Yoga For Youth: The Effects of Yoga On Mindfulness In High-Risk Adolescents

Abstract

Yoga has been demonstrated to have physiological and psychological benefits to young people and adults with a variety of psychological issues. Trauma-Informed Yoga (TIY) is tailored for people with sensitivity to triggers, by observing their boundaries and incorporating mindfulness to help them illuminate the mind-body connection. The purpose of this study was to analyze outcomes of TIY programs on measures of self-awareness and self-acceptance in youth between the ages of 13 and 24. The design of this study was a pre-test post-test comparison with nonequivalent groups on two assessments: the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure - Short Form (CAMM) and the Avoidance and Fusion Questionnaire for Youth - Short Form (AFQ-Y8). Of the 102 participants who entered the study, 17 completed the study after two yoga classes and 34 completed the study after four yoga classes. Results showed no statistically significant improvements in scores on the CAMM or the AFQ-Y8 for any subgroup, although some patterns towards significance emerged. Several participants reported enjoyment and benefits of yoga. In conclusion, more research is needed to determine what factors make yoga interventions successful for high-risk youth.