A New Approach to Holistic Physical Education: Yoga in the Classroom

Educational policy in Ontario mandates elementary students participate in twenty minutes of Daily Physical Activity. To date, yoga has not been a recognized type of DPA. This study supports yoga as a holistic and personally satisfying form of physical activity for elementary students. This study will address: student perceptions of yoga; are they the same as adults; and how students think yoga could be used in the classroom. Research shall be conducted through interviews, observations of children participating in bi-weekly yoga sessions, and analyzing participants’ written reflections in open-ended journals. This research can help to re-define DPA for all students in order to reach out to a variety of student needs. Using Michael Fullan’s (2001) analyses of change, this study will demonstrate the linkages between the practical applications of yoga in the school and theories of holistic education. This study recommends practical applications of yoga and how it can be implemented in elementary classrooms across Ontario.MAS