This time of year I am invited into schools in my area, both primary and secondary, to share practices that students can use to manage themselves during exam time.

I wish that yoga could become a part of their curriculum - a consistent part of their school days - as I know the benefits that I have received over the years of my practice through primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

On my social media I shared that when I go to the schools I ask the children how they are feeling, listen to their responses, and tailor our time together based on what is shared. We breathe, move, laugh, and rest together as I teach them practices to manage their breath, their mind, their emotions, and their bodies.

I know of some (principals, teachers, and guidance counsellors) who actively try to share with their charges, or to bring in someone (like myself) to work with them. There are parents who see the value of their children doing yoga, and it is good to see them making space and encouraging their children to practice.

Here are five ways that yoga can help students to stay calm, focused, and confident:

1. Calms exam stress - Yogic practices that manage the breath and relaxation activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, helping to reduce both stress and anxiety before tests. This allows children to approach their exams with a calmer and more balanced mind.

2. Strengthens focus & concentration - Yoga encourages children to pay attention to their breath and body. Over time this helps to strengthen and improve focus, concentration and attention span, which are important both for study and on exam day.

3. Supports memory & learning - Consistent practice strengthens the pathways of the brain linked to memory and attention, allowing students to retain information more effectively. This can lead to study sessions that are less overwhelming and more productive.

4. Encourages better sleep - Yogic practices which encourage movement, focus on breath, and relaxation offer students the opportunity to unwind and physically release tension stored in the body. Releasing physical tension and mental anxiety can improve and encourage better sleep, supporting both learning and concentration.

5. Builds emotional resilience - Yoga teaches children practices that encourage self-awareness and self-regulation. They learn to pause, to breathe, and to observe how they can manage emotions when overwhelmed. These teachings allow them to handle the pressure of exams with greater confidence and ease.

There is at present much research being done on the impact of yoga on children and teens, and on the benefits of yoga in schools.

Here are two ways that parents can support their young people during exam time:

1. Encourage children to pause during study - A break between study sessions can allow students to refresh, refocus, or release as they need to. These can be five, ten, or fifteen minutes of:

   • Deep belly breathing

   • Movement - either gentle or vigorous depending on their mood and feeling

   • Relaxation - resting the eyes, or changing positions to do so

2. Create calm before, during, and after exams - Parents can be stressed by exams as well. Take time to observe self and model for children how they can create calm.

   • Create a calming routine before bedtime, especially the night(s) before exams.

   • On the day(s) of exams, take time to breathe and remind children that if stressed or anxious during exams, they can focus on their breath to settle.

   • On the night(s) after exams, encourage movement and relaxation that allow children to release and unwind.

More and more I think that support is what is needed in our world - support at the individual level, at the family and community levels, and on a global scale. As a yoga instructor my way of providing support is by sharing what I've learnt and experienced. I hope that we continue to grow together.

peace,