Iowa State University Extension

Problem:
The nation’s public health crisis includes an increased obesity rate, stress related illness is on the rise and children’s mental and physical health concerns are going unmet. Research shows that mind body exercises increases the quality of mental, physical and emotional health in adults and children.

Response:
In partnership with the Linn County Parent Education Consortium, ISU Extension introduced the Body Mindfulness pilot program for employees at Goodwill Industries, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Seven parents, representing 8 children ages 15 months to 14 years of age, participated in 2 one-hour lunch and learn sessions focused on “Body Mindfulness Parenting” taught by Kristi Cooper, Family Life Specialist, Iowa State University Extension. Participants learned several things by participating in the class including:

• the history and different types of yoga,
• benefits of yoga for adults and children,
• personal calming techniques such as breathing,
• simple movement,
• and ways to help children become in tune with their bodies.
  
  

Impact:
All participants planned to use it for their own personal practice or with their children. Of the parents who tried it after the first session, reports of fun family time, calmer behavior of children and calmer mental states of parents prevailed. Over half of participants planned to obtain resources on body mindfulness related material to use with their family. Of the movement and breathing exercises 86% (6/7) felt breathing was very effective.

Participants rated their physical energy level, mental clarity, stress/anxiety level on a 10 point scale, with one being low and 10 being high, before and after the session. The group’s average physical energy level increased from 5.5 to 6.08. The group’s average mental clarity increased from 5.29 to 6.7.

The group’s average stress/anxiety level decreased from 7.08 to 5.67. The participants were also asked to set a personal intention or expectation of what they wanted to gain from the class.

At the end of the class, all participants felt they had moved toward their goal (average score was 6.43). One parent shared a story about a stressful situation with a child and while popping her forehead, lamented “I could have had a Body Mindfulness moment!” This portrayal of a popular commercial (V8) about making a healthy choice, symbolizes what each parent shared about how they may interact with their children using body mindfulness practices instead of other less effective parental responses.

Contact:
Kristi Cooper
Linn County Extension
3279 7th Ave., Ste 140
Marion, IA 52302
319-377-9839
kcoop@iastate.edu