SHAPE America National PE Standards
Comprehensive Alignment Guide forYoga in Physical Education
This comprehensive guide demonstrates how yoga aligns with the 2024 SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards, providing educators with a research-backed framework for integrating yoga into PE curricula.
Yoga fits beautifully into a well-rounded PE curriculum by supporting physical literacy and the development of social-emotional skills, cognitive understanding, and lifelong wellness habits. Our curriculum is specifically designed to meet all four SHAPE America standards.
Standard 1: Develops a Variety of Motor Skills
- Through yoga practice, students are introduced to, develop, and demonstrate a variety of postures (asanas) that build into flowing sequences of movement.
- Students develop spatial awareness (proprioception: the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and the force it exerts in space).
- Regular practice supports balance, agility, and coordination, particularly through the development of bilateral symmetry in both strength and flexibility.
- Over time, students build balance, coordination, muscle endurance, and strength while strengthening their overall body awareness.
Standard 2: Applies Knowledge Related to Movement and Fitness Concepts
Yoga embodies this standard. Yoga is considered a practice and no matter how long you have been practicing yoga, there is another layer to unveil and discover. The 5 Components of Fitness and 6 Components of skill can all be developed and practiced within well-rounded comprehensive curriculum.
- As students gain yoga experience, they develop awareness of both their physical and emotional space. Mats act as personal "desks," helping students respect one another's space and time.
- Students learn and demonstrate posture progressions, including both dynamic and non-dynamic movements.
- They learn to assess, modify, and adapt postures (asanas) to meet their daily needs. Creating the knowledge base for lifelong fitness.
- Students apply their knowledge by teaching peers, moving safely within the space, and practicing awareness of others.
- Students can identify strengths in themselves and others and areas for improvement. They can apply this knowledge when engaging in partner and group yoga. By being able to place themselves and encourage others to be in specific parts of the partner or group pose. Creating an atmosphere of teamwork and success for all.
Standard 3: Develops Social Skills Through Movement
Yoga can be considered a "language" as it crosses all cultures. People recognize what is being done and will often join in or politely observe. May times in my travels, when I'm practicing, I get lots of questions and people asking to join the practice.
- Students develop self-awareness, self-respect, and self-acceptance, which support positive interactions with peers.
- They practice identifying and communicating their own strengths and those of others when working together.
- Students learn to adapt postures and activities to meet their daily needs, keeping themselves and classmates safe and injury-free.
Standard 4: Develops Personal Skills, Identifies Personal Benefits of Movement and Chooses to Engage in Physical Activity
Yoga is a discipline. For the benefits to sustain themselves, a committed, regular practice is needed.
- A regular yoga practice requires consistency and commitment.
- Students learn responsibility as they make time for their practice, and this discipline often extends into academics, personal goals, and other responsibilities.
Ready to Bring Yoga to Your PE Program?
Explore our comprehensive video library and start implementing these standards-aligned practices in your classroom today.