Using Yoga to Reduce Anxiety in Children: Exploring School-Based Yoga Among Rural Third- and Fourth-Grade Students

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety is becoming more common in children and can negatively affect social and academic performance. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of 10 min of yoga on anxiety in third- and fourth-graders over 8 weeks.

Method: Participants completed 10 min of yoga daily during the school week. Participants completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders anxiety screening tool at the beginning and after the program.

Results: Paired sample t test noted a significant difference between pretest and posttest raw scores in the category of generalized anxiety disorder. On average, participants had significantly decreased raw anxiety scores after completing the program (mean = -0.0308), t₍₆₀₎ = -3.137, p < .05.

Discussion: This study demonstrates that yoga practiced as little as 10 min a day over 8 weeks can have a significant impact on decreasing anxiety in children aged 8-10 years.

Keywords: Children; Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders tool; anxiety; elementary school; yoga.