Ever since the development of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator during WWII, there has been great interest and debate regarding psychological preferences and cognitive style. One underlying theme, however, is present: people demonstrate various strengths and weaknesses in the ways they acquire, retain, and organize information.
Individuals may prefer concrete experiences or abstract theories, use reflective observation more often than active experimentation, or tend toward random or sequential organization patterns. Knowing your favoured style allows you to capitalize on strengths and adapt the learning process and techniques to greater advantage. Furthermore, learning styles theories continually support the integration of various approaches in order for learning to be most effective.
Marsha Wenig’s YogaKids program is based on the eight intelligences all people exhibit as explained in Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory, developed in 1983. Marsha’s work demonstrates how the eight intelligences relate to yoga, and how basic asanas can stimulate multiple intelligences simultaneously.
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Eight Intelligences Verbal/Linguistic Logical/mathematical Visual/spatial Body/kinesthetic Musical/rhythmic Interpersonal Intrapersonal Naturalist |
Yoga can be applied across the curriculum, and can promote greater learning through incorporating numerous abilities and senses. When students’ senses are involved in more ways they integrate learning and experiences and retain this acquired knowledge much more readily. One example of this which engages verbal, visual, body and naturalist intelligences is to discuss the unique qualities and breeds of dogs, using a photo of a dog, then perform Downward Dog pose. You may even want to enjoy this very brief video of doga (dog yoga).
I’ve found that children will remember a pose even two years later, with no re-enforcement during that time, after having taught yoga in this manner. The contextual nature of the yoga and the kinesthetic performance of the asanas work hand in hand to support learning and retention.
Yoga truly rises to the challenge of being a physical activity, which reinforces and enlarges the classroom experience. Try yoga today with your students and explore the many ways it can incorporate a variety of learning styles to meet curriculum requirements. Visit the page Yoga Classroom for curriculum applications, yoga games and more.
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Great blog! Completely and more wonderfully expands on the little blog about this topic I posted a week or so ago titled, [link="http://childlightyoga.blogspot.com/2009/08/finding-right-yoga-teacher-for-your.html"]“Finding the Right Yoga Teacher for Your Child”[/link]
at [link="http://www.childlightyoga.blogspot.com] our Blog.[/link]
Every teacher (and parent, for that matter) should have some understanding of the various intelligences and learning styles of our children – and ourselves!