Yoga Research: Yoga Wellness & Relaxation for Children
Yoga Wellness & Relaxation for Children
Breiter, K., Enke, J., Hartwig, K., Kühn, J., Reschke, K., Stück, M. & Tanjour, I. (2002). Children’s relaxation training program using elements of yoga and imagery: Practical application and first evaluation of a curriculum: A train the trainer study. Journal for Meditation and Meditation Research, 2, 2-13.
http://www.biodanza-online.com/med_research_2002.pdf
The stress management program for children consisted of 15 meetings, with each session having a relaxation portion and yoga exercises, followed by a ‘game’ portion which encouraged social interaction. Each child was encouraged to master the asana yoga technique for self-relaxation to encourage independent practice. This study examined how trainers were educated for that curriculum. Sixty instructors submitted data through feedback questionnaires and telephone interviews. Results showed that the instructors found the manual and curriculum helpful. An eight month follow-up found that half of the instructors applied aspects of the program for self-relaxation and incorporated other aspects into their profession. It was determined that the yoga curriculum can be integrated into a variety of settings and that trained instructors are a vital part of a child’s development for the yoga sessions.
Gloeckner, N. & Stück, M. (2005). Yoga for children in the mirror of the science: working spectrum and practice fields of the training of relaxation with elements of yoga for children. Early Child Development and Care, 175(4), 371-377.
http://www.katrinadurocher.com/files/yoga_for_children.pdf
48 students in the fifth grade with abnormal test anxiety were selected for evaluation. Fifteen meetings, lasting 60 minutes in length included relaxation to prepare for the yoga, followed by yoga exercises and a ‘game’ portion encouraging social contact that also included sensory exercises, meditation, and massage. Results indicated that students appreciated the yoga and general well-being was improved. Aggressive feelings, negative feelings and anxiety levels were also reduced.
Hanumanthaih, B., Nagarathna, R., Nagendra, H. & Telles, S. Improvement in static motor performance following yogic training of schoolchildren. Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation.
http://www.vivekanandayoga.com/research_papers/19930322_ismpytsc.pdf
Ninety children ranging in ages 9 to 13 in Bangalore, India were evaluated on hand steadiness. The testing took place at the beginning and the end of the day. The children were divided into two equal groups, with one group to practice yoga while the other acted as a control group. The children who practiced yoga trained for ten days, eight hours a day. Results showed that the yoga participants did better on the test than the control group participants. It is suggested that the physical postures might have improved eye-hand coordination and the spatial visual exercises might have improved concentration.
Manjunath N. & Telles S. (1999). Improvement in visual perceptual sensitivity in children following yoga training. Journal of Indian Psychology, 17(2), 41–45.
http://www.vivekanandayoga.com/research_papers/19990101_ivpscfyt.pdf
Fourteen children ranging in ages from 12 to 17 in Bangalore, India received yoga training, while fourteen other children acted as a control group carrying on with regular activities. The yoga group attended a ten day residential yoga camp where they received training for eight hours a day for ten days in posture, breathing, and meditation techniques. Both groups received assessments on day one and day ten to test visual perceptual sensitivity. Results showed an increase in critical flicker fusion frequency for the yoga group and overall visual perception.
Nagarathna, R., Nagendra, H., Narendran, S., Raghuraj, P. & Telles, S. ( 1997). Comparison of changes in autonomic and respiratory parameters of girls after yoga and games at a community home. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 84, 251-257.
http://www.libraryofyoga.com/bitstream/handle/123456789/66/II.1997.19.pdf?sequence=1
The first part of the study examined the relationship between heart rate, skin resistance, breath rate & patterns between community home girls and girls who attended regular school between the ages of 12-16 in Bangalore, India. Yoga and various games were introduced to community home girls for the first time and their effects were studied as the second part of the study. The games meant to increase physical activity while yoga was intended to increase emphasize relaxation with awareness. It was determined that subjective feelings of well being increased over a period of six months suggesting that a yoga program partnered with physical activity may be part of a beneficial routine for children in a community home environment.
Raghuraj P. & Telles S. (1997). Muscle power, dexterity skill and visual perception in community home girls trained in yoga or sports and in regular school girls. Indian Journal of Physiology Pharmacology, 41(4), 409–415 http://www.vivekanandayoga.com/research_papers/19960315_mpdsvpchgysrsg.pdf
Eighty girls between the ages of 12 to 16 in a state-community home practiced yoga for six months. Yoga techniques included 50 minutes of yogasana postures and 10 minute relaxation shavasanas. Results indicated a decrease in stress through lower respiratory and heart rates. There was also physical activity training and other games such as relay races that spanned 60 minutes during the day. The study primarily tested grip strength, tweezer dexterity, critical flicker fusion frequency and degree of optical illusion. While more data would be needed to draw definitive conclusions, yoga modifies the effect of sensory perception and improves motor skills of community-home girls that live in a high stress environment. The study location was in Bangalore, India.
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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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