The Value of Yoga

Today's fast-paced society causes stress for everyone, even children. In my school, we have a wonderful opportunity to offer Yoga as an activity for our students. When the students entered the gymnasium this week and saw the yoga mats on the floor many exclaimed "Yeah! we are doing yoga!" The benefits of yoga include balance, strength, concentration, focus, and relaxation. Our students reap those benefits when they participate in yoga activities in Physical Education class. How many of us would love a chance to turn the lights off, lay down, and let go of all of our daily stress by listening to soft music and relaxing? When I observe my students enjoy all of the yoga activities and then relax at the end, I can't help but think that this type of activity would benefit them more often than I can provide in PE. Several students fall asleep during the brief relaxation period at the end of class, and many would stay longer if time allowed. At the end of one yoga session, one student said "I wish I could stay here all day!" When it's time to put shoes on and get ready to go, many students lag behind to enjoy the time to relax. I asked my primary students to "Wiggle your fingers if you would like to have the chance to do yoga again." Guess what? There was not a finger that wasn't wiggling in the gym!