showed reduction in depression symptoms, particularly in relation to mood disturbances.
Nagarathna, R., Nagendra, H., Naveen, K., & Telles, S. (1997). Yoga breathing through a particular nostril increases spatial memory scores without lateralized effects. Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation. http://www.vivekanandayoga.com/research_papers/19970717_ybtpnismswle.pdf
Schoolchildren in Bangalore, India ranging in age from 10 to 17 were given verbal and spatial memory tests after practicing uni-nostril breathing at a residential yoga training camp. 108 children were divided into four groups and practiced either right-nostril breathing, left nostril breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and breath awareness without nostril manipulation for 10 days. Results showed an 84 percent increase in spatial memory scores rather than verbal scores. While there appeared to be no significant difference between breathing through one nostril or the other, the act of focusing on the breathing through the yoga techniques yielded increased memory scores.
Ristuccia, Christine, Ristuccia, James, Gretsch, Amanda (2011) Yoga, kids and OT. Advance for Occupational Therapy Practitioners, 27 (6), 25-29
Brief overview on the benefits of yoga for children in need of occupational therapy (OT). OT is a broad umbrella which usually includes children with sensory issues, autism, social and pragmatic skill deficiencies. Yoga, the authors (founders of Addriya) posit is beneficial in aiding children with such needs because it allows children to relax and learn more efficiently.
Rosanova, M.J. (2004). Yoga classes in a montessori environment: Some Ideas, Some Tips, Some Thoughts About Normalization and Discipline. Montessori Life, 3(3), 42-43. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4097/is_200407/ai_n9456103/
For a developmentally appropriate yoga program to succeed in a Montessori environment, the author provides examples for classroom success. Individual work rugs are recommended for children to provide a defined workspace as well as individual work cards with postures to allow for the children to practice outside of class. It is recommended that focused students give presentations to children not enrolled in yoga to encourage future enrollment in yoga classes. It is also recommended that poses should be broken down and it is recommended that standing poses be introduced later in the sessions because of the challenges they present.
Robold, L. (2002). Yoga and emotional healing for aggressive youth. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 12, 81-88.
When she worked with emotionally impaired adolescents, Robold broke up the yoga therapy sessions into eight parts. Grounding created a safe space for the child, Rooting provided a steady foundation, Connections was a time for breath focusing, Asana took place next with poses, Focus took place during poses, Breathing practice occurred again to balance the nervous system, Relaxation allowed the practitioner to guide the children in meditation, and Closure allowed the children to share their experiences with the group. The latter step distinguished Robold’s technique as a yoga therapy, which elicited positive results for participants.
Sines, J. (2009). The perceptions of children following participation in a yoga and mindfulness program: A qualitative study. Unpublished thesis for Graduate Program in Allied Medicine, Ohio State University.
http://etd.ohiolink.edu/send-pdf.cgi/Sines%20Julie%20Shupe.pdf?osu1250100959
This sixty-two page thesis evaluates 10 second grade children with attention difficulties. They received 45 minutes of yoga and mindfulness activities for once a week for six weeks. Twenty-one children in total participated in the focus groups. Sines points out that children have been under more stress and that it affects their ability in the classroom. Children also have less physical activity during the day. Mindfulness training coupled with yoga assists in decreased test anxiety levels. Children were also able to identify how yoga helped them and transferred those techniques outside of the classroom. Teacher interviews indicated that classroom focus and concentration improved.
White, Laura S. (2009) Yoga for Children, Pediatric Nursing, September-October 2009, Vol. 35, Number 5.
A really good in-depth look at the benefits of yoga for children. A description of the philosophical basis of yoga, the basic components of a yoga practice, safety concerns, and how to locate and evaluate a yoga program for children is included.
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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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