Guest guest Posted October 30, 2006 Report Share Posted October 30, 2006 Thank you very much, I am very pleased to hear from you. I have actually just this minute transferred the money to ICYER for the correspondance course and it is perfect timing that you reassure me so well. I am excited and interested at the fullness of the 6 month immersion in yoga. I will be in Chiang mai for the next month. Please let me know when you will be coming here and we can meet for a chat. Thanks again Olly > " Michael Deslippe " <mikedeslippe > > >Re: I am deeply interested >Sat, 21 Oct 2006 15:51:52 +0700 > >Hi Oliver, > >My name is Michael and I am a graduate of the ICYER 6 month residency >program. I'm writing because I noticed that you are in Chiang Mai. As >luck >would have it, I am also in this part of the world. I actually stay about >25 kms outside of Chiang Mai, past Doi Saket, toward Chiang Rai. I usually >come into Chiang Mai about once a week, so if you would like to talk about >the ICYER correspondence course and/or the Ananda Ashram experience, let me >know and I'd be happy to meet with you some time. > >I assure you that by " Ashtanga Yoga " , we are referring to the Classical >8-limbs (Ashta Means " 8 " , and Anga means " limb " ) as outlined in Patanjali's >Yoga Sutras, which bears no resemblance to the Mysore Ashtanga exercise >program. They have completely misappropriated the word ashtanga and caused >great confusion as a result. Swami Gitananda Giri teaches in the lineage >of >the Bengali Tantric, Rishi Brighu, a form of Varma Marga Tantra, which >deals >with a great number of physical techniques geared toward higher >realizations. Swami Gitananda, in particular, engages in one of the most >well-developed approaches to pranayama, and the system of Asanas and kriyas >taught at ICYER is, in my opinion, one of the most well-developed and >practical approaches to the " physical aspects of Yoga " that I've come >across. There is a highly intellectual bent to the study of Yoga at ICYER >as well, and one of the most gratifying aspects of my time there was an >immersion into traditional Hindu culture and an appreciation for the deeper >elements within Indian society as they both support and nurture the higher >life. > >Anyhow, I can certainly tell you about my experiences and such, so feel >free >to email me any time. > >Yours in Yoga, > >Michael > > >- > " Oliver Thorne " <ollyboy007 > >Wednesday, October 18, 2006 5:36 PM > I am deeply interested > > > > > > Thank you. > > > > I am trying to keep up to date with your regular goup mails, I find the > > current one on children extremely beneficial to my current situation. > > > > Here in Chiang mai, Thailand. I am involved in teaching Aikido(A >japanese > > martial art based on harmony) to children. They are all living in a > > orphanage and all have long term illness'. It is really a heart opening > > situation. I am teaching within the University. Donating what time i >have, > > for teaching students in the evening and the children on sunday. > > > > I have often thought of yoga for children and its benefits. I use yoga > > stretching in warm ups and warm downs and see the benefits for the > > children > > (and adults of course) > > > > I thank you greatly for your continued emails, I would like to know how >i > > would pay for the one year distance preperation course? And also how do > > you > > describe the classical ashtanga you teach? Is it along the lines of > > Mysore(Ashtanga)? As this does not over appeal to me. > > How do you see yoga and the use of the body towards the goals of yoga? > > > > Thank you. Yours faithfully > > > > Olly > > > > > > > >> " Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Bhavanani " <yognat2001 > >> > >> , bgv_alumni , maitreyi >1 > >><maitreyi9, geetha anjali <geethakrish_s, Vivek > >>arasan <vivekandal2002, Bharathi-Shankari > >><gaymasa2006, Ananda Bhavanani <pondy_yoga, > >>Vijeya Center <info, Lakshmi Dhanaraj > >><lakshmi_dhanaraj, vimala dhanaraj <vim_asteya, > >>Anu Garg <anu675, nevedha kannan <free2coins, > >>samiksha kapoor <kapoor_samiksha, " kaviarasans " > >><kaviarasans, krishna_137_veni ><krishna_137_veni, > >> " kumaran.g kumaran " <kumaranji_g, madavan m > >><karurmadavan, dr Jonn Mumford ><drjonnm, > >>daya nidy <dayanidy, padma prashanthini > >><diamonde14, swati priyadarshini ><swati_darshini, > >>meena ramanathan <saineema, " reenajoseph_214 " > >><reenajoseph_214, Ghayathri Shivakumar > >><mydivinefriends, Thribuvan <thribv, Manish > >>Tiwari > >><manish15j75, Madanmohan Trakroo ><drmadanmohan123, > >>Kaviraj Udupa <kaviraj_udupa, Kaviraj Udupa > >><kaviu2k, yennae vaenume <yaruneee, devender > >>verma <devender123, " Maricel Salao \[MaxLifestyle.net\] " > >><maricel, Yoga in Asia <info, Swami > >>Veda > >>Bharati <tadit369, " bulletin " > >><bulletin, Kutcheri Buzz <editor, > >>Health Centre <avhealth, International Dance Council >- > >>CID <president, Nick Davies-Jones > >><nick, Debjani <debjani, > >> " debjani_dutta " <debjani_dutta, Bosco > >>Dominique <boscodominique, Bosco Dominique > >><boscodominique, Dr Gopalji <drgopalji, Dr > >>Gopalji <info, Dr S Murali <smurali1234, > >> " go " <go, gopalji > >><dr_gopalji, shashank gupta <asian_yoga, Mystic > >>India <mysticindiamag, " indiandance " > >><indiandance, " info " ><info, > >> " info. " <info, shruti jayaraman > >><shrujay3, barnaby johnson <sibarnaby, >Lauren > >>Ladoceour <lladoceour, AK Lakshman <aklakshman, > >>Narthaki <narthakionline, News Pondicherry > >><newspondicherry_1, Newspondy <kamakshee, > >>Newspondy <newsmurugan, Dipa Ramakrishnan > >><diparamakrishnan, " secretariatyoga " > >><secretariatyoga >, Seenu <yatra, >sekar > >><sekar, " Dr. Prerak Shah " <prerakayu, >Shri > >>SK Vinayagem <vinayagem, Shri Vinayagem > >><vinayagem, sruti <sruti, thanjavur sundaram > >><beeyemsundaram, supertape <supertape, > >> " talk2us " <talk2us, >TattvalokaW > >><info, " tvsankaranarayanan " > >><tvsankaranarayanan, > " worldyogachampionship " > >><worldyogachampionship >, " yoga_ccryn " > >><yoga_ccryn, Yogamates <info > >> YOGA FOR HEALTH IN CHILDREN > >>Wed, 18 Oct 2006 00:19:59 -0700 (PDT) > >> > >>YOGA FOR HEALTH IN CHILDREN By Yogacharya Dr. Ananda BalaYogi > >>Bhavanani, MBBS, ADY, DSM, DPC, PGDFH, PGDY, FIAY, > >> Chairman INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR YOGA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, and > >>YOGANJALI NATYALAYAM, Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-13 > >>------------- > >> SUMMARY: Yoga has a lot to offer children in terms of their health >as > >>well as complete well being. Yoga offers us a tool by which we can >provide > >>a safe and healthy future for our beloved children. Yoga is both > >>preventive > >>as well as therapeutic for health problems that face children and is >also > >>rehabilitative in many situations. It is also important to understand >the > >>special needs of the children when teaching them Yoga and methods to > >>create > >>interest in them for this great jewel of our cultural heritage. Yoga >helps > >>children cultivate conscious awareness and increases self-awareness and > >>self-confidence. This article describes the health needs of children, as > >>well as the benefits of Yoga for children. In addition, the author > >>describes ways by which the teaching of Yoga for children can be more > >>meaningful as experienced in Ananda Ashram at Pondicherry. Benefits of > >>Yoga > >>Sport in stimulating children to take up the practice of Yoga is >described > >>along with important Yoga > >> practices for children such as play Yoga, Asanas, Pranayamas, Kriyas, > >>Mudras, relaxation and teaching of Yoga theory. Yogic values need to be > >>introduced to children in order to make them aware and conscious of >these > >>wonderful concepts of daily living, which are qualities to be imbibed >with > >>joy, and not learnt with fear or compulsion. The parents and teachers >can > >>by example show their children the importance of these qualities and >when > >>the children see the good examples of their parents and teachers living > >>there principles they will surely follow suit sooner than later. > >> INTRODUCTION: " Children are the wealth of tomorrow- take care >of > >>them if you wish to have a strong India " ---Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru > >> The health of children has become a matter of great concern all over > >> the > >>world and the WHO, UNO as well as UNESCO have been stressing the > >>importance > >>of developing the potential that is there in our greatest resource-the > >>children of the world. The art and science of Yoga has a lot to offer >for > >>the children in terms of their health as well as complete well being. >Yoga > >>offers us a tool by which we can provide a safe and healthy future for >our > >>beloved children. Yoga is both preventive as well as therapeutic for > >>health > >>problems that face children and is also rehabilitative in many >situations. > >>It is also important to understand the special needs of the children >when > >>teaching them Yoga and methods to create interest in them for this great > >>jewel of our cultural heritage. > >> Yoga helps children cultivate conscious awareness and increases > >>self-awareness and self-confidence. It teaches children to be gentle >with > >>themselves and others and develops focus and concentration. It also > >>develops balance and mental equilibrium along with discipline and a love > >>of > >>learning. It improves performance in all areas of life, including > >>schoolwork and relieves stress while providing a greater sense of >general > >>well-being. A regular practice of Yoga increases flexibility, > >>coordination, > >>and strength of the children and assists in the performance of sports > >>activities > >> > >> HEALTH NEEDS OF CHILDREN: > >> Children are a unique segment of our population and have very >specific > >>health needs. It is pitiable that more than 40% of deaths are seen in >the > >>child population under the age of 5 years. Childhood is the age of both > >>physical and mental growth and also has stressful periods such as >puberty > >>and adolescence that affect the health of the growing child and youth. > >> Some of the important health problems facing the child population >are: > >> 1. Growth and endocrine disorders > >> 2. Infectious diseases > >> 3. Handicaps > >> a. Physical handicaps > >> b. Neurological handicaps > >> c. Sensory handicaps > >> d. Social handicaps > >> 4. Congenital disorders > >> 5. Chronic diseases of the respiratory tract and heart > >> 6. Neurological disorders > >> 7. Liver and renal disorders > >> 8. Psychological disorders > >> 9. Skin diseases > >> 10. Children also need an outlet for their creativity and >abundant > >>energy and if this youthful energy isn't canalized properly it may >result > >>in various socially deviant behaviors such as truancy and juvenile > >>delinquency. > >> > >> BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR CHILDREN: > >> 1. Prevention is better than cure: The practice of Yoga from early > >>childhood helps prevent numerous disorders and even if the disorders or > >>disease does occur at a later stage of life, the child would have the > >>knowledge as well as the wherewithal to apply the practice necessary to > >>control, limit or cure the health problem. Improved immunity is a well > >>documented benefit of Yoga practice and this strengthened immunity in > >>addition to the Yogic hygiene and cleanliness developed through practice > >>of > >>Yama and Niyama helps prevent numerous infections from settling down in > >>the > >>child's system. > >> 2. At the physical level Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras and Pranayama > >>stabilize and balance the energies of the children and thus contribute >to > >>a > >>proper usage of this energy. This is important as otherwise the energies > >>of > >>the child get used up in trivial and unhealthy pursuits of modern life. > >> 3. Yoga helps to develop all systems of the human body > >>(cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, eliminative, endocrine, nervous > >>and musculoskeletal) thus strengthening, cleansing and purifying the >body > >>so that it is brought under our conscious will. Various disorders such >as > >>Asthma and Diabetes can be controlled by a regular practice of Yoga. > >> 4. Children suffering from ATHD (attention deficit hyperactivity > >>disorder) as well as mental retardation and other mental disabilities >can > >>be helped by a practice of the Asanas and Pranayamas that help develop > >>better coordination, concentration, mental calmness as well as attention > >>span. In children having epilepsy, Yoga helps to reduce the duration and > >>frequency as well as the severity of the attack. Yoga has also been >shown > >>to reduce anxiety and aggressive behaviour in children. > >> 5. In Yoga, all possible body positions are explored and the body >is > >>exercised standing, sitting, lying down (front, side and back) and even > >>upside down! This creates an acute awareness of the entire body, > >>strengthens the body systems and develops flexibility of the body. > >> 6. Yoga is isometric and internal. It is a contest between our > >>inherent inertia and the power of the will. Parts of the body are pitted > >>against one another and a unique harmony of body, mind and breath is > >>developed. This internal struggle when handled successfully deepens the > >>consciousness of not only the working of the body but also of the mind >and > >>emotions. > >> 7. Pressure created on the internal organs during various Asanas > >> such > >>as Pavanamuktasana, Karnapidasana and Ardha Matsyendrasana helps tone up > >>the entire abdominal area and all organs therein. This helps in >relieving > >>functional abdominal pain, juvenile diabetes mellitus and other hepatic > >>and > >>renal disorders of childhood. > >> 8. Yoga seeks balance, which is lacking in most other sporting > >>activity. A tennis player may develop the muscles of the dominant arm >but > >>the rest of the body is neglected. Through Yoga all aspects of the body > >>are > >>cultivated equally. Flexibility, balance, control, strength and >endurance > >>are all developed by the concept of Loma Viloma, which means to balance > >>the > >>opposites. For example, if we bend forward then we must bend backward > >>also. > >>If we perform a practice on the right side then we must balance it by > >>performing it on the left side also. Children suffering handicaps >benefit > >>form these types of balanced practices that help them to improve and > >>sometimes regain lost power and function of the affected body part. >Polio > >>affected limbs as well as paralysed limbs can be benefited immensely as > >>Yoga is able to give a sense of direction in this regard. > >> 9. In the science of Yoga, body movement and breath must be > >>synchronized. The body is lifted on the incoming breath and lowered on >the > >>outgoing breath. Bhastrikas or the 'bellows breath' activate the solar > >>plexus, which is an energy reservoir, as well as strengthen the >diaphragm > >>thus producing strength, vitality and endurance. Pranayamas such as Mukh > >>Bhastrika stimulate the internal cleansing of toxins. Breath is directly > >>related to the energy levels, life span, quality of emotions, state of > >>mind > >>and the clarity and subtlety of thoughts. This use of breath power with > >>the > >>body can bring about revolutionary effects on the performance of the >child > >>and improve their state of mind, emotions and all round health. > >>Concentration, memory and attention span are all improved thus leading >to > >>improved academic performance in slow learners. > >> 10. Pranayama has been shown to improve lung function, heart > >>function, cognition and helps develop an integrated personality. > >>Pranayamas > >>also help in improving memory and attention span as well as in reducing > >>the > >>stress levels. > >> 11. Children are prone to glandular imbalance and Yoga stimulates > >>and strengthens the endocrine system and it counteracts the body > >>stiffness, > >>changes in skin tone and hair, which are common problems due to >glandular > >>imbalance. Proper and proportional growth and development are helped by > >>the > >>Yoga practise that utilised all body parts equally. Yoga has a >homeostatic > >>influence on the psycho-neuro-immuno-endocrine system and thus both the > >>hypo as well as the hyper functioning of the system is controlled and > >>equilibrium is attained. This fosters positive and anabolic growth in >the > >>children so that the genetic potential can be attained in fullness of > >>time. > >> 12. The inculcation of Yogic values such as Yama and Niyama can >go > >> a > >>long way in preventing numerous problems that will face the children as > >>they mature and grow into young adults. Social life becomes much better > >>and > >>more pleasant when the children learn the values of Yama and Niyama. >Such > >>children will also influence their elders by stimulating them to have a > >>second look at their decadent life styles and try to change for the > >>better. > >>The Yamas when practiced provide much mental solace and ethical strength > >>to > >>the children in the face of numerous competitions while the Niyamas > >>produce > >>the stoic qualities necessary for high-tension situations. Children > >>brought > >>up with a deep and intuitive understanding of the Yoga qualities will > >>never > >>become asocial or anti social beings and will have a positive self image > >>of > >>themselves. They will be able to relate to the society in an apt manner > >>and > >>foster humane attitudes. Substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and other > >>social > >> disorders that plague modern youth can be prevented as well as > >> controlled > >>through the inculcation of these values in childhood as well as in > >>educational institutions. > >> 13. Yogic concepts such as 'non attachment to the fruits of one's > >>labour' and 'equal mindedness in victory and defeat' are important > >>attitudes in life and when children learn such values from an > >>impressionable age they are then free from anxiety and can be confident > >>that they have done their best at all times. Such persons have a much > >>better chance of success than one who looks upon the competition as a >life > >>and death situation. Only a 'quiet mind' and 'controlled body' can >produce > >>real 'skill in action'. > >> 14. The whole philosophy of Yoga can constitute a 'touch stone' >for > >>children who find themselves lost when the spotlight dims or shifts its > >>focus to another child. > >> 15. Yoga has a lot to offer to children through the field of > >>relaxation. In the real world, there is a lot of PUSH, PUSH and PUSH. > >>There > >>is very little room for relaxation in the arena. Yoga teaches us that > >>there > >>has to be balance. The concept is known as 'Spanda-Nishpanda' or > >>'exertion-relaxation-exertion-relaxation' in an alternating rhythm. The > >>art > >>of relaxation as taught in Yoga can provide a counterfoil to the extreme > >>stress of competitive pressures, fostering mental, emotional and >physical > >>health. > >> 16. A more conscious and aware outlook of the whole phenomenon of > >>human life on earth will make the child a more valuable member of the > >>human > >>social unit. > >> 17. Finally they may be unable to continue other sporting > >> activities > >>throughout their life but can definitely continue the practice of Yoga > >>till > >>a very ripe age that they will attain through living Yoga! > >> > >> > >> > >> TEACHING YOGA TO CHILDREN > >> Many children get 'put off' by Yoga when they encounter Yoga teachers > >>who don't know the needs of children and try to treat them as 'mini > >>adults'. The following points are important when trying to introduce the > >>Yoga to this age group. > >> 1. Yoga is fun. This is the feeling children should have when they > >>enter a Yoga class. Yoga games, play Yoga, simple animal poses and >animal > >>movements as well as an opportunity to make animal sounds as in the >Simha > >>Nada or Gardhabakriya are very important to create and sustain interest >in > >>the children. > >> 2. Yoga must be presented in a wholistic manner and essay as well >as > >>elocution presentations on Yoga must be encouraged to stimulate interest > >>in > >>the 'concepts of Yoga' > >> 3. Fancy dress as well as drawing and art events based on Yoga >also > >>help stimulate their creativity and their understanding of Yoga is > >>deepened. > >> 4. Emphasis should be on movement initially and the worst thing to > >> do > >>is to put them in an Asana for too long a time at the beginning. I once > >>had > >>a Yoga teacher at school that put the children in Sirsasana for 5 >minutes > >>at the start of every class and the children were totally put off on >Yoga > >>for life. > >> 5. The correlation between breath and movement must be emphasized. > >>This will also help the children to occupy their mind in the present as > >>well as balance their emotional and mental instabilities. > >> 6. Adequate relaxation at the end of the class is a must as that >is > >>the time of the class that they get the maximum benefits of all the > >>practices. Rewards should be given for the children who can stay in the > >>relaxation with out moving etc to give them a goal that they can strive >to > >>attain. > >> 7. A 'carrot' approach is to be followed by offering small rewards > >>for discipline, performance as well regularity in class to motivate the > >>children to continue their practice. > >> 8. Advise on diet and avoidance of the pitfalls of modern vices >must > >>be explained in a jovial manner to help them inculcate the values in >their > >>daily life. > >> 9. Periodic discussions with the parents are important to gauge >the > >>response of the child to the Yoga class. Any difficulties can be >clarified > >>and home practice checked. > >> 10. An attitude of helping parents and elders through the concept > >> of > >>Karma Yoga should be encouraged to build a happy family > >> 11. Parents should be encouraged to take up a practice of Yoga as > >>then the Yoga family can practice together and this emotional and > >>psychical > >>bonding will go a long way in fostering wonderful relations at home. A > >>happy home makes a happy child. > >> 12. Importance of prayer and the power of the Mantra can be >taught > >>to the children at the appropriate time, as this will give them >emotional > >>and mental strength. > >> 13. We must never forget that the antenatal period of the mother >is > >>an important contributor to the child health. We must strive to bring >the > >>young 'mothers-to-be' into the Yoga fold as a healthy baby is spawned >from > >>a healthy mother. Lord Krishna tells us in the Bhagavad Gita that he >will > >>ensure that Yogis are produced from the wombs of their Yogi-mothers. >This > >>is another reason why young girls must be stimulated to take up a >practice > >>of Yoga as it may help to prevent many genetic and congenital disorders >in > >>their offspring as well as help them have a safe delivery. > >> > >> YOGA SPORT AS A TOOL TO REACH CHILDREN: > >> Yoga in its wholistic sense can never be competitive, and there >exists > >>no objective measurement by which one person can be declared more Yogic > >>than another. Therefore the term " competitive Yoga " is a paradox and has > >>no > >>real meaning. However the proficiency of the Sadhak can be compared with > >>that of another in the performance of the Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras, > >>Pranayamas and the Shat Karmas. Yogasana (Yoga Sport) competitions are a > >>'fact' in today's Yoga world and are mushrooming up in all directions. > >>When > >>conducted efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the > >>right > >>Yogic attitude of 'Nishkama Karma', i.e., selfless action, then the > >>Yogasana competitions have a lot to offer. They stimulate the young >minds > >>and give them an outlet for the competitive spirit, drive and energy. >The > >>youngsters learn to take the 'win' with the same equanimity (Samabhava) >as > >>the 'loss'. They learn to accept that on any given day someone else may >be > >>better than them. They learn to > >> accept the 'highs' with the 'lows' and realize that proper planning, > >>dedicated and disciplined practice and enthusiastic participation is >more > >>important than the result. The youngsters are stimulated to intense > >>practice and thus develop amazing body skills, which they may not >develop > >>otherwise. The competitions provide a meeting point for the youngsters >to > >>meet and interact positively with others having similar interests. > >>Formation of a group of similar minded children can reinforce the > >>individual's practice whenever it slackens due to any reason. Positive > >>'peer pressure' creates a back up to counter any inertia that may hinder > >>the practitioner in their Sadhana. Due to competition, the child is >shaken > >>out of the complacency that tends to creep in when the practice of Yoga > >>becomes a habit as monotonous as the brushing of teeth in the morning. > >>They > >>make sure that they don't miss their practice and put in extra energy >and > >>time to keep in shape. The competitive edge sharpens > >> and focuses the body awareness, thus fostering greater accuracy and > >>perfection that in turn stimulates the real Yogic growth. > >> > >> > >> IMPORTANT YOGA PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN: > >> 1. Play Yoga: > >> Children can be allowed to watch their parents and siblings do Yoga > >>practices from the young age as this stimulates a keen interest in the > >>child's mind. When they are ready they can be introduced to basic units >of > >>Yoga practices such as Chatus Pada Asanas and Kriya (moving around on >all > >>fours) where movement is a key element that helps to enthuse the child >to > >>join the Yoga fold. Loosening exercises and the Suryanamaskar are > >>excellent > >>tools for working with small children. Pawanamukta Kriya is an enjoyable > >>introductory practice for small children. > >> > >> 2. Asanas: > >> Children find Asanas depicting animals of great interest and so >Asanas > >>like Ushtrasana, Shashahasana, Simhasana with Simha Nada, Gardhabakriya > >>with Nada, Mayurasana, Bakasana, Kokilasana, Bhujangasana. Later on more > >>difficult Asanas may be introduced to induce interest and creativity in > >>the > >>children. The complicated Asanas also give the child a sense of > >>achievement > >>and positive self-image. Specific Asanas may also be used for the >specific > >>health disorders and these should be done in an individual " one-on-one' > >>setting for maximum benefit. One legged balancing postures such as > >>Vrikshasana and Natarajasana help develop the concentration ability of >the > >>children while 'head below the heart' postures such as Padahasthasana, > >>Padotannasana, Dharmikasana, Sashangasana. Mehruasana help induce a > >>healthy > >>flow of blood in the head region and are useful to improve memory and > >>attention span. Shavasana is an excellent remedy for the stress that >faces > >>the modern child in the way of > >> unrealistic educational expectations of teachers and parents. Asanas > >> such > >>as Ushtrasana and Bhujangasana are useful in children suffering >Bronchial > >>Asthma as they help to expand the chest in a proper manner. The groups >of > >>Asana termed the Hathenas are an excellent group of practices for the > >>benefit of asthmatic children and those suffering any sort of breathing > >>disorder. Of course attention must also be focused on a healthy diet of > >>citrus fruits and avoidance of mucus forming products such as chocolate > >>and > >>modern snacks. For children that need balancing of psychical imbalances > >>the > >>group of poses termed the Loma Viloma is an excellent remedy. > >> > >> 3. Pranayamas: > >> Kukkriya Pranayama (dog panting breath) is an all time favourite with > >>children. This is an excellent practice for toning up the abdominal >organs > >>and digestion will never be a problem for such children. Mukha Bhastrika > >>(cleaning breath) improves reaction time and thus is useful in all > >>activities of the children including sports. The cooling Pranayamas are > >>very useful in summer camps for the children if they are finding the >heat > >>intolerable and in addition to the Savitri and Pranava Pranayamas are > >>beneficial in calming down hyperactive children. Vibhaga Pranayama > >>(sectional breathing) teaches children how to breathe properly and > >>relieves > >>many breath related disorders. Surya Pranayama is useful in the >asthmatic > >>child as it helps to relieve the bronco-constriction that is the >hallmark > >>of the disease. Children love to make sounds and the Brahmari Pranayama > >>fulfils that need in addition to bringing about a serene calm. > >> > >> 4. Kriyas > >> Children enjoy adventure and if the Shat Karmas are presented as an > >>adventure they readily take them up as a challenge. It is not necessary > >>that they do all of them but the Jala Neti and Kunjala Kriya are useful >in > >>those suffering from respiratory disorders. Older children can perform > >>Kapalabhati and Nauli while all children can be taught Trataka as a > >>concentration-improving practice. Modern children suffer numerous eye > >>related problems and Trataka and the Neti are highly beneficial for such > >>children along with a diet rich in Vitamin A and C. > >> > >> 5. Mudras: > >> Bhujangini Mudra and Brahma Mudra are helpful as stress relievers in > >>school going children though all children enjoy them for their 'play' > >>value. The Chin, Chinmaya, Adhi and Brahma Mudras are also useful in > >>helping them to learn the sectional breathing in a proper manner. These > >>Mudras also help them understand how the body affects the mind in a > >>somato-psychic manner. Topsy Turvy Mudras such as Viparita Karani are >not > >>recommended in children before puberty or at least the age of ten years > >>due > >>to their powerful influence on the gonadal and other endocrine glands. > >>Older children as they go into the adolescence can be taught the Oli > >>Mudras > >>if they are ready as these are wonderful tools for the transmutation of > >>sexual urges into the higher Ojas and Tejas. However they are very > >>powerful > >>practices and must be taught by a competent Guru to the 'well prepared' > >>and > >>'able' youth. > >> > >> 6. Relaxation: > >> Relaxation is a must for modern children who face stress in so many > >>ways. Unrealistic expectations at home, at school and powerful peer > >>pressures virtually drive them mad. Shavasana and various relaxation > >>practices from it can be taught to them. Breath awareness in Shavasana >is > >>a > >>basic teaching that must be introduced to them at the earliest. Children > >>must be made to realise that the benefits of all the practices come to > >>them > >>only when they relax at the end of a class. Kaya Kriya is an excellent > >>body > >>relaxer that helps children relax all aspects of the musculoskeletal > >>system > >>while the Marmanasthanam Kriya keeps them in conscious relaxation. Older > >>children may be taught higher practices such as Yoga Nidra and the >Anuloma > >>Viloma Kriyas as required. They must also realise that 'coming out' of >the > >>relaxation is as important as the relaxation itself and that there is a > >>way > >>to 'go in' and 'come out' of the relaxation. > >> > >> 7. Yoga theory: > >> Children must be exposed to the various Yogic concepts that have >guided > >>man towards shaping his life and the interpersonal relationships in his > >>social life. Vasudeiva Kudumbakam (The whole world is one family) is an > >>excellent concept, which helps children to understand that division on >the > >>basis of class, creed, religion and geographical distribution are all >'man > >>made' obstructions towards oneness. Pancha Kosha (the concept of our >five > >>sheaths or bodies) helps them understand how all their actions, emotions > >>and even thoughts can influence their surroundings. Chaturvidha > >>Purusharthas (the four legitimate goals of life) shows them how to set > >>legitimate goals in their life and then work towards attaining them in >the > >>right way, following Dharma to attain Artha (material prosperity), Kama > >>(emotional prosperity) and finally the attainment to the real goal of > >>life, > >>Moksha (spiritual prosperity). The concept of Chatur Ashramas helps them > >>know how, what and when to perform the > >> various activities in life. Concepts such as the Pancha Klesha (Avidya > >>-ignorance, Asmita -ego, Raaga -attraction, Dwesha -repulsion and > >>Abinivesha -urge to live at any cost) help them understand how these > >>psycho-physiological afflictions control their life. > >> Concepts of Karma Yoga such as Nishkama Karma (selfless action) and > >>Karmasu Koushalam (skill in action) teach them 'to do our best and leave > >>the rest'. Children must be enabled to realise that a great artist, > >>doctor, > >>worker, singer or sportsman can be a Yogi by performing doing their duty > >>to > >>perfection and without care for the rewards of the action, even if they >do > >>not practice any Asana or Pranayama. If the children are taught about >the > >>concept of Samatvam and the development of a complete personality who is > >>neither affected by praise nor blame through development of Vairagya > >>(detachment), they will be stimulated to aim to follow such ideals in > >>their > >>life. Such a child is a boon to society and a pleasure to live and work > >>with. > >> Children must be exposed to the concepts of Yama and Niyama in order >to > >>provide a strong moral and ethical foundation for their personal and > >>social > >>life. This will guide their attitudes with regard to the right and >wrong > >>in life and in relation to their self, family unit and the entire social > >>system. While the Yamas teach them to say a big " NO " to their lower >self, > >>the Niyamas guide them with the " DO'S " and help say a big " YES " to their > >>higher self and the higher impulses. They must be helped to realise that > >>even when we are unable to live the Yama and Niyama completely, even the > >>attempt by them to do so will bear fruit and make each one of us a >better > >>person and help them to be of value to those around them and a valuable > >>person to live with in our family and society. These are values, which > >>need to be introduced to the youth in order to make them aware and > >>conscious of these wonderful concepts of daily living, which are >qualities > >>to be imbibed with joy, and not learnt > >> with fear or compulsion. The parents and teachers can by example show > >>their children the importance of these qualities and when the children >see > >>the good examples of their parents > >>and teachers living there principles they will surely follow suit sooner > >>than later. > >> > >> REFERENCES: > >> > >> Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Madanmohan and Kaviraja Udupa. Acute >effect > >>of mukh bhastrika (a bellows breathing) on reaction time. Indian J >Physiol > >>Pharmacol 2003; 47(3): 297-300. > >> Swami Chidbhavananda. The Bhagavad Gita. Ramakrishna Tapovanam, > >> Trichy, > >>1984 > >> Nergis Dalal. Yoga for Rejuvenation, Thompson's Publishers, U.K, >1984 > >> Trisha Lamb Feuerstein. The Health Benefits of Yoga. YREC-A Gateway >to > >>Authentic Yoga-No.16 (2001). > >> Trisha Lamb Feuerstein. A collection of bibliography of articles, > >> books > >>and videos on Yoga for children. www.iayt.org > >> Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri. Yoga: Step-By-Step. Satya Press, Ananda > >>Ashram, Pondicherry > >> Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri and Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. Yoga and > >> Sports. > >>Satya Press, Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry > >> Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri. Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali. Satya Press, > >>Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry > >> Arthur C. Guyton. Text Book of Medical Physiology. W.B.Sanders, 1986 > >> Kaviraja Udupa, Madanmohan, Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, P. > >> Vijayalakshmi > >>and N. Krishnamurthy. Effect of Pranayama training on cardiac function >in > >>normal young volunteers. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2003; 47(1): 27-33. > >> Madanmohan, Lakshmi Jatiya, Kaviraja Udupa, Ananda Balayogi >Bhavanani. > >>Effect of Yoga training on handgrip, respiratory pressures and pulmonary > >>function. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2003; 47(4): 387-392. > >> Madanmohan, A B Bhavanani, E S Prakash, M G Kamath and J Amudhan . > >>Effect of six weeks of shavasan training on spectral measures of short > >>term > >>heart rate variability in young healthy volunteers. Indian J Physiol > >>Pharmacol 2004; 48(3): 370-73. > >> Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR (1985) Yoga for bronchial asthma: a > >>controlled study. BMJ 291: 1077-1079. > >> Naveen KV, Nagarathna R, Nagendra HR, Telles S. Yoga breathing >through > >>a particular nostril increases spatial memory scores without lateralized > >>effects. Psychol Rep 1997 Oct; 81(2): 555-61 > >> Pamela Hollander. Benefits of Yoga for Children at a Glance. > >>http://www.indigoYoga.com/aboutIY > >> Panjwani U, Gupta HL, Singh SH, Selvamurthy W, Rai U (1995) Effect >of > >>Sahaja Yoga practice on stress management in patents of epilepsy. Indian >J > >>Physiol Pharmacol 39 (2): 111-116 > >> Yadav RK, Das S (2001) Effect of Yogic practice on pulmonary >functions > >>in young females. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 46(4): 493-496. > >> > >> > >> Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani > >> Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER > >> Hon General Secretary, Pondicherry Yogasana Association > >> 25, 2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry, South India-605 013 > >> Tel: +91-413 - 2622902 / +91-413 -3203314/+91-413 -2241561 > >> Website: www.icyer.com > >> www.geocities.com/yognat2001/ananda > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>Why keep checking for Mail? The all-new Mail shows you when there > >>are new messages. > > > > _______________ > > Be the first to hear what's new at MSN - sign up to our free >newsletters! > > http://www.msn.co.uk/newsletters > > > > > > > > > > " Health and Happiness are your birthright, claim them through >Rishiculture > > Ashtanga Yoga " -Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.