There is growing amount of promising research about the beneficial effects of yoga and mindfulness on youth and teenagers. Here are some of the main findings:

• Mental Health: Studies show that yoga and mindfulness can reduce depression, anxiety and stress and improve the mental health of youth of all ages. Yoga and mindfulness may help teenagers across a variety of conditions, including ADHD and substance abuse.

• Physical Well-Being: Research suggests that yoga improves physical well-being, physical fitness, balance, strength and flexibility in youth. Mindfulness is shown to reduce blood pressure and improve sleep quality for teenagers. It may also be helpful for teenagers coping with chronic illnesses.

• Social-Emotional Skills: Yoga and mindfulness are shown to have various positive effects on youth’s social emotional skills, including enhanced self-regulation, reduced hostility and fewer instances of challenging behaviors. Mindfulness is shown to improve communication and relationships for teenagers, as well as decrease challenges around social anxiety, teasing and bullying.

• Academic Performance: Studies suggest that yoga and mindfulness enhance youth’s academic performances by improving grades and high-stakes test scores. Research shows that mindfulness can also have a beneficial impact on teenagers’ focus, work ethic, and effort in the classroom.