Studies Suggest Yoga in Schools has Beneficial Effects

    An article published in The International Journal of Yoga Therapy in 2012 has suggested that having yoga in schools is beneficial for children.

    In "Yoga in the Schools: A Systematic Review of the Literature", the authors reviewed studies that had been conducted at schools, both for typically and atypically developing school-age (ages 5-21) children.  This kind of article is called a meta-analysis because it analyzes current research on a particular subject.  They conclude

Positive results appeared to be associated with participation in a yoga program.  In particular, children diagnosed with autism evidenced reduced stress and lowered pulse rate, and those with intellectual disabilities demonstrated elevations in IQ ratings and social adaptation scores.  Children with emotional, behavioral, and learning problems were rated as exhibiting greater self- and social confidence and improved communication and contribution in the classroom.  Those with severe educational problems illustrated improvements in attention and concentration following a yoga intervention.*

Children who were typically developing also displayed positive effects.  With "decreased body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and negative behavior" detected.

    While these are promising results, the authors note that more work has to be done before we can draw definitive conclusions.  Some of the studies have methodological limitations, such as small sample size and lack of randomization or statistical rigor.  Though research in yoga is emerging, we still have a long way to go in proving the many anecdotal beneficial effects we may observe in our own practices.

    What kinds of yoga studies would you be interested in reading about?


*Serwacki, M.L., & Cook-Cottone, C. (2012).  Yoga in the Schools: A Systematic Review of the Literature.  International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 22, 101-109.