Ms.
Krishnan N, a Zen entrepreneur in her 60s, founded Nava's Zen at 58. With 22
years as a lecturer, including 13 years in the Curtin University of Technology
Perth, Australia Degree Twinning Program, she is now a certified yoga
instructor, coach, and counselor. Her expertise enriches her current work.
Abstract
Yoga, rooted in ancient practices of physical postures, breath control, and meditation, offers a holistic approach to enhancing mental well-being. Evidence suggests that yoga can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting emotional regulation and overall health.
Despite its proven benefits, there remains
a lack of awareness and integration of yoga in adolescent health initiatives.
This article advocates for increased awareness among parents, educators, and
policymakers, emphasizing the role of yoga in supporting adolescent mental
health. By fostering a culture of yoga in educational and community settings,
we can empower adolescents to navigate life's challenges with resilience and
well-being.
Introduction
In my roles as a counselor, coach, and yoga
instructor, I've had numerous conversations with parents who, though a
minority, openly discuss their adolescents' challenges. Conversely, many
parents abruptly end deeper discussions on these issues. Nevertheless, through
subtle cues and body language, I've gleaned insights into the struggles
affecting adolescents under my guidance during yoga sessions. While this
qualitative data isn't formally collected, it serves as a raw reflection of
adolescents' realities gathered through conversations, observations, and
non-verbal cues.
These insights prompt an exploration into the challenges faced by today's adolescents - from the relentless pressure to excel academically, navigate peer influences, and cope with the pervasive impact of social media, to the demands imposed by parents to excel and by an increasingly competitive education system. These pressures often manifest as personal crises in adolescents' daily lives.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Applications
Yoga, with origins over 5,000 years ago in ancient
India, is a holistic practice combining physical postures (asanas), breath
control (pranayama), and meditation. The "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,"
written around 400 CE, outline its eight limbs, focusing on ethical conduct,
self-discipline, and mental focus (The Modern Struggle).
Today, yoga is recognized for its therapeutic benefits, including stress reduction and improved physical health. According to Khalsa et al., "Yoga can provide substantial improvements in mental health and well-being" (Khalsa, S.B.S., 2004). Similarly, Woodyard highlights that “Yoga has been shown to improve mental health, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life" (Woodyard, C., 2011). This ancient practice continues to offer significant health benefits in modern times.
Personal Testimony from Nava’s Zen
As the founder of Nava’s Zen, I have witnessed
firsthand the transformative benefits of yoga through the testimonials of our
clients across various age groups. Despite their diverse backgrounds, clients
consistently report improvements in mental clarity, emotional balance, and
physical vitality. For this article focusing on adolescents, it's essential to
explore the specific benefits of yoga tailored to their unique developmental
stage.
Understanding Adolescence: A Crucial Developmental
Phase
Adolescence, defined as the period between ages 10
and 19 years, is marked by rapid physical, emotional, and cognitive changes
(World Health Organization, 2020). This transitional phase presents significant
challenges, including academic pressures, peer influences, and the pervasive
impact of social media, apart from excelling and success imposed by parents, which
can contribute to heightened stress levels and mental health issues among
adolescents. Thus, it's imperative to explore how yoga can serve as a
supportive intervention.
Benefits of Yoga for Adolescents
Yoga has increasingly been recognized for its
positive impact on adolescents' mental and physical health. Studies demonstrate
that yoga can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in this age
group, while also improving emotional regulation and overall well-being.
Stress Reduction and Emotional Well-Being
"Yoga practice among adolescents has been
associated with significant reductions in perceived stress and anxiety"
(Nidich et al., 2011). Integrating yoga into school settings has shown
promising results in helping students manage stress and enhance their emotional
health.
Academic Performance and Mental Health
"Research indicates that yoga interventions
can improve adolescents' mental health, leading to better academic performance
and reduced behavioral issues" (Khalsa, 2013). This underscores yoga's
potential in supporting students' overall development.
Physical Health and Fitness
"Yoga has been found to improve physical
fitness, including flexibility, strength, and cardiovascular health, essential
for adolescents' growth and development" (Caldwell et al., 2011). The
physical benefits of yoga complement its mental health advantages, offering a
holistic approach for young people.
Despite the proven benefits of yoga for adolescents' mental and physical health, there remains a significant lack of awareness among the general public, parents, schools, and policymakers. This poses a challenge in encouraging adolescents to participate in yoga programs.
Engaging the General Public
In conversations with Malaysians from various
backgrounds, a significant number are aware of yoga's benefits. However, only a
handful actively practice yoga. Many cite reasons such as medication use,
health concerns, preference for supplements, lack of time, difficulty waking up
early, lack of interest, and yoga not being a priority. When asked how they can
play a role or spread the benefits of yoga for adolescents, despite knowing
adolescents who are struggling with health issues, quite a number said that it
is not their responsibility to educate adolescents on the benefits of yoga,
viewing it as the role of parents and policymakers.
Raising Awareness Among the General Public
Public awareness campaigns are crucial for
promoting yoga's benefits for adolescents. It's important to first highlight
the mental health challenges adolescents face and then demonstrate how yoga can
alleviate or prevent these challenges to the general public. Emphasizing that
adolescent mental health is a collective responsibility is crucial, as
untreated issues can have broader societal impacts.
The public can contribute by raising awareness of yoga's benefits through informal conversations, which can effectively spread the message and reach a wider audience. Informal peer influence has been shown to be an effective method for health education and promotion (Smith et al., 2016).
Raising Awareness Among Parents
Parents play a pivotal role in decision-making for
their adolescents. Educating parents about the benefits of yoga and its
potential to support adolescent mental health is crucial. Aligning discussions
on adolescent mental health challenges with the role of yoga in addressing
these issues can resonate deeply with parents. Encouraging parents to practice
yoga themselves can further deepen their understanding and commitment to
introducing yoga to their children (Smith et al., 2018).
Raising Awareness Among Policymakers
Starting with School Authorities
Initiating awareness among policymakers,
particularly school authorities, is crucial for promoting yoga among
adolescents. Schools serve as optimal environments to introduce yoga's
benefits. Educating teachers involved in extracurricular activities, along with
school principals, can lay the groundwork. It's essential to address why yoga
isn't already part of physical or extracurricular activities and demonstrate
its potential impact.
Implementation Strategies
Introducing yoga through talks, demonstrations, or
interactive sessions within schools can effectively showcase its benefits to
students and educators alike. Integrating yoga into school events and
activities further reinforces its relevance and encourages participation among
adolescents.
Colleges and Universities: Extending Awareness
Extending these efforts to colleges and
universities is equally important, especially as adolescents transition to
higher education. Educating college administrators and faculty about yoga's
benefits can pave the way for its inclusion as a support mechanism for
students' mental health. Incorporating yoga into counseling services can
provide adolescents with a holistic approach to managing mental health
challenges (Brown et al., 2020).
Corporations: Promoting Yoga for Adolescent Mental
Health
Engaging Employees and Families
Corporations play a significant role in promoting
the mental well-being of adolescents through their influence on employees, who
are often parents, guardians, or family members. Organizing family days where
staff can practice yoga alongside their children can serve as a gentle
introduction to the benefits of yoga for adolescents. This approach not only
promotes family bonding but also highlights yoga as a positive activity for
mental health (Jones et al., 2019).
Integrating Yoga into Corporate Culture
Corporations can integrate yoga into their
workplace wellness programs, alongside activities like badminton or table
tennis, to promote work-life balance. Offering employees the choice to
participate in yoga sessions fosters awareness and appreciation for its
benefits. Employees who experience the positive effects of yoga are likely to
become advocates, spreading the message to their families and communities,
including adolescents (Smith & Brown, 2020).
Building Awareness and Advocacy
By encouraging employees to participate in yoga and
promoting its benefits for mental health, corporations can indirectly influence
adolescents' perception of yoga. Employees who engage in yoga can (Corporate Yoga) serve as
ambassadors, advocating for its inclusion in adolescent activities and
encouraging young individuals to explore yoga as a means of improving mental
well-being.
Conclusion
Creating awareness about yoga for adolescent mental
health does not always necessitate complex research and data. Simple yet
meaningful actions can initiate this process. It begins with encouraging
individuals - from the general public to parents, schools, and colleges - to
experience yoga firsthand. Through personal engagement, these influencers can
gain a deeper understanding of its benefits and effectively advocate for its
importance among adolescents.
However, many influencers, despite their pivotal roles, do not engage in yoga themselves. This reluctance limits their advocacy for yoga (Fear No Yoga) as a remedy for adolescent mental health, representing a missed opportunity to support adolescents facing life's pressures.
This article underscores the importance of recognizing yoga's potential in supporting adolescent mental health. Instead of solely advocating for awareness of mental health issues, let us actively integrate yoga as a proactive measure. With broader adoption and understanding, we can envision more adolescents benefiting from yoga practice. Ultimately, fostering mental health resilience is crucial as adolescents prepare to navigate the complexities of adulthood and assume leadership roles in society.
References
Brown, L., Sherwood, L., & Gulamhusein, A. (2020). The role of yoga in promoting mental health among university students. Journal of American College Health, 68(6), 620-627.
Caldwell, K.,
Harrison, M., Adams, M., Quin, R. H., & Greeson, J. (2011). Developing
mindfulness in college students through movement-based courses: Effects on
self-regulatory self-efficacy, mood, stress, and sleep quality. Journal of
American College Health, 58(5), 433-442.
Jones, M. B.,
Johnston, M. L., & Verrier, M. J. (2019). The impact of workplace wellness
programs on the mental health of employees and their families. Journal of
Workplace Health & Safety, 67(3), 112-120.
Khalsa, S. B.
S. (2004). Yoga as a therapeutic intervention: A bibliometric analysis of
published research studies. Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 48(3),
269-285.
Khalsa, S. B.
S. (2013). Yoga therapy for treating anxiety, depression, and stress. International
Journal of Yoga Therapy, 23(2), 55-59.
Nidich, S.,
Mills, P. J., Rainforth, M., Heppner, P., Schneider, R. H., Rosenthal, N. E.,
& Salerno, J. (2011). A randomized controlled trial on effects of the
Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress,
and coping in young adults. American Journal of Hypertension, 22(12),
1326-1331.
Smith, J. L.,
Greenberg, S. R., & Wintemberg, J. (2016). Health promotion interventions
in school environments: A systematic review. Health Education & Behavior,
43(5), 491-501.
Smith, R.,
& Brown, T. (2020). Employee wellness programs: Integrating yoga for
improved mental health. Journal of Business Psychology, 35(4), 567-578.
Smith, S.,
Brown, E., & Jones, M. (2018). The impact of yoga on adolescent mental
health: A qualitative study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 62(3), 301-308.
Woodyard, C.
(2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase
quality of life. International Journal of Yoga, 4(2), 49-54.
World Health
Organization. (2020). Adolescent health. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/adolescent-health/
No comments:
Post a Comment