What the research says

Short study facts on yoga and mindfulness with preschoolers, school children and teens. Details are summarised from each study.

Yoga, Anxiety, Attention and Social-Emotional Symptoms in Preschool Children

Busch et al., 2023

Participants: 72 preschoolers (ages 4 to 6)
Measures: Teacher ratings and an attention task
Findings: Lower anxiety, better social-emotional skills, better attention and focus

The Effects of Yoga Education on Early Childhood Cognitive Functions

Serkan Taşpınar

Aim: Effects of yoga on cognitive functions in preschoolers
Sample: 28 children (ages 4 to 5)
Design: Pretest and posttest with a control group (10 yoga, 18 control)
Intervention: 1 hour a week for 12 weeks, taught by a certified instructor
Measures: Cognitive Functions Scale (ACFS)
Findings: Higher cognitive scores in the yoga group, with gains in classification, memory and pattern completion. No change in the control group.
Conclusion: Regular yoga supports memory and cognitive development in early childhood.

Effects of Yoga and Mindfulness on the Autonomic Nervous System in Children

Ulrike Rabenstein et al.

Aim: Test the impact of yoga and mindfulness on the nervous system
Sample: 105 children (ages 8 to 11)
Setting: Elementary school
Intervention: Weekly 45-minute sessions for one school year
Measure: Heart rate variability (HRV)
Findings: Higher HRV, meaning better stress control, parasympathetic activity and balance

Impact of Yoga on Children's Self-Perception and Behavior

Petra Jansen et al.

Aim: Test yoga's effect on self-perception and behavior
Participants: Children aged 6 to 9
Setting: School-based yoga program
Intervention: Regular child-friendly yoga sessions
Measures: Self-concept and problem behaviors
Findings: Improved confidence, fewer problem behaviors and better overall wellbeing

Mindfulness and Yoga Improve Quality of Life in Students and Teachers

Khalsa et al.

Aim: Examine yoga and mindfulness effects on quality of life in students and teachers
Participants: Elementary school students and their teachers
Setting: Randomized controlled, school-based program
Intervention: Mindfulness and yoga practices during school
Measures: Quality of life, stress, classroom wellbeing
Findings: Boosted wellbeing, reduced stress and improved school life

Effect of Yoga on Attention and Concentration in Children (6 to 10 years)

Dr. Sadhana Dauneria and Chitra Subramanian

Aim: Test the effect of yoga on focus and concentration
Participants: Children aged 6 to 10
Intervention: School-based yoga sessions
Findings: Improved attention, focus and academic performance

Yoga and Emotion Regulation in High School Students

Christina J. Franco et al.

Aim: Test yoga's impact on teen emotion regulation
Participants: High school students
Intervention: School-based yoga sessions
Findings: Better emotion control, less stress and improved wellbeing

Effect of Yoga on Memory in Middle School Students

Dr. Shikha Banerjee

Aim: Test yoga's impact on memory
Participants: Middle school students
Intervention: School-based yoga practice
Findings: Better memory, recall and learning

Yoga supports wellbeing and learning. It does not replace medical care.

Yoga and the pineal gland

The pineal gland is a small gland deep in the brain. It makes melatonin, a hormone that helps set the body's sleep and wake rhythm.

Some small studies of adults who meditate regularly found higher melatonin levels after meditation (Tooley et al., 2000; Liou et al., 2010), and imaging studies have seen more pineal activity during meditation. Results are mixed, and these studies did not involve children.

Melatonin may also play a part in the timing of puberty, but scientists are still working out how. It is not proven that yoga changes this.

Practices often mentioned alongside it: Surya Namaskara energises, Nadi Shodhana balances, and mantra chanting calms the mind. Shambhavi mudra is a traditional gazing practice; claims about pineal health are not scientifically established.

We therefore describe yoga as supporting calm, good sleep habits and steady routines. We do not claim it controls maturity or emotions.

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