Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners

308 • PART iii: YogA foR EduCATing foR SElf-REgulATion And EngAgEMEnT

study found that the group format may be most effective with girls who are more externally
oriented (Norman, Sodano, & Cook-Cottone, 2014). This program was designed for middle
school females, but the manual provides adaptation and extension for high school females
and adults. Methodical issues include lack of randomization and lower dosage of yoga
(i.e., once per week, 45-minute session, for 12 to 14 weeks; Cook-Cottone, 2015).

An oVERViEW of SCHool-BASEd YogA PRogRAMS

Based on the search conducted by my team and Butzer and colleagues’ (2015) survey,
Table 13.1 provides a brief overview of additional school-based yoga programs. Note that
if a program’s web page or available materials did not provide adequate descriptive data
clarifying the program or its services, it was not included. Program names, web pages, and
brief descriptions are provided. This is not intended to be a ranking or evaluative survey;
the programs are listed in alphabetical order. The purpose is to give you a broad view of the
wide variety of programs available. Please go to the program’s web page and research the
programs in which you are interested. Note that some of the web pages are extensive, pro-
viding information on research, administration, training programs, and services offered in
a very clear and user-friendly manner. Other web pages are difficult to navigate and lack
information and details. The quality of the web page may not reflect the quality of the pro-
gram. Use the guidance given previously (i.e., yoga program features to consider) and your
own research to select your program and training.

TABlE 13.1 Additional Yoga Programs for Schools and Youth

Program WebPage brief DescriPtion

Bent on

Learning

bentonlearning.org Bent on Learning is a non-profit organization committed

to teaching yoga to New York City public school students.

The program was created by yoga teachers who began

volunteering to offer classes in schools. They have

now taught 18,000 youth. The program collaborates

with physical education teachers, school mental health

professionals, and administrators to offer yoga to grades

K–12 as a gym class, elective, or after-school activity. The

program provides yoga, offers training to school teachers,

provides age-appropriate guidance to students for home

practice, and raises funds for programs. The program

cites yoga research and describes the benefits of yoga in

schools. Their slogan is, “Where inner city kids find inner

peace.”

Calming Kids

Yoga

calmingkidsyoga

.org

Calming Kids Yoga: Creating a Non-Violent World is a

non-profit organization committed to reducing bullying

and violence in schools, helping students develop coping

mechanisms, and increasing students’ concentration via

provision of yoga education. Yoga is offered in class and

as a full yoga session for students in pre-K to grade 12. It

offers e-books, online trainings, and a multi-part teacher

certification program with curriculum addressing different

age groups.

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