Children as young as age 3 derive benefit from attending classes of limited numbers, preferably of the same age, or together with a sibling of near age.
Teachers are specially trained in the adaptation of yoga for infants and usually have developed their own style of teaching that is safe, appropriate for the different age group up to teens.
The principles inherent in Yoga are gradually being incorporated in general training programmes and business management and will in time enrich all education by total awareness and training of each individual who chooses to accept personal responsibility.
The qualified yoga teacher offers children a vital system of education complementary to the existent system in schools. It teaches a practical way of building total health of mind and body.
Any assumed attitude of mind will be reflected in an obvious, or a subtle corresponding attitude of the body. This is now a well known fact. The relationship has been known and utilized for centuries and applied in the traditional art of self development by those who adhere to the teachings and practices of Yoga. This system utilizes physical poses to help the mind, and applies mental attitudes to help the body.
Although there is a highly developed system based upon 84 classical yoga Asanas, as they are called, the simplest practice is fundamental. It is called Tadasana and represents the erect, upright mind and character, the confident individual whom we aspire to become. There is an associated physical discipline and muscular effort involved in standing upright, walking tall and sitting without slumping.
Yoga teachers who specialize in adapting the philosophy and practices of the yogic teachings apply a balanced method of education with its foundation in ancient wisdom and with its techniques and application adapted to embrace modern health practices.
Parents benefit in several ways by having children disciplined through Yoga classes that encourage learning and application of sound, balanced knowledge and health education that complements their schooling. Well disciplined children become more amenable and co-operative as they benefit from clear guidelines. Parents benefit also as children improve in behaviour, politeness and respect that allows more productive and satisfying relationships with all members of the family.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
