Introduce Mindfulness and Yoga to Schools Says Councillor

Introduce Mindfulness and Yoga to Schools Says Councillor Writes Leo McMahon

Yoga and Mindfulness should be introduced as a pilot scheme in the Junior Certificate curriculum, said Cllr Michael Frick Murphy (SF) at a recent meeting of Cork County Council. His proposal that the Minister for Education be written to with a view to eventually introducing it to all second level schools was unanimously supported. ‘According to the World Health Organisation, mental health problems are the largest source of ill health in our young people. Seventy five per cent of all mental illness begins before the age of 25 years of age. More Irish teenagers suffer stress in school than in any other developed country and two thirds suffer anxiety and about being well prepared before exams and 63% get anxious about tests,’ said the Passage West based councillor who concluded: ‘I believe that yoga and mindfulness can only help alleviate this.’ Cllr Eoghan Jeffers (SF) seconding, said yoga and mindfulness offered a niche at second level for those who didn’t play sports as well as dealing with stress. The motion was adopted.