Children, you must have heard of the adage ‘a healthy mind in a healthy body’. To have a six pack or eight pack is considered to be cool. For this we spend thousands of rupees to get our body toned-up by going to a gym. Most gyms advocate certain supplements to make our body perfect without realising that these supplements are chemicals which can have an adverse effect on our body. Do you know you can have a good physic even without going to a gym—- yes, and that is possible by practicing YOG.
What Exactly is Yog?
Surya Namaskar Children ,if you are pressed for time and looking for a single mantra to stay fit, here’s the answer. A set of 12 powerful Yog asanas (postures) that provide a good cardiovascular workout in the form of Surya Namaskar. Literally translated to sun salutation, these postures are a good way to keep the body in shape and the mind calm and healthy. Surya Namaskar is best done early morning on an empty stomach. |
Yog, the 5,000-year-old art of fusing the body and mind, is not just transforming adults today but because of its amazing benefits, children are also drawn to it around the world. Yog is a practice that started in India, and is now very popular around the globe. It has gained a lot of attention lately — maybe because it is fun and easy way for both adults and kids to feel healthy and happy.
Yog(meaning union or yoke) is the practice of accessing and integrating all aspects of our true nature-body, mind, and spirit—in the pursuit of inner harmony. Yog’s rising popularity can be attributed to its basic stretching advantages and improved body awareness, with the added component of a mind-body connection.
Yogic postures Yogic postures if practised in steps are far more superior to any other form of exercise. They not only produce simple muscular actions but they also rehabilitate the various vital organs. |
Yog is beneficial to kids in many ways. Because children encounter emotional, social, and physical challenges or conflicts, a dedicated and intentional Yog practice that includes breathing techniques, behavioral guidelines, and physical postures can be incredibly valuable for them. Yog is something children can practice anywhere and that the breathing, the concentration, the poses, and the way kids learn to act or react to situations, will lead to constant self-discovery and inquisitiveness. Plus, Yog is portable and no accessories are required.
| Here are some of the many benefits of teaching Yog to kids: Yog helps kids to:
When children practice the physical postures or exercises (called asanas), they learn how to move more freely and with greater ease and awareness. These postures help their bodies become strong and flexible.
When children breathe deeply and fully (called pranayama) and become more aware, they can bring peacefulness or energy to their bodies.
When they practice Yog, they learn how to use the life force energy in their bodies (called prana) to feel more relaxed, focused, or motivated.
When they practice Yog, they learn how to be still. This helps them to listen with attention and make good decisions.
When they practice Yog, they learn to be more aware about the need for balance in their lives. This could mean equal stretching on the left and right sides of their bodies or making sure they balance their very busy time with equal quiet time and relaxation.
Yog teaches the children to listen to their bodies by modifying or changing poses that are too hard or cause pain.
It is a very good alternative to electronic devices. Children who practice Yog, their academic performance improves automatically. The beauty of Yog is that children can practice alone, with a friend or with a group. |
Yog is an option for children who shy away from physical activity or group activities for fear of failure or being picked last, and it helps athletic children excel in other physical activities and sports. Yog introduces cornerstone values “such as non-harming, truthfulness, moderation, cleanliness, gratitude, and self-discipline.” In this way, Yog is a holistic practice, with an inner as well as outer focus. But most importantly for kids, Yog is fun. In fact because its importance June 21st has been declared as the International Yoga Day by the UN General Assembly.
—Aniket Raja
