Yoga to help children de-stress

The classes have had good feedback from pupils and staff

Yoga lessons are being held in some south London schools to help pupils de-stress and improve their performance.

Children attending five schools in Lambeth will also undertake lessons in aromatherapy, tai chi, nutrition and peer massage.

The sessions are part of a pilot project designed to improve the health and well-being of youngsters.

If successful the complementary skills programme will be rolled out to all schools in the borough.

The project was developed by the Lambeth Education Business Partnership team in response to the government agenda to promote health.

'Calmer' children

Henryka Handzlik, a business development manager from the team, told BBC News Online: "It's all about encouraging people to take responsibility for their own health, emotional health and well-being.

"As stress is something that affects everyone, the programme will allow children to be able to manage it if they are ever faced with stress in life situations."

Children at Christchurch, Crown Lane, Woodmansterne, Stockwell and Loughborough schools are taking part in the activities over the next five weeks.

Miss Handzlik said: "We chose pupils from years two, five and six as it was thought they were going through a progression in life and would be faced with changes.

"The response has been very positive from both staff and children.

"They seemed to really enjoy it and the teachers said many of the children were a lot calmer afterwards."

Once an evaluation of the scheme has been carried out the Lambeth Education Business Partnership hopes to secure funding to make it available to all schools in the area.