Exploring the Impact of a Locally Developed Yoga Program on the Well-Being of New Zealand School-Children and Their Learning

Yoga is a spiritual practice to exercise for good health as well as to foster harmonious mind-body connection. The purpose of this exploratory study was to ascertain the effects of the different components of yoga on the health and well-being of primary school children in New Zealand. The impact of yoga practice on children's learning capabilities was also examined. The yoga intervention consisted of one hour weekly sessions taught over a period of 5 weeks in the hall of a school that embraces a model of holistic education in its curriculum delivery. School children participation was voluntary and 6 school children from years 6 - 10 took part as part of a convenience sample in this study. A qualitative hermeneutic-phenomenological epistemology was used in conducting the design of this study. Some of the benefits the school children reported from a regular practice of yoga included deeper relaxation, greater inner calmness, better energy in tackling the challenges of daily life. Yoga was also found to be an effective agent in fostering a socially mediated fun-filled learning environment where children can engage in playful interactions and meaningful bonding. The school children also reported better focus and attention spans in their learning activities.


PMID: 32827403