Academic pressures and social challenges have been dominant in the lives of highschool students. In schools the inclusion of yoga for students improves both physical and mental well being. Across the states yoga is gaining traction as its effectiveness on wellness, focus, emotional health, and confidence.
Once seen as an adult practice, yoga is being practiced by younger generations such as high school students increasingly more compared to past years. Harvard Health says that the number of teens practicing yoga in the U.S increased from 400,000 in 2007 to 1.7 million in 2012. Now data has shown that over 34 million young adults are using yoga. This increase in popularity recognizes how beneficial yoga can be for students.
Ida B. Wells and other schools have begun to incorporate yoga into their curriculum as a class. And some have used other class times for a short yoga break during transition times that involve breathing exercises and or a few poses. These short breaks help students manage stress, focus ability, and improve their sense of well being from being present in the moment.
Numerous studies support yoga’s benefits for students. The National Institute of Health states, “A yoga program might help children recover their self esteem and confidence, restore their mental health, promote positive attitudes, improve concentration, and reduce stress and anxiety.” These health benefits are valuable for students who experience the challenge of modern education, where mental health is a major concern.
Yoga is not only useful at school but outside of school. An article from Yoga Renew claimed a study found that high school students who practiced yoga for at least 40 minutes, three times a week, over a course of 16 weeks showed significant improvement in their ability to regulate emotions compared to an average P.E course that students take. The same study also found that, “One of the most immediate and clear benefits of yoga is that it gives students the ability to develop self regulation skills, allowing them to monitor and adapt their emotions, behavior, and attention.
Incorporating yoga into school life addresses more than physical fitness. The National Institutes of Health says, “Yoga programs in school settings have been shown to benefit children and adolescents,” helping them build the confidence and emotional strength that they need to thrive in today’s world. As academic and social pressures continue to increase for high school students, yoga is a place for mental clarity and emotional stability for the struggles that they may face.
