Evaluation of the Benefits a Middle School Yoga Program (Two Year Study)

In the past ten years a growing number of teens, adolescents, and other children have begun to practice yoga in the United States. However, there has been little research conducted measuring the benefits for these minors over time. This study followed a group of middle school students (n=13) over two years (7th and 8th grades) to measure changes in physical and psychological health states. Significant findings (p < .05) showed results showed that students who practiced yoga had improved levels of positive mood, lower levels of negative mood, and better cardiovascular health measures (lower BP, lower resting heart rate). Students showed the greatest level of improvement during the first year of their practice and the benefits of yoga continued to increase in year two, but began to plateau over time. Students in the control group (n=19) showed no change in any physical or psychological measure over time. Future study will include a longitudinal study to exam the long term impact on physical health, psychological health, and overall stress levels as these children become adults.