How Yoga can Have a Positive Effect on the Academic Performance of Students
Do you know that yoga can have a positive effect on the academic performance of students? Most people don’t realize this, but it is true! In this article, we will discuss how yoga can help improve academic performance. We will also answer some common questions about the topic. If you are a student or the parent of a student, then you should read this article!
What is yoga?
Yoga is a form of physical, spiritual, and mental exercise. It is a practice that originated in ancient India. There are many types of yoga.
Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is the most common type of yoga. It is a gentle form that emphasizes slow and controlled movements. This type is geared towards beginners or people who want a more relaxed practice.
Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a more vigorous form of yoga that involves synchronizing breathing with movement. This type of yoga is more physically demanding and involves a series of poses that are done in a certain order. It is best suited for people who want to work on strength, balance, and endurance.
Iyengar yoga
Iyengar yoga uses props, such as blocks and straps, to help you perform poses. It is a good choice for beginners or people who are recovering from injuries. Also, Iyengar yoga focuses on proper alignment and can help you learn to pose correctly.
Hot yoga
Hot yoga can increase your heart rate and make you sweat more during class. This helps release toxins from your body.
Kundalini yoga
Kundalini Yoga is an intense combination of rapid breathing and repetitive poses, often performed in high temperatures. It can be a good choice for people who want to lose weight or get fit quickly.
All types have a common purpose: to help people relax, reduce stress, and stay healthy.
Ways that yoga have a positive effect on the academic performance of students
Yoga is a mind-body practice that can help you relax, reduce stress and increase self-awareness. The benefits of yoga have been touted by athletes and celebrities alike.
Below are six ways that yoga can have a positive effect on the academic performance of students.
Emotion regulation
When students can effectively regulate their emotions, they are better able to stay focused and on task. Yoga can help improve emotion regulation skills. Students who practice yoga are less reactive emotionally and more responsive, which leads to improved academic performance.
A study published in the journal Emotion looked at the impact of a 12-week yoga intervention on emotion regulation skills in adolescents. The study found that the yoga group had improved emotional awareness, self-regulation, and social skills compared to the control group.
Reduced anxiety and tension
Yoga is an effective way to reduce anxiety and tension, which can often interfere with academic performance. When we’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s difficult to focus on anything else. Yoga can help us to calm down and focus on the task at hand.
In addition, yoga can help us to develop a sense of mastery over our bodies and minds, which can boost our confidence and increase our productivity.
Fewer problem behaviors
Yoga has been shown to reduce problem behaviors in children, including aggression and attention problems. In addition to increasing self-regulation, yoga can also help a child deal with stressful events by encouraging mindfulness of their body’s physical sensations and helping them find relaxation techniques that work for them.
One study found that yoga led to a significant reduction in problem behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and aggressive behavior. When students are less restless and disruptive in class, it can lead to an overall improved learning environment for everyone.
Physical well-being
Practicing yoga can improve physical well-being. This has a positive effect on the academic performance of students because their body is better able to cope with stress and they are more alert in class.
Also, yoga can help with conditions such as asthma, migraines, and back pain which can affect academic performance.
Positive body image, self-confidence, and self-esteem
Yoga can help students develop a positive body image, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Students with these qualities are more motivated to do well in school and less likely to engage in risky behavior like drug use or something else.
Also, yoga helps students learn how to listen to their bodies so they know when something is wrong or if they need to rest. For example, some students may have trouble with math concepts but after practicing yoga regularly for several months or years, these same students may find that math problems become easier because they are more focused and relaxed.
Yoga tips for beginners
If you are a beginner, it is important to start with a few simple postures or asanas. Also, take time to study the various common postures before you get started.
The first step is to find an appropriate space where you can perform these exercises without any problem. Make sure the place is well-ventilated and there are no obstacles in your way.
Start by warming up your body with a few simple stretches. Then, slowly move on to the basic postures. Remember to take it easy and go at your own pace. Do not push yourself too hard in the beginning. As you get used to the postures, you can increase their difficulty level.
Lastly, cool down your body with a few more stretches and relax for some time.
There are several yoga classes that you could join to learn these exercises from an experienced teacher or instructor.
You can also perform a few simple postures on your own at home, no matter where you are or what time it is. This will help you get used to the exercises and their benefits before joining a class or going to an instructor.
Conclusion
A healthy mind and body are the keys to success in all areas of life, including academics. If you want to be productive, then you need to make sure that your mental health is in good condition.
This can only happen when both your mind and body are functioning at their optimal levels. Yoga helps achieve this balance between physical fitness and mental wellbeing.
Hence, you should incorporate this practice into your daily life if you want to be successful at school or university. It will not only improve your physical health but also enhance your academic performance by increasing concentration levels and helping you manage stress effectively.
Sources:
Yasmin Janjhua, Rashmi Chaudhary, Nishant Sharma, and Krishan Kumar. A study on the effect of yoga on emotional regulation, self-esteem, and feelings of adolescents. – J Family Med Prim Care. 2020 Jul; 9(7): 3381–3386.
C. Ferreira-Vorkapic, J. M. Feitoza, M. Marchioro, J. Simões, E. Kozasa, and S. Telles. Are There Benefits from Teaching Yoga at Schools? A Systematic Review of Randomized Control Trials of Yoga-Based Interventions. – Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:345835. doi: 10.1155/2015/345835. Epub 2015 Sep 28.
Photo Credits
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Guest Author Bio
Liam Mills
Liam Mills is a Product Expert and ex-Supplier Quality Assurance Manager at Walmart, and the Founder of ValueHunta, a contributor to Heliotherapy.
Blog / Website: Heliotherapy Research Institute