A five-week yoga program at South Wigston High School in Leicester has led to significant improvements in the mental wellbeing of participating students. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) and the South Leicestershire School Sports Partnership (SLSSP), aimed to tackle rising mental health issues among local teens, particularly among female students.
HealthWatch Leicestershire revealed that 38% of teenage girls in the area reported experiencing anxiety and self-harm. In response, the program invited a selected group of girls from Years 7 to 9 to engage in weekly yoga sessions designed to improve emotional resilience and overall mental health.
Led by Lucy Pearce, a qualified BWY instructor from Desford, the sessions incorporated gentle movement and breathing exercises specifically aimed at managing stress. The impact of the program was measurable; students reported an average stress level reduction from 3.56 to 2.38 on a five-point scale. Additionally, mood scores improved from 3.44 to 2.50, while energy levels rose from 3.22 to 3.88.
Participants also noted enhancements in sleep quality, concentration, and emotional regulation. Principal Sara Fletcher praised the program’s effectiveness, stating, “The impact of this yoga program has been transformative for students. We’ve seen increased engagement in lessons and students reporting that they feel calmer and more focused. This complements our wellbeing strategy and offers practical tools our young people can use throughout their lives.”
Peter Tydlesley, CEO of BWY, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the clear improvements observed in the students’ ability to manage stress and improve their overall wellbeing within just five weeks. He argued that such programs should be considered by all schools as effective tools for fostering emotional resilience among students.
Due to the success of this initiative, BWY and SLSSP are now exploring the possibility of expanding the program to additional schools across Leicestershire, potentially aiding hundreds more young people in the region. The report on this initiative further highlights the pressing need for mental health support in educational environments, particularly in light of rising anxiety and self-harm rates among adolescents.
