A Mindfulness Curriculum: High School Students’ Experiences of Yoga in a Nova Scotia School

  • Karen A. Berezowski St. Francis Xavier University
  • Christopher M. Gilham St. Francis Xavier University
  • Daniel B. Robinson St. Francis Xavier University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36510/learnland.v10i2.800
Keywords: well-being, mental health, yoga, mindfulness, high school, narrative, interview, curriculum

Abstract

This article reports on results from a narrative inquiry into the experiences of four students who completed an elective yoga course as part of their high school program in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the participants' stories of their yoga experiences. Overall, students were able to express and give examples of how yoga made them feel stronger, happier, kinder, and more self-confident. We suggest that Yoga 11 is a mindfulness curriculum, inherently. This research might be of particular interest to others similarly engaged in research related to mental health and mindfulness in education.

Author Biographies

Karen A. Berezowski, St. Francis Xavier University

Karen A. Berezowski, Med, is a public school teacher at Northumberland Regional High School. She teaches Yoga 11, and piloted the high school yoga program in 2007. She is also a part-time instructor at St. Francis Xavier University, and teaches a graduate course in mindfulness for educators. She also presents professional development workshops for teachers in the Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. Ms. Berezowski’s research focuses on students’ experiences of the mental and physical health benefits of Yoga 11.

Christopher M. Gilham, St. Francis Xavier University

Christopher M. Gilham, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at St. Francis Xavier University. He teaches undergraduate courses in inclusion, mental health education and sociology of education. He also teaches graduate courses in current research in mental health education, mindfulness in education, and critical research literacy. Dr. Gilham’s research focusses on mental health literacy, inclusive education, and mindfulness in education.

Daniel B. Robinson, St. Francis Xavier University

Daniel B. Robinson, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Chair of Teacher Education at St. Francis Xavier University. He teaches undergraduate courses in elementary and secondary physical education curriculum and instruction. He also teaches graduate courses in current research in curriculum and instruction, administration of inclusive schools, curriculum theory, and school and teaching effectiveness. Dr. Robinson’s research focuses on culturally responsive physical education, gender and racialized minorities, service learning, and in-school health promotion programming.

Vol 10 No 2 (2017): Fostering Health and Well-Being in Education
Published
2017-07-05
How to Cite
Berezowski, K. A., Gilham, C. M., & Robinson, D. B. (2017). A Mindfulness Curriculum: High School Students’ Experiences of Yoga in a Nova Scotia School. LEARNing Landscapes, 10(2), 45-58. https://doi.org/10.36510/learnland.v10i2.800
Issue
Vol 10 No 2 (2017): Fostering Health and Well-Being in Education
Section
Articles