The Essence of Yoga

Interest in drugless methods and encouragement towards natural remedies draws many parents to consider sending their children to yoga classes if they can be assured of the professional specialization of the teacher.

Yoga techniques are generally for the application by adults in seeking a complete method of self culture. The teaching methods therefore must be adapted in order that children can benefit and this requires skill. However, in spite of some difficulty often encountered when seeking such a teacher, general yoga classes offer basic relaxation techniques and gentle exercises that will help a child who is in need of slowing down, learning to enjoy being still, and also in becoming aware of the part that breath control has in disciplines of self control.

If your child will accept discipline he or she will be able to participate in classwork but will only fully benefit in a class of students of similar age.

Yoga teachers follow the philosophy that sets principles such as non-violence, obedience to parents, clear recognition of differences and different needs in training exercises for boys and girls.  They are taught to have mutual respect between the sexes – seen as equal but opposite.

Most of all, parents must be willing to communicate with the yoga teacher so that they share an understanding of the aims and methods and are in complete accord so that matters related to the child can be mutually discussed.

It can be surprising to parents to observe children happily enjoying yoga classes where there are no electronics, toys, diversions or crafts to occupy them. Instead, they are involved in testing their own muscles and physical abilities in exercise and in mastering a limited range of yoga Asanas. In the process they discover talents that bring self confidence and through breath control, achieve a simple tonic and natural sedative to benefit their nervous system.

There are many other benefits offered by a yoga teacher who is wise enough to adapt the teachings that promise health of mind and body.

Parents benefit in several ways by having children disciplined through Yoga classes. Well disciplined children become more amenable and co-operative, improving in schoolwork and in their behaviour and often become more creatively employed in hobbies of real interest rather than becoming too addicted to electronic toys and TV.

Having dedicated many years pioneering in this field I can speak of the positive responses in many parts of the world where the ideas and techniques of classical yoga are considered as an important adjunct to academic tutoring, attracting more skilled teachers to this particular specialization in education.

Most importantly, following a simple natural approach towards slower and restrained, less excitable challenges in exercise will provide a child with greater chance of self determination and so avoid behavioural habits that cause prescription of medical psychiatric drugs.

Because respiration is normally an unconcious function, it takes a concerted effort towards gaining conscious control over the process.

Tutoring ideally begins in helping children to understand the basic muscular controls that are associated with breathing and as adults, revise what we may already know in gaining control of the intercostal muscles, abdominal muscles and upper torso.

We all respond well to the counting method to increase our lung capacity. Children are best encouraged to start with a simple count, say of 4 for inhalation and the same count in exhaling.  Yoga students are familiar with this known as the Rhythm Breath, the basis of the classical approach to Pranayama which incorporates the additional factor of retention of the breath or Kumbhaka.

Teaching children about their potential for breath control is important,  particularly if they are suffering from the regrettably common complaint of asthma. Gradually increasing the exercises that involve a degree of retention, employing sound to increase capacity to exhale, and sniffing in stages to increase inhalation makes their learning enjoyable.

Although the prone position – lying down -  is often chosen for teaching elementary breathing exercises, most students who can assume a comfortable seated position are advised to sit upright and practise the range of breathing exercises and disciplines of Pranayama.

The fundamental natural, upright posture is important for us all to realise as being required for the comfort and function of the complex physiological processes that we tend to take for granted when we are experiencing good health.

This is the first training for a yoga student, before attempting the many variations of the classical yoga Asanas.

Children who learn what is correct from an early age are likely to relate to it when they are growing up and so avoid unwelcome pressures and complaints originating in poor posture.

As the upright stance has a corresponding link with mental uprightness, natural pride and self confidence, it is obvious that this simple discipline will have a profound and positive affect upon the personality and self image of the individual.

Many parents who practise the physical disciplines of Yoga are able to pass on appropriate health benefits to their children by helping them to understand natural health principles and so encourage their co-operation. Building better health of course begins under direction of the parents but the practical skills and benefits are usually readily experienced, to serve as an encouragement to young ones.

Yoga teachers who have been trained to understand the modifications and cautions that accompany the health practices that were first designed for adult application are able to train and inspire children to take a positive life approach.

This will often help them later in avoiding the rebelliousness stages, peer pressure and negative temptations associated with drugs, alcohol and premature sexual experimentation.

Self confidence grows as students master their physical skill in assuming the many Asanas that present an enduring challenge.

As all methods used in the Yogic philosophy are based upon ‘non-violence’ or Ahimsa, these ideas are employed in gentle physical training, in encouraging right standards of behaviour, and in cultivating constructive interests and actions rather than destructive trends.

Yoga teachers aspire to help you to help your children in simple matters of health and physical and mental well being.

In order to achieve the goals and aims you have for your children the wisest course is to seek an interview with the teacher of your choice. 

Children love attending small classes and usually have no reluctance associated with their training.

Yoga students learn to be happy.

The philosophy and practices of classical Yoga are for application by adults and it can be anticipated that parents practising Yoga will naturally transmit appropriate information to their children.

However as Yoga offers a total education ranging from physical culture to mind training and spiritual awareness it is understandable that there are many aspects which can be contributed by the professional Yoga teacher and used to complement the demands of present educational systems.

In spite of disciplinary measures in education being at present unpopular in western countries, self discipline and self confidence nevertheless go hand in hand. Children must not be deprived of the benefits derived from early training whether the disciplinary measures relate to physical training or to character. It is well evidenced that discipline demanded from any teacher provides the initial basis for the student’s subsequent self discipline.

All are encouraged to live a life of high ethical and moral standards. A surprising number of them have become naturally aware of spiritual life through their directly experiencing the power of love and goodness through the instrument of their own intuition.

The simple yogic health practices are invaluable both as a means of prevention of physical ailments as of therapeutic benefit. Children become more acutely aware of the need for caring for their bodies through following the natural laws that influence good health.

They develop better muscular control over their physical bodies through exercise

They experience the reduction or correction of minor symptoms

How to experience self commanded muscular relaxation

Improved physical posture and mental attitudes

Better concentration and learning skills regarding studies

Instruction about healthy eating habits

Improved respiration and relief from complaints such as asthma and hyperactivity

Awareness of the need to build their own self image & confidence

Willing obedience and respect for parents, teachers, and elders

Increased joy in living

These are some of the many advantages from offering your children classes from a professional teacher of classical Yoga who specializes in teaching children and who works in close co-operation with parents to ensure their welfare.

Although suffering some neglect and receiving less attention in some western health systems, hygiene nevertheless is the basic discipline in order to experience health and remain free of  disease. Inadequate attention to hygiene in the community and particularly in hospitals is causing some concern.

Hatha yoga practices include attention to internal cleansing as well as external hygiene.

Students of yoga are instructed from a young age to be aware of the need for cleanliness and with the co-operation of parents, some additional methods can be added to current home practices.

One of the simplest is to cleanse the tongue after brushing the teeth. This is usually done with a special tool but can also be effective using a toothbrush, as long as attention is given to thorough washing afterwards. The old traditional method in India is to use the fig tree root or stem or other appropriate organic plant material that can serves as a toothbrush and means of flossing between the teeth.

Another is to use the method of brushing the skin to stimulate circulation and to eliminate the dead cells that accumulate. This is a practice common to many people the world over. The stimulus to the skin helps elimination of toxins that must otherwise find outlet through the kidneys. In cold climates without heavy perspiration through heat, the kidneys tend to be over burdened so skin brushing is particularly important.

In older age skin brushing not only improves general health but the skin texture and appearance is improved, and can correct dry flaky skin problems.

It is best to begin skin brushing lightly when young and this is encouraged in Yoga practice.

The philosophy and practices of classical Yoga are for application by adults and it can be anticipated that parents will naturally transmit appropriate information to their children. In spite of disciplinary measures in education being at present unpopular in western countries, self discipline and self confidence nevertheless go hand in hand. Children must not be deprived of the benefits derived from early training whether the disciplinary measures relate to physical training or to character. It is well evidenced that discipline demanded from any teacher provides the initial basis for the student’s subsequent self discipline.

Young Yoga students tend towards advanced intellectual development and a surprising number of them have become aware of spiritual life through their direct experiences of the power of love and goodness and the early awakening of their own intuition. All are encouraged to live a life of high ethical and moral standards.

Teenagers as they mature, generally find it of interest to learn more about themselves and their own physical, emotional and mental nature. They also have an innate interest in learning about all the natural philosophies and sciences, particularly over the last years as environmental issues have brought attention to the inter-relationship and inter-dependence of the various natural life kingdoms, confirming the very Oneness which is the essence of Yoga.

Direct benefits offered to children who learn Yoga generally include the following –

Greater understanding of their bodies and the need for maintaining health

Better muscular control over their physical bodies through exercise

Health improvement through correction of minor symptoms

Ability to experience self commanded muscular relaxation

Improved physical posture and mental attitudes

Learning natural nutrition and healthy eating habits

Improved respiration and relief from complaints such as asthma and hyperactivity

Interest in drugless methods and encouragement towards natural remedies

Awareness of the need to build their own self image & confidence

Greater self awareness and psychological understanding

Mutual respect between the sexes – seen as equal but opposite

Increased and positive use of imagination and other mental faculties

Improved concentration and studies

Greater resistance to damaging habits such as drugs, alcohol

Understanding of the importance of the principle of non-violence in thought and deed

Acceptance of greater self reliance and responsibility

Increased joy in living

Parents benefit in several ways by having children disciplined through Yoga classes. Well disciplined children become more amenable and co-operative.

Parents benefit also as children improve in behaviour, politeness and respect and are able to develop natural creative enjoyments and enterprises rather than spending too much time with electronic toys and TV.

The qualified yoga teacher offers children a vital system of education complementary to the existent system in schools and teaches a practical way of building total health of mind and body. All fine yoga teachers, although maintaining their own unique style, adapt the classical teachings by specialised study and application of techniques modified for those of young age.