This project looked at the correlation between physical activity, specifically yoga, and students’ anxiety in their math class. The research objective was to determine if yoga reduces stress and anxiety and increases self-confidence in a mathematics classroom, specifically in first year Monmouth University math courses.
Students portrayed their feelings towards their mathematics class on a pre-activity survey, completed a short yoga session, and then answered the same questions on a post-activity survey. The yoga poses selected were those which focus on breathing and self-calming techniques. It was found that yoga made students less apprehensive about their upcoming math courses, assignments and exams. Many participants illustrated their dislike towards math, but expressed how the yoga session made them feel relaxed and more open to learning math.
This project can help create generalized ideas discussing if and/or how yoga and physical activity can change students’ confidence in math. This project can also lead to further studies on how physical activity in an educational classroom can affect students in different disciplines. Mathematics is not liked by many, so exploring different ways to engage students and interest them in learning math is important.