Bewegung, Entspannung und Meditation: Yoga im DaF-Unterricht

Abstract

Schools and universities are facing a new generation of students who struggle both with the challenging culture of stress and an increased deprivation of somatic learning opportunities. The sensations of disembodiment experienced by learners due to increased stress levels and electronic overload, often cause feelings of dissociation that have a negative impact on their learning. This article thus presents a way to establish the connection between the mind, body, and language that can help students to counter the negative onslaught of stress and sedentary lifestyle. The use of movement, relaxation, and concentration with the help of yoga elements encourages and sustains a body-mind integration that offers learners of German a somatic learning experience in which information comes to them through both the body and mind. The proposed yoga activities serve as tools for students to comprehend and speak German in a relaxed atmosphere that enables them to self-regulate their stress levels and fully dedicate their attention to the learning process.