Yoga, Empowerment & Service Plus (YES+)

A INTEGRATIVE COLLEGE PROGRAM FOR STRESS-REDUCTION, WELL-BEING & PRODUCTIVITY

Humanitarian, United Nations-chartered educational NGO

Commitment to promoting human values globally

College program:

YES+ ProgramYoga, Empowerment & Service Plus

Educators’ Program for faculty & staff

Currently offered for credit at

- Cornell University

Currently offered through Health Services at

- Stanford University

- the University of Wisconsin-Madison

YES+ PROGRAMYOGA, EMPOWERMENT & SERVICE PLUS

WHY ADDRESS STUDENT WELL-BEING?

In 2008, 26,685 college students across 40 campuses were surveyed by the American College Health Association

The survey found that 59.7% of students felt “very lonely” 63.7% felt “very sad” 30.6% felt “so depressed it was difficult to function”

Impaired immunity & health (e.g. sleep problems, illness) cognitive function (concentration, focus)

Increased anger/irritability anxiety and depression fatigue/exhaustion cellular aging

Unhealthy coping mechanisms e.g. alcohol, drugs

Negative emotions are linked to negative health outcomes E.g. anger & cardiovascular disease (Suarez, 2004)

SOCIAL CONNECTEDNESS

a fundamental human need psychological well-being physical health, recovery, survival

Lack of Social Connectedness:

anxiety, depression, suicide health risks comparable to smoking,

blood pressure & obesity antisocial behavior

Baumeister & Leary, 1995 ; Berkman & Syme, 1979; Brown, et al. 2003; Cacioppo, et al. 2002)

1 in 4 Americans has no one to talk to about personal problems… (McPherson, Smith-Lovin, & Brashears, 2006)

Ages 18-24

6-day intensive 28+ hr program + weekly follow-up sessions

Easily integrates into the curriculum: E.g. at Cornell University, YES!+ is

offered through the Department of Physical Education

Yoga & Breathing Techniques Stress-reduction and relaxation Concentration Increased energy

Empowerment Skills for handling emotions and life’s

challenges Responsible leadership

Community Service Self-confidence Sense of connection to others Well-being and compassion

The students bond in an environment that fosters healthy social connection & bonding:

Relaxed Friendly Fun Non-judgmental & Accepting Alcohol & drug free Service-oriented

Academic skills & techniques for Focus Concentration Clear thinking Positive Engagement with Academics

Cornell UniversityCornell University Virginia TechVirginia Tech

“Although the course was especially good in helping us

deal with our emotions related to the shootings, it also had

great value in teaching us how to deal with everyday stress

and emotions”

- Dr. Linda VickAcademic & Career Advisor

STUDENT COUNSELING SERVICE

“I feel centered, more open and feel better able to serve my clients and be a better partner. I think it has helped me be more balanced. I think everyone could benefit from the tools we learned.”

Kristin Clemens , Psychologist

“Positive course, all the breathing exercises were good and enjoyable, very good teacher. I would recommend the course YES+, especially for college students.”

Sara Ou-Young, Counselor

TEXAS A & MTEXAS A & M

Decreased

Stress (Davidson et al., 2003; Kjellgren et al., 2007)

Cortisol , the “stress hormone” (Davidson et al., 2003; Vedamurthachar, 2006)

Anxiety & depression (Janakiramaiah et al., 2000)

Blood pressure & heart rate (Grossman et al., 2001; Sakakibara et al., 1996; Telles et al., 1992)

Increased

Well-being (Davidson et al., 2003; Kjellgren et al., 2007)

Mental focus (Bhatia et al., 2003; Jella et al., 1993, Naveen et al., 1997)

Immune Function (Davidson et al, 2003; Sharma et al., 2003)

RESEARCH ON EFFECTS OF BREATHING TECHNIQUES & MEDITATION

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY?

EDUCATORS PROGRAM

We can offer similar stress-management programs to faculty & staff.

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS?