Yoga in schools
Yoga offers numerous benefits for young people, enhancing their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Active Gloucestershire have supported the introduction of yoga in schools, working with Shift yoga.
Reduced Challenging Behaviour: Yoga helps decrease bullying and disruptive behaviour in classrooms, which can negatively impact academic performance. A study with 7 to 10-year-olds found that a ten-week yoga program led to a self-reported reduction in bullying. Another study implementing a yoga-based social-emotional wellness program saw fewer unexplained absences, detentions, and increased classroom engagement.
Improved Academic Performance: School-based yoga can enhance students’ academic work. For example, a US study with high school students found that those who participated in yoga twice a week for 45 minutes had significantly higher GPAs than those in regular PE classes.
Better Emotional Regulation: Yoga assists children and teenagers in managing their emotions. A randomised control trial with high school students showed significant improvements in emotional regulation after participating in yoga classes.
Enhanced Mental Well-being: Yoga helps reduce repetitive negative thoughts and intrusive emotions. A study with fourth- and fifth-graders found that a mindful yoga program significantly lowered problematic stress responses compared to regular school activities.
Coping with Negative Life Events: Yoga equips students with tools to handle stress and anxiety from negative life events, such as issues at home or poor test scores. An eight-week mindful yoga program helped students cope better with such challenges.
The Shift Wellbeing Ambassador Programme
About the Programme
The Shift Wellbeing Ambassador Course for Educators was initiated by Shift Arts & Wellbeing LTD (Shift) in 2021 to enable teachers to integrate simple movement, breath, and mindful moments into their classrooms. The programme was developed during COVID-19 and has since trained 120 educators in 80 schools across Gloucestershire.
Vision and Mission
Shift aims to embed yoga and mindfulness into every school in Gloucestershire, improving the well-being, resilience, and mental health of children and young people. The programme supports educators and aims to make yoga an integral part of daily school life.
Course Development
The programme evolved over three years, adapting to changing circumstances and feedback. It included both online modules and in-person events, focusing on a person-centred approach to learning. Shift also launched the ‘Bliss.ed’ peer-to-peer course for young people and expanded their offerings based on school and student requests.
Reach and Impact:
The programme has been delivered to 120 educators in 80 schools across six waves of training.
Shift’s initiatives have led to positive outcomes, such as increased focus, reduced anxiety, improved behaviour, and better self-regulation among students.
Educators have reported practicing yoga for their own well-being and continuing to implement it in their schools, with 87% of ambassadors from the first two waves still delivering yoga sessions.
Success stories
- Educators have noted improvements in students’ ability to manage stress and emotions, with yoga sessions helping them calm down and re-energize.
- Schools have seen positive differences in students’ behaviour, including better anger and frustration management, reduced anxiety, and improved listening skills and body awareness.
- Students have shared breathing techniques and practiced yoga outside of structured sessions, showing enthusiasm and enjoyment even if they are not typically sporty.
- Educators have valued the face-to-face events for building confidence and reducing assignment-related issues, highlighting the programme’s supportive community.
