Yoga in Schools
Please visit classyoga.com for my yoga for schools information, resources and training.
Yoga gives young people some rare time for themselves – and can improve not only their physical health, but also their emotional wellbeing. It is a fantastic form of cross-training for young athletes, as well as a form of exercise for those who usually dislike PE, as there is no competition and progress can be seen quickly by the individual. With ever increasing youth drug and alcohol abuse, teen pregnancies and obesity, in addition to the emotional difficulties that all young people face, yoga is a simple way to feel better, reduce stress and boost self-esteem.
What we Offer for Schools in Cornwall
- Weekly yoga classes in your school with any year group, 1-5 classes in a day
- Teacher training for primary school teachers to allow class teachers to confidently and effectively teach yoga in the classroom
- Teacher training for secondary school teachers through the Teen Yoga teacher training program
- Wellbeing Days/ Whole-School PSHE Days
The change in the pupils from the time they entered the class, with some silly giggling and a feeling of some tension in the room, to the complete calm during the final rest period, was a complete transformation
Year 10 Tutor
Young People Need Yoga
Ofsted requires every school to actively promote and evaluate students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) development. Yoga classes support SMSC education by encouraging students to explore and reflect on life purpose, cause and effect, resilience, obstacles, relationships, feelings and emotions.
Yoga is taught in many schools across the UK as
- Part of the PE curriculum
- Part of PHSE curriculum
- An elective in an enrichment programme
- A lunch time or after-school club activity
- An intervention to maximise the achievement of disadvantaged students
Benefits of Yoga
- Develops strength, flexibility and stamina
- Reduces tension, stress and anxiety
- Raises self-esteem and promotes self-efficacy – Improves motivation
- Develops clarity, focus and concentration
- Creates awareness of emotional responses
- Encourages self-management of behaviour
- Promotes social, mental and emotional health
During the yoga sessions the focus is on
- Improving flexibility
- Improving coordination and balance, which also helps concentration (and consequently behaviour)
- Strengthening muscles and bones, which improves posture and breathing (and consequently learning)
- Increasing self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem
- Relaxation and calming.
Further Information
Helen suggests 30 minutes with Key Stage 1 pupils, 45 minutes with Key Stage 2 pupils and 45-60 minutes with Key Stages 3 and 4. The classes are taught in school, as part of PE and PSHE or extra-curricular, taught by a qualified school and yoga teacher and have further added benefits for the school including:
- Meets criteria for SEAL, PE Outcomes, Healthy Schools & Every Child Matters.
- Enriches PE and PSHE curriculum subjects.
- Can be combined with other curriculum areas, such as Literacy and RE.
- Suitable cover for PPA time.
Investment depends on location, please enquire.
Contact Helen via the Contact page to discuss introducing yoga to your students.
