Effects of Sitting Meditation and Hatha Yoga in Adolescents

The present study was a randomized controlled trial that explored the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of short-term mindfulness training among adolescents. The primary purpose was to investigate the effectiveness of two main Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction components-sitting meditation and hatha yoga-on working memory, stress, anxiety and mindfulness. The influence of daily home practice compliance on intervention outcomes was also examined. Participants (N = 198 adolescents) were recruited from a large public middle school in southern California. Participants were randomly assigned to sitting meditation, hatha yoga, or a waitlist control group. Participants were asked to complete a computerized working memory task, and self-report measures of perceived stress, anxiety, and mindfulness at pre- and post-intervention/waitlist, as well as one-month follow-up. A series of mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were used to examine changes in working memory, stress, anxiety, and mindfulness between groups at pre- and post- intervention.

Inclusion criteria

• Students currently enrolled in school
• Between the ages of 12 - 17 years old
• English speaking-to understand and complete the measures
• Able to attend the weekly hatha yoga or sitting meditation sessions
• Not reporting any injuries or health condition(s) that might limit their physical activity

Exclusion criteria

• hearing impairments, injuries, or physical disabilities that would hinder them from fully participating in intervention