Yoga for Children: Mindfulness in Physical Education

Abstract

Yoga and mindfulness practices have been incorporated into educational settings because they appear to enhance self-awareness, strengthen the immune system, improve memory, manage emotions, increase physical and psychological well-being, tolerance for anger and frustration, and most importantly, body awareness in all dimensions of being. In general, these strategies allow for the management of everyday cognitive-emotional processes by helping to develop a better understanding of the mind and to respond more skillfully to stressful situations, which improves attention, helps to regain inner calm, and contributes to well-being and health. The purpose of this text is to explain how experiential yoga and mindfulness workshops work and how they can be implemented in the Physical Education classroom to promote conscious, humane, and creative motor skills. It is essential to learn to listen to our bodies to restore balance and harmony, and to create an inner experience of attention, understanding and body awareness through conscious breathing. In this way, the personal experience of physical education will allow us to gain a broader, more integral and holistic vision.