Children living in today's complex urban environments face ever-increasing challenges and there are greater levels of stress and obesity among children living in poverty. YoKid helps children confront these challenges by increasing their self-awareness, concentration levels and physical activity by teaching them the practice and benefits of yoga. This project will provide 57 classes, bringing yoga to 75 kids & teens from under-served communities in Washington DC and Virginia.
Children are faced with increased demands socially and academically. Studies show low-income youth are at greater risk for experiencing chronic toxic stress which leads to deficits in academic achievement & occupational attainment later in life. They also have higher rates of obesity which increases risk for disease including diabetes, asthma, and high cholesterol. Kids and teens who participate in yoga benefit from regular physical activity and gain important stress-coping skills.
By providing children, particularly those living in poverty, with the benefits of yoga, we will equip them with techniques that can help them better cope with stress, decrease the likelihood of obesity and improve their general understanding of how to care for themselves both mentally and physically throughout childhood and into adulthood. Students demonstrate better academic performance and more emotional balance in schools where yoga has been introduced.
The YoKid program will introduce the benefits of yoga to 75 under-served kids and teens. Yoga provides both physical and emotional benefits that will extend into adulthood. Yoga and the YoKid program have the ability to equip these children to grow thoughtfully into a healthy future.
