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YOGA FOR HEALTH IN CHILDREN

Yogacharya

Dr. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI


M.B.B.S, A.D.Y, D.S.M, D.P.C, P.G.D.F.H., CHAIRMAN

International Centre for Yoga Education & Research, Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, South India

Children are the wealth of tomorrow- take care of them if you wish to have a strong India - Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

INTRODUCTION
Children, a unique segment of population Have very specific health needs More than 40% deaths are seen below 5 years Age of both physical and mental growth Stressful periods (puberty and adolescence) Stress of academic pressures Need outlet for creativity & abundant energy If youthful energy isnt canalized properly socially deviant behaviors such as truancy and juvenile delinquency

BENEFITS OF YOGA FOR CHILDREN


Prevention is better than cure Improved immunity Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras and Pranayama stabilize and balance the energies Develops and strengthens all systems and develops flexibility of the body Yoga seeks balance, which is lacking in most other sporting activity Various disorders such as Asthma and Diabetes can be controlled

Better coordination, concentration, mental calmness and attention span in ATHD, MR and other mental disabilities Reduced duration, frequency and severity of epileptic attack Reduce anxiety and aggressive behaviour Asanas tone up abdominal area and helps relieve functional abdominal pain, juvenile DM, hepatic and renal disorders Loma Viloma :
flexibility, balance, control, strength and endurance are developed helps improve and regain lost power and function in children suffering handicaps

Pranayama:
improves the academic performance of slow learners internal cleansing improves lung function, heart function, speed of reaction and cognition develops an integrated personality synchronized use of breath power with movement brings about revolutionary effects on performance and improved state of mind, emotions and all round health

Children are prone to glandular imbalance Homeostatic influence on the psychoneuro-immuno-endocrine system and thus both the hypo as well as the hyper functioning of the system is controlled and equilibrium is attained Proper and proportional growth and development through Yoga Positive anabolic growth in children genetic potential attained

Inculcation of Yogic values


prevent problems that children face as they grow into young adults social life improved- children also influence elders mental solace and ethical strength never become asocial or anti social beings and will have a positive self image of themselves substance abuse, juvenile delinquency and other social disorders that plague modern youth can be prevented as well as controlled

Yogic concepts - Only a quiet mind and controlled body can produce real skill in action

Yogic relaxation
counterfoil to the extreme stress of competitive pressures fosters mental, emotional and physical health Concepts of Spanda-Nishpanda or exertionrelaxation-exertion-relaxation in an alternating rhythm

Yoga provides a more conscious and aware outlook of the whole phenomenon of human life on earth Makes the child a more valuable member of the human social unit

TEACHING YOGA TO CHILDREN


Yoga is fun Stimulate interest in Concepts of Yoga Emphasis should be on movement initially Emphasize breath - movement correlation Adequate relaxation at end of class Follow the carrot approach Jovial advise on diet and pitfalls of modern vices Periodic discussions with parents Yoga family - emotional and psychical bonding A happy home makes a happy child

Karma Yoga at home Importance and power of prayer - emotional and mental strength Antenatal period of the mother is an important contributor to the childs health. Strive to bring the young mothers-to-be into the Yoga fold as a healthy baby is spawned from a healthy mother Young girls must be stimulated to take up 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 : A TOOL TO REACH CHILDREN


Yoga Sport a fact in todays Yoga world Outlet for the competitive spirit, drive and energy Learn to accept the highs with the lows Enthusiastic participation more important Intense practice -develop amazing skills Meeting point positive peer pressure Shaken out of the complacency Competitive edge sharpens and focuses the body awareness, greater accuracy and perfection

IMPORTANT YOGA PRACTICES FOR CHILDREN


Play Yoga Asanas :animal and bird poses Pranayamas: sounds and breath Kriyas: Children enjoy adventure Mudras: pre-puberty- no topsy turvy Relaxation: very important Yoga theory: wholistic development

CONCLUSION
Yoga practices and values need to be introduced early to children and youth Health and happiness can be attained Yogic qualities are to be imbibed with joy, and not learnt with fear or compulsion Parents and teachers must reiterate the importance of Yoga by example Our duty is to make them aware and conscious of these wonderful concepts of daily living

ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS A SMALL SPARK TO ILLUMINATE THEIR LIVES WITH YOGA FOREVER

THANK YOU

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