Fwd: Yoga for Our Children

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AdvancedYogaPractices , " yogani99 "

<yogani99> wrote:

 

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the

web

archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first

lesson is, " Why This Discussion? "

 

 

Q: I need a clarification related to sharing of the meditation

exercises with younger members of my family. Could you please let me

know if there is a minimum age to take up these exercises? Though

kids might not really understand the purpose, I feel it could help

them learn and react better to various situations in life. Are there

particular exercises we can teach them and some that we should not,

or should we wait for them to grow up (to around 20) before

suggesting any of these practices?

 

 

A: It is wonderful that you want to share meditation with your

children. There can be great benefits. Here is an overview that

looks

at the full scope of yoga practices in relation to age:

 

Easy " I AM " meditation can be practiced upon reaching 12-13. The

suggestion is to start out with 10 minutes maximum per twice-daily

sitting. If there is an undesirable result, too much purification,

then less time, or none, should be used until a year or two later,

and then try again. Too much purification is usually noticeable as

irritability and/or dullness in daily activity. Of course, with

teenagers and new hormones flowing, that may be happening anyway.

Daily meditation in the right dosage can be a help.

 

Note: Excessive purification can happen if the nervous system is

very

sensitive to meditation, which indicates a high spiritual

sensitivity -- a good thing, but it should be handled carefully

using

the principles of " self-pacing " covered in the lessons. Such extreme

sensitivity is uncommon, but it does happen, so the caution flag is

here for that. See lessons #160 and #200 for an example of extreme

sensitivity, and the utilization of self-pacing to handle it.

 

Once age 18 is reached, the time of meditation can be inched up 5

minutes at a time over several months to 20 minutes, as

comfortable.

By this time, the young practitioner will have an established

interest, or not, depending on individual karma and desire. Don't

force it. At this stage, it will be as much the inner condition of

the young practitioner that will determine the path as what the

parent can offer. Many children will drop meditation for a variety

of

reasons. But the seed is planted. The rest will be up to individual

desire in relation to the flow of nature and karma. This is true for

all of us, yes? The good news is that the spiritual tide is rising

everywhere. Everyone is becoming more attuned to their inner

transformation. So, any seeds that are planted these days are

certain

to germinate and grow to full blossom -- if not here and now, then

somewhere along the glimmering road of this life, or perhaps the

next

one. Our gift will not be wasted.

 

Light nadi shodana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing) can be

used by teenagers before meditation for 5 minutes, or so. It is a

common practice that can be learned almost anywhere -- it is covered

in the AYP book too. Nadi shodana can also be used in short sessions

by pre-teens (without meditation) if emotions need some soothing

influence. Alternate nostril breathing of 5-10 minutes several times

per day is good for that.

 

At age 18, nadi shodana can be replaced with spinal breathing,

inching the time up as appropriate, as discussed in the lessons.

Advanced pranayama-related methods (including spinal breathing,

kumbhaka, mudras, bandhas, chin pump, spinal bastrika, etc.) are for

expanding the sexual function upward into higher manifestation in

the

nervous system, and that is why techniques beyond easy meditation

and

light nadi shodana should not be used until puberty is past.

Spiritual transformation in the nervous system, expanding neuro-

biological functioning to express divine ecstasy, is like a second

puberty in many respects. One puberty at a time is enough! For some,

taking on full practices may be best much later than 18 years old.

For others sooner may be okay. Everyone is different, and you should

use your best judgment in making suggestions on this. Once spinal

breathing and meditation are progressive and stable, then going step

by step through the full range of practices can be undertaken

according to one's desire (bhakti) and capacity (self-pacing). This

is the adult stage, of course.

 

Light asanas can be undertaken, using good common sense, at any age.

Once sitting practice/meditation is begun, then asanas can be done

right before that. Asanas can be learned almost anywhere these days,

with children's classes becoming quite common. An " asana starter

kit "

is also included in the AYP book.

 

Regarding our youngest children, sharing our own rising inner

silence

in the form of overflowing loving service is the ideal yoga for

them.

They will benefit greatly, and be ready for practices when the time

comes, according to their own inclinations. Obviously, we cannot

dictate what another's inclinations will be -- even our own

children's. Everyone has their own journey to make. We can help a

lot, but we can't do it all for them. Let's be careful not to hem

our

kids into a practice routine that is not natural for them. Remember,

it is their inner silence that will ultimately determine their path

more than anything else.

 

One thing is for sure. The more we can progress in our own

practices,

the better it will be for our loved ones. That is how we can

stimulate

inner silence in everyone.

 

Wishing you and all your family success on your chosen paths.

 

The guru is in you.

 

http://www.geocities.com/advancedyogapractices

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