The Benefits of Yoga for Primary Students: A Mindfulness Programme

Abstract

In schools around the world, “mindfulness” is being implemented in classrooms at a great rate. The literature claims that mindfulness in the classroom can reduce stress, improve the teacher–student relationship, increase student confidence, reduce the negative behaviour, improve behaviour management, promote classroom engagement and increase concentration (Willits 2015; Arthurson 2015). Prior to this investigation, I had a few experiences with mindfulness programmes: during my placements as a pre-service teacher; while attending a professional development conference; and through my employment as an Educational Assistant. Through reflection, I realized the proposed benefits of mindfulness could have been highly beneficial to myself as a student in the past and even now as a teacher. Yoga is just one programme used to increase mindfulness, and it can be conducted in the classroom for students and teachers to gain the benefits of mindfulness practices. It was proposed that yoga as a mindfulness programme, once implemented in the classroom, can increase student engagement, well-being and confidence. This chapter explains how students in my class experienced a range of benefits from yoga as a mindfulness programme.