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Yoga, as has been observed since centuries all over the world, can be extremely beneficial to not only healthy living, but also healthy thinking. It is not just exercise for the body, it is also a great relief for the mind and soul. The sooner such a useful thing is absorbed into our regular flow of life, the better can it prove to be for us. No wonder then that Yoga is considered important for the positive physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual development of children, if taught and practised the right, safe way.
In today’s fast-paced, competitive world, children, too, are exposed to and faced with a lot of stress. From the pollution in the air to the noisy traffic, from the pressure of scoring the best of marks to the anxiety related to daily challenges such as being their best in whatever they do – children face a lot of tension, too. Yoga can help them rise over them all.
Not just that, Yoga can teach children a number of very positive things to help them develop into ideal adults, who have not only healthy bodies, but also healthy minds, thoughts and emotions. The more such children we have with us, the better adults, and eventually, the better world we can proceed to gain.
Yoga, taught and practised young, can certainly do children and their future world a world of good.
Let us know, more deeply, all about Yoga and its importance.
What is Yoga and where has it come from?
Yoga can be defined in various ways. Some say it is a practical method for physical, mental and emotional well-being. It is an ancient art that is also considered a great science. It enables one to gain control over one’s physical and emotional health. Yoga makes the body strong and flexible. It clears the mind and improves digestion, circulation and respiration. Some believe Yoga can even hold back the process of aging.
How and when Yoga has come into being is also a very interesting subject. Views might vary in this matter, though. Although most people agree that Yoga has been here since thousands of years, the exact number of years it has been practised on earth might not be easy to determine or agree upon by all.
From thousands of years ago till today and all set to progress into the future world, the art and science of Yoga is evergreen. It is practised as much in foreign countries as it is in India, and it can be said that more and more benefits of Yoga are being discovered and discussed on a regular basis.
Yoga is immensely important for Child Development, for various reasons.
It is an excellent practice that can provide lifelong benefits, and the sooner one begins to reap these good results, the better it can be for him/her.
Yoga, in Sanskrit, means: ‘To Yoke’. It teaches one to integrate balance. Balance reduces the effects of stress on the mind and body, thereby helping one to finally eliminate stress altogether.
When children learn and practise Yoga, they gradually develop this habit of calm. They learn how to find balance and tranquility through ‘Asanas’, controlled breathing and meditation. With time, living stress-free becomes a way of life with them.
Yoga involves calm, basically. The ‘Asanas’ or postures prescribed and practised for various reasons involve a lot of physical balance, which automatically teaches one to balance one’s thought-process and bring about tranquility.
When children are taught Yoga, they, from their very early and impressionable age, realise the importance and the soothing, beneficial effects of calmness – both in action and thought. This helps them to keep a cool mind and simultaneously develop a strong body. A balanced, positive thought process helps children to develop into sensible, wise adults.
Along with reducing stress, Yoga teaches Discipline. Since it calms and soothes the mind and system, discipline comes almost as an automatic result. Moreover, practising Yoga involves holding a lot of postures for certain periods of time, being conscious of one’s respiration and being in touch with one’s inner self. All these require a certain amount and quality of discipline. This discipline reflects itself in other aspects of children’s life, too.
Childhood obesity is being recognized as a major health issue, which needs to be addressed and prevented at the earliest.
Obesity at a young age can come from a number of factors, such as lack of exercise, presence of anxiety, improper food habits, heredity and so on. Such obesity, in its turn, can give rise to a number of health hazards, which are definitely avoidable.
Yoga is considered a safe and certain way for fighting childhood obesity. It involves exercise, discipline, calm and promotes good health and positive thinking. All these aid children in fighting negative influences that might cause obesity.
Regular practise of Yoga can improve the general health of a child. This means a healthy body, mind and thought process. Practise of Yoga through the growing years can actually prevent a lot of ailments and keep a person happy and relaxed.
Yoga can also make children feel one with their environment and fellow beings – a very useful thought-process that can bring about a healthy, green, peaceful and happy world.
Though Yoga can be extremely beneficial, being a science that requires expert coaching and guidance, it is but natural that certain precautions must be taken before and while children practise Yoga.
As is evident, Yoga, if taught early to children by the right and reliable trainers, can prove immensely beneficial for their development and lives. Done the right way, Yoga can be one of the safest, surest and even simplest ways of ensuring a happy, healthy life forever.
Please share your views on the topic of the benefits of Yoga, as related to the development of children. We would welcome your views and advice.
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