Recent research has good news for kids, teens, parents, and educators. Read all about how SKY Schools is making a difference in youth well-being.
A growing trend in risk reduction and positive youth development is providing adolescents with tools that calm and center them physically, such as yoga, martial arts, and meditation. A comprehensive program that includes biohacks, like SKY Breath and SKY Schools, improves Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Positive Youth Development (PYD) programs. However, few studies exist on this topic.
Since 2009, SKY Schools has offered comprehensive programs that add breathwork, yoga, and meditation to SEL and PYD curricula to more than 150,000 students across 27 states. The programs have had far-reaching, positive outcomes. The benefits include better emotional control, a big cut in anxiety, and improved concentration. Also, it increases social connection, enhances self-esteem, creates a stronger sense of self, improves academic performance, and reduces risk and problem behaviors such as substance abuse and aggression.
SKY Schools’ programs are multifaceted and designed to reduce risk and problem behaviors in youth. The program's cornerstone is a unique, standardized breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya (SKY). SKY is also easy to master. So far, the data on SKY use in teens is very encouraging.
More than one‐third of US teens do risky things which can cause harm to their mental and physical well-being. The SKY Schools’ program is needed now more than ever. Even youth without problems struggle with mental health and behavior issues. They simply are not thriving as they should.
A new study
A new study published in the highly respected Journal of Adolescence. found that the SKY Schools program significantly boosted multiple adolescent developmental assets and self-management skills, which are key to both psychological thriving and reducing risk behaviors, including substance use, violence, self-harm, eating disorders, and risky sexual behavior.
The US Department of Education funded this recent study, which was conducted by researchers from Nova Southeastern University's Lifelong Learning Institute, the University of Toronto, and Stanford University. The study was a trial of 79 urban eighth graders. They were presented with the SKY Schools program as fun and challenging via classroom presentations. Participation was voluntary.
Results
At the 13-week follow-up, SKY Schools’ graduates saw significant improvements in forming identity and a strong sense of self regarding who they are and where they are going in life. They also improved at focusing and planning. There was also a positive change in beliefs connected to social norms regarding aggression. These measures showed significant increases in emotional, behavioral, and cognitive skills. They also showed increases in resilience.
Resilience is especially important in youth. It is needed to avoid risk, pursue pro-social goals, and behave competently socially. Girls are usually hit hardest by mental health issues, and in this study, 57% of the students were female. Previous studies found that both boys and girls improved equally.
These results persisted at the three-month follow-up. The study also found that the students' attitudes toward aggression improved significantly over time.
The school administration also reported positive outcomes. By the end of the 12-week program, they saw less acting out, bullying, substance use, and absenteeism.
The school Principal reported, “In the last two weeks, we have had more problems with violent episodes and drug use than during the rest of the year combined, probably due to FCAT [state achievement test] pressure. Although there were a lot of problem students in the YES! Program [former name of SKY Schools], not one has gotten involved. That says a lot! I observed that students [who took YES!] handle anger and other issues differently. YES! teaches a solid tool that the students use. It gives them a concrete tool to calm their mind and find alternative solutions in times of stress and conflict they may not have been aware of”.
How does SKY help teens?
SKY Schools’ programs are distinctive. They include easy breathing techniques, which reduce stress, calm emotions, and improve focus. These techniques create calm and well-being.
Breath is part of the autonomic nervous system. This system controls heart rate, digestion, and breathing.
What is unique about SKY is that breathing is the only function we can control and offers a biohack that can activate a peaceful parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the rest and digest mode.
Additionally, SKY uses cyclic breathing patterns to release and harmonize emotions. Every emotion has its own breathing patterns, and breathing patterns can also affect emotions. In other words, emotions change breathing. And breathing changes emotions.
The calm state of mind gained from a SKY practice enhances the capacity to learn, retain, and execute the social-emotional skills needed most in times of stress. SKY also cultivates many assets that are key to thriving.
Summary
This information comes from the latest of several published studies showing similar benefits of the SKY Schools program across multiple genders, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses.
SKY Schools teach skills that take adolescents beyond being problem‐free. Their goal is to help them realize their full potential. Then, they can transition to thriving adulthood. They can better contribute to themselves, their family, community, and society.
In a world clouded by stress, anxiety, depression, and isolation, good news like this is a cause for celebration!
Visit here for more information about SKY Schools’ workshops. If you are a school administrator or educator, you can request a presentation here.
