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Middle School yoga class stretches beyond physical education requirements

Originally published Feb. 4, 2019 in DailyTrib.com.

By Daniel Clifton

The girls streamed into Marble Falls Middle School teacher Trenton DeSpain’s classroom, bringing with them all of the worries seventh-graders carry, some more serious than others.

“Some of the things they worry about are why this person or that person didn’t talk to them, but some of the things they deal with are a lot bigger,” DeSpain explained. Read More

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How can physical activity help a child do better in school?

Originally published Nov. 5, 2018 by BBC Sport.

By Andy Daly-Smith

Did you know that children are expected to achieve 60 minutes of health-enhancing physical activity every day, 30 minutes of which should occur during school?

Only one in ten achieve the in-school target; only one in five achieve the whole-day target, with many spending at least nine hours sitting every day. Read More

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Don’t skip gym: Physical education important to learning, academic success

Originally published June 23, 2018 by WRVO Public Media.

By the WRVO Take Care Staff

With the demand for schools to focus more on academics and less on gym class, many districts in the U.S. have cut back students’ physical education times or eliminated them completely. However, an author and authority on the connection between brain activity and fitness said the two goals of fitness and academic success are not mutually exclusive.

Dr. John Ratey, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and internationally recognized expert on neuropsychiatry, spoke with “Take Care” about the importance of physical exercise on brain development, especially when it comes to adolescents. Read More

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Activity program improves students’ physical and emotional well-being

Originally published Jan. 1, 2019 by WCAX-TV.

A nationwide program from The American Heart Association is trying to keep students active in school, and address both their physical and emotional well-being. Chris Martinez shows us how it’s helping get students in Los Angeles on a healthy track for life.

For kids at LA’s Fairburn Elementary School, every morning starts with a workout. Read More