Why do Yoga at school? Yoga is one of the oldest and most widely-experimented methods of individual self-improvement: this is expressly recognised by the Memorandum of Understanding drawn up between the Italian National Yoga Confederation and the Ministry for Education in 1998, which confirms the importance of promoting the development of Yoga in schools at both central and local level. Children and adolescents are especially vulnerable to the frenetic rhythm of modern life, with a pace and a quantity of stimuli that can lead to disorientation. This means that an enhancement of self-knowledge and the quest for physical and psychological balance are more important than ever, and Yoga can make a significant contribution to both. Yoga is an ideal approach for use in the formative period of development, fostering the growth of individual and social potential. It has also proved very useful in helping young people in the organisation of study and in preparing for tests and exams.

Benefits Significant results can be obtained through simple techniques within everyone’s reach: improvement in intellectual ability, “recharging” of mental energies, relief from tension, anxiety and excessive emotion. The Yoga positions (asana) balance the nervous system, improving breathing and stability, resulting in an enhanced awareness of the body and of sensations and inner emotions. Years of experimentation have led to the conclusion that Yoga helps to improve the management and organisation of the physical, emotional and mental potential of children, adolescents and students, making the teachers’ job easier.

The proposed courses are of one hour a week throughout the year, or 10-lesson modules, during or outside school hours. The courses are run by Camilla Guillaume.

The courses for children that we propose to families are illustrated on this page.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Favolyogando book factsheet. Comments from teachers and children who have taken part in the courses.