Integrating yoga with education in the modern schooling system: A theoretical model based on ancient knowledge and modern research

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to make a case for integrating yoga with education in the modern schooling system and to propose a theoretical model based on a synthesis of ancient knowledge and modern research. The paper is based on literature review of child and adolescent mental health, case for character education, case for school-based yoga intervention, ancient texts of yoga, and modern research on benefit outcomes of yoga. A comprehensive understanding of yogic principles from ancient texts and outcome benefits from modern research has gone into the development of a theoretical model of yoga in education. There is a large body of research evidence, suggesting that yoga in education can aid the development of physiological well-being, cognitive efficacy, emotional control, and desirable personality traits. Ancient literature on yoga provides its underlying principles, sequence of practices, and their interconnectedness. The theoretical model is based on the eight limbs of yoga derived from ancient literature. Modern research provides the evidence of benefits. The benefits show that yoga may aid in the development of the whole child, character building, social-emotional learning training, and developing the power of concentration. These findings make a compelling case for the inclusion of yoga in the school curricula. Most researches into school-based yoga have varying degrees of rigor in methodology and are based on short periods of interventions. If yoga in education is widely implemented, it will provide an opportunity for more methodologically rigorous research as well as longitudinal studies. This will help to both improve the school-based yoga programs and build more solid evidence of its efficacy. This paper is unique because it juxtaposes the process-based ancient knowledge and outcome-based modern research. This allows for a more comprehensive theoretical model of yoga in education.