News
Posted by Kari on February 2nd, 2009
With support and funding from Full Circle Fund, Niroga Institute helped bring a 15-minute Transformative Life Skills (TLS) experience, including yoga, breathing technique, and meditation, into fifteen classrooms at El Cerrito High School. Bay area students engaged in this unique pilot project received instruction up to five times a week throughout the eighteen-week Fall 2008 semester.
Education Circle Project Lead Fred Schnider recently reported that a research paper documenting this classroom-based yoga pilot has been chosen for presentation at the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) Symposium on Yoga Therapy and Research (SYTAR), a conference held in Los Angeles, California, March 5 through 8, 2009. SYTAR is the premiere yoga therapy educational forum, offering opportunities for over 35 field experts, researchers, and clinicians to share important findings.
The paper, titled “Effects of Daily 15-minute Yoga Protocol on Academic and Psychosocial Measures in Inner City Classrooms” hypothesized that a 15-minute yoga protocol administered regularly in inner city classrooms would help students to reduce stress and increase self-control or resiliency, preparing them to learn with focus, attention, and engagement. Analysis of preliminary data shows favorable changes in both stress and self-control, and positive qualitative feedback from students and teachers.
“I think it’s very good for me,” a student from Mr. Silva’s class shared, “’cause it’s really helped me clear out my mind and forget all the bad things and start over. And it really helps me calm down when I am sad or stressed out. I love every part of it because I’ve been going through a lot in my life and this program makes me feel good when I close my eyes and take a deep breath.”
“I really like the TLS program,” shared a student from Ms. Sajan’s class, “It helps a lot to calm me down and helps me refocus for class. It clears my mind of distractions and helps me focus on the importance of simple things.”
Additionally, this research paper, written by Rebecca Matthew MPH, Ai Kubo Ph.D., and Bidyut K. Bose Ph.D., was selected for publication in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, published annually in October. Congratulations to the entire team who contributed to bringing this cutting-edge work to an international audience!
Posted in Niroga, Fred Schnider, impact, results, education, event, grantees
