“At Fernbank Elementary School in Decatur, Georgia from kindergarten through fifth grade, students are learning to use deep breathing and basic yoga at their desks to cope with stress and anxiety that may occur before taking tests. School guidance counselor June Neal has seen a measurable difference among the students. “We’ve seen an improvement in test scores and test-taking skills because their stress level is decreased after yoga.”

Neal isn’t worried about criticism that may be aimed at the school for taking time away from daily lessons to stretch and meditate. “An elementary school is more than reading, writing and arithmetic,” says Neal. “You do need some down time, you do need some way to express yourself and to reduce anxiety that comes along with being in school.

CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/10/08/hm.kids.yoga/index.html

During the 90-minute class, “the parents have to be complete participants,” said Jimenez-Echevarria. Elsie is a graduste of the Bright Spirit Teacher’s Training Program and also works full-time for the Jersey City Board of Education and has been integrating yoga into the Jersey City school curriculum over the last two years.

An article about the program appeared in the North Bergen Reporter http://www.hudsonreporter.com/