Students' Self-Regulation Changes at Schools With Yoga Programs: The Role of Stress Level

• In Event: 29.082 - Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: 29.082-18 - Stress, Coping, and Resilience

Abstract

Two Title I K-5 elementary schools offered students a consistent yoga practice, and two cohorts of 5th grade students (N=130 and N=139) were studied to explore the relationship between yoga and self-regulation. Twice weekly, students attended a yoga and mindfulness class, led by an instructor both certified as a classroom teacher and yoga instructor, that guided students through breathing, movement and relaxation strategies to manage stress. Using a pre/post survey research design, this study explores if students identified as high stress, as compared to students as a whole, showed positive changes in their ability to self-regulate after participating in the program for two consecutive school years. Results showed that in both years, students in the high stress group showed significantly greater improvement in their ability to self-regulate compared to students as a whole. Findings from this study may help educators make decisions about the implementation of yoga programs in schools, as it offers insight about yoga’s impact on students who experience different levels of stress.

Authors

• Anne Keicher, University of San Diego

• Andria Parrott, University of San Diego