Yoga in Public School

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

14 Mar 2006 01:00 PM

My parents are British and I have spent a lot of time in England over the years. I have British cousins and I have often compared life in Britain to life here in the States. I like large portions of both and while I am indisputably American, I hold a great deal of respect for our British cousins and in my case, ancestry.

A recent news piece from England discusses that in schools in the United Kingdom have a plan to introduce yoga and dance classes for their 10 to 11 year olds. The idea is to combat obesity and to provide kids with more options. The idea is that they want to offer lots more activity and not only do they trim their weight, but build up energy reserves for their education.

The plan calls for hundreds of schools to pair up with fitness clubs in order to receive certified instruction for their students. The session would provide for building strength and flexibility. The celebrity angle will help out because lots of celebrities are into yoga and dance so it's appealing to our kids. The health clubs in Britain are really interested in helping the schools developing these programs because it builds a whole new fit generation. It's also a great way to encourage new memberships in their clubs.

The idea is a great one. I hope it flies. Because I would love to see something similar offered here in the States. There's so much we can offer the world, but there's a great deal we can learn from the rest of them too. Be pro-active - make a suggestion in your local school district. Who knows - enough of us asking for it and a tidal wave of change could help our kids do better academically and physically. Options are the best gift we give our kids.

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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haleysmommy (90) 21 Mar 2006 12:33 PM

We live in Illinois and my step-daughter takes yoga in jr. high p.e. She really enjoys it!

Heather Long (16954) 21 Mar 2006 01:50 PM

That's terrific! Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad to hear that there are schools doing that here in the States.

Melissa J (13710) 08 Jan 2007 02:47 PM

I dont' believe it should be something that's required and as long as the Eastern Religion is kept out, I don't have a huge problem with it.

Clarissa Adkins (231) 09 Jan 2007 07:33 PM

I've taught yoga to kids several times. Recently, I taught at a public middle school to 40 pre-teen girls. Many of them came up to me after class finished to tell me that they really enjoyed it or that they were already doing yoga. Younger kids love it, too, especially when you incorporate the animal poses into the practice. My son's elementary school is having yoga as part of an afterschool program. Let's spread the word. It's a great way to show kids that exercise comes in many forms. To address Melissa's comment, I agree that it can easily be done without getting into any religious aspects.