Yoga at Schools
Situation Analysis
Classroom teachers and administrators alike are increasingly under pressure to have their school perform well on FCAT exams in order to steer clearly away from being labeled an “F” school. What’s more, they are working in an environment of overcrowded classrooms and are constantly challenged to effectively teach a diverse, melting pot population.
Children in our schools are also feeling the pressure and they have little to no resources to manage this everyday stress. And today, physical fitness class requirements have been reduced and many children have the choice of opting out of P.E. This is contrary to some of the realities we’re facing today with obesity rates skyrocketing and suicide among 10-14 year olds having quadrupled in the past 10 years. Furthermore, approximately 55 million children have been labeled or mis-labeled as ADD/ADHD and are on psychotropic drugs for ADD/ADHD and depression.
If nothing is done, this situation will continue to deteriorate and many of these children will realize the self-fulfilling prophecy of their early diagnosis as adults. This is a frightening thought particularly since this generation (Generation Y or Milennia generation) is the largest demographic in our country’s history.
The Research Shows
A recent study on the use of yoga as an intervention for children with attention difficulties (Peck, H., (2005) featured in School Psychology Review, 34, 415-424) found that yoga "promotes self-control, attention, and concentration." Thus, the purported outcomes of yoga suggests that it is a helpful intervention for children with attention difficulties, as it "...children's heightened awareness, reduced tension, and improved concentration would be conducive to learning.”
The research also shows that the beneficial affects associated with yoga practice occurred quickly, showed some evidence of persisting beyond the training itself, and essentially normalized rates of on-task behavior for formally inattentive students during the time that yoga training was occurring.
The Solution: Bringing Yoga to Schools for Teachers and Students Alike in Miami Dade County
Teachers in Miami-Dade County are now beginning to incorporate Yoga techniques into their classroom teachings to actually help students focus and study better. Children's yoga programming taught by Jill Rapperport, yoga and meditation instructor, Reiki Master, and Spiritual Empowerment Coach, is an educational program that combines a science-based exploration of the body, mind and self with the exercise system of yoga to support and enhance learning, health and personal responsibility. Yoga, creative movement, and mindfulness exercises serve to help children be learning ready, physically fit, aware of self and others and confident.
According to Rapperport, this program “rejuvenates teachers and students and provides a complete shift in emotional states, learning readiness, and physical well being.”
Yoga at Schools Today
Rapperport recently facilitated a workshop for teachers prior to the beginning of the new school year. The goal of the workshop was to provide teachers with simple yoga based tools to use for themselves and their students. She regularly facilitates workshops for teachers at several schools including Sunset Elementary School and North Beach Elementary School. Ms. Rapperport is expanding her company, Yoga At Schools, which provides Yoga, Creative Movement, and Mindfulness trainings to as many schools and children throughout Florida as possible. Jill is also looking for yoga teachers who are interested in transforming children’s lives through the gifts of yoga. Contact Jill Rapperport if you are interested in learning more about how to get involved [email protected].
Situation Analysis
Classroom teachers and administrators alike are increasingly under pressure to have their school perform well on FCAT exams in order to steer clearly away from being labeled an “F” school. What’s more, they are working in an environment of overcrowded classrooms and are constantly challenged to effectively teach a diverse, melting pot population.
Children in our schools are also feeling the pressure and they have little to no resources to manage this everyday stress. And today, physical fitness class requirements have been reduced and many children have the choice of opting out of P.E. This is contrary to some of the realities we’re facing today with obesity rates skyrocketing and suicide among 10-14 year olds having quadrupled in the past 10 years. Furthermore, approximately 55 million children have been labeled or mis-labeled as ADD/ADHD and are on psychotropic drugs for ADD/ADHD and depression.
If nothing is done, this situation will continue to deteriorate and many of these children will realize the self-fulfilling prophecy of their early diagnosis as adults. This is a frightening thought particularly since this generation (Generation Y or Milennia generation) is the largest demographic in our country’s history.
The Research Shows
A recent study on the use of yoga as an intervention for children with attention difficulties (Peck, H., (2005) featured in School Psychology Review, 34, 415-424) found that yoga "promotes self-control, attention, and concentration." Thus, the purported outcomes of yoga suggests that it is a helpful intervention for children with attention difficulties, as it "...children's heightened awareness, reduced tension, and improved concentration would be conducive to learning.”
The research also shows that the beneficial affects associated with yoga practice occurred quickly, showed some evidence of persisting beyond the training itself, and essentially normalized rates of on-task behavior for formally inattentive students during the time that yoga training was occurring.
The Solution: Bringing Yoga to Schools for Teachers and Students Alike in Miami Dade County
Teachers in Miami-Dade County are now beginning to incorporate Yoga techniques into their classroom teachings to actually help students focus and study better. Children's yoga programming taught by Jill Rapperport, yoga and meditation instructor, Reiki Master, and Spiritual Empowerment Coach, is an educational program that combines a science-based exploration of the body, mind and self with the exercise system of yoga to support and enhance learning, health and personal responsibility. Yoga, creative movement, and mindfulness exercises serve to help children be learning ready, physically fit, aware of self and others and confident.
According to Rapperport, this program “rejuvenates teachers and students and provides a complete shift in emotional states, learning readiness, and physical well being.”
Yoga at Schools Today
Rapperport recently facilitated a workshop for teachers prior to the beginning of the new school year. The goal of the workshop was to provide teachers with simple yoga based tools to use for themselves and their students. She regularly facilitates workshops for teachers at several schools including Sunset Elementary School and North Beach Elementary School. Ms. Rapperport is expanding her company, Yoga At Schools, which provides Yoga, Creative Movement, and Mindfulness trainings to as many schools and children throughout Florida as possible. Jill is also looking for yoga teachers who are interested in transforming children’s lives through the gifts of yoga. Contact Jill Rapperport if you are interested in learning more about how to get involved [email protected].
