Study Results Prove Success!

Yoga Keeps Me Calm, Fit and Focused was first conducted as a pilot project at Heatherwood Elementary in Boulder Colorado, with 4th and 5th grade students. The children were asked to fill out a questionnaire before and after the 2 weeks of yoga classes taught during SAVE time, October 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2007. 

Dr. Grace Wyshak at Harvard Medical School of Public Health analyzed the results of the study.  It showed a significant increase in anger management in only 4½ hours of yoga training.  She found that students reported a decrease in headaches, hitting and fidgeting, an increase in the capability to control anger, and an overall improved ability to sleep after only 6 yoga sessions. 

Each year the children report the same results: a decrease in aggressive behavior, an increase in the ability to control anger, and concentrate.

An added study was done in 2007 and below are the reported results.

STUDY RESULTS CONCLUSION:
If children are exposed to yoga by a knowledgeable and experienced teacher a dramatic decrease in violence and aggression occurs. Only a 4 ½ hour exposure to yoga over a period of two weeks has been shown to result in up to a 93% decrease in aggressive behavior in 4th and 5th grade children along with the other side benefits itemized in the study on concentration and relaxation (detailed above).

To view "Children’s Yoga in School for Bullying Prevention " ARTICLE (PDF)- click this link.

The results obtained in this study confirm that classical yoga which addresses the body, mind and spirit is an elegant tool for implementing behavioral changes when administered correctly to elementary age children.