Post by Sarah Swindlehurst on Oct 2, 2009 12:57:09 GMT
YOGA IN THE SCHOOL - PREVENTAION RATHER THAN CURE
(as published in YOga & Health Magazine - August 2009)
Having practised yoga myself since 1995 and taught yoga since 2003 I have learnt and experienced the amazing rewards it has to offer. Throughout my yoga teachings and practices I have discovered so many wonderful yogic techniques that have assisted both myself and others in reaching optimum health & fitness.
The world is changing at a quickening pace, which leaves many behind. There is a move towards a change in consciousness, and society has to be prepared to be more open. There are more and more yoga teachers and therapists appearing on the scene– all it seems, to be in some kind of preparation. For us to cope with all these changes we need to have our optimum health and fitness - in our bodies, our emotions, our mental states and in our spirit.
Now more than ever is an important time for all of us to slow down a little and take conscious action rather than rushing around and become the change we would like to see in this new world.
Obesity is increasing at a frightening pace, not only in adults but also in our children.
Recent governmental figures show that, one in 10 children in Britain are obese by the age of five and one in three 11 year olds are overweight. Our children are becoming fatter and more health challenged due to the unconscious choices made by parents and their children. Now more than ever is a time to take action, otherwise we could become a world of dis-eased Human Beings. Our bodies are not at EASE.
Yoga has been around Thousands of years and has so many tried and tested techniques that are designed to shape our bodies, our mind, our emotions and our spirits so that we can reach a state of equilibrium or homeostasis. Over the years yoga has helped me through many life challenges. I have submerged myself in the incredible practice of Ashtanga and Hatha yoga and through it have become stronger physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually as a growing loving being.
It was through my own experiences and of my increase in awareness of the state of the world that I decided to start up my own company Yogakidz. Yogakidz is a company aimed at teaching children yogic techniques and health awareness. Prevention is far better than curing! This statement holds the clue to creating a more harmonious world. Many adults are in the ‘cure’ stage, seeking doctors and prescription drugs to ‘cure’ their ills (fortunately more adults are also seeking other ways, such as yoga and complementary therapies). This ‘cure’ state of many people’s mindsets could be prevented at an earlier stage.
The idea of Yogakidz is to begin health and fitness education at grass roots - to show children not only how they can use the natural tool they were born with; their body and breath, in order to maintain their health and aid their development into young adults, but also to provide them with the tools to deal with the issues they may face growing up. With the change in consciousness developing, it is vital that children have the option of being as healthy and as fit (holistically) as possible.
Yoga can help a child understand their individual development needs; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually (and so they will help and support others in their development). Yoga practices and disciplines may help a child to develop better body awareness, self-control, flexibility and coordination. These children can then carry their new found skills beyond class and into their daily routines. Yoga can also help a child to feel secure when the world around them seems scary and difficult to understand.
Having taught children in and out of schools for over 18 months, I have been delightfully amazed at the success it has brought them in their community. These children of all ages (0 – 16) are really benefiting from the classes and it is such a joy to bring my passion into the school environment where I know and believe that the children are really reaping the rewards. I have seen very hyperactive children become so much calmer and more in control of their actions. All children just love challenging themselves physically and mentally. It is so beneficial for children as it helps to keep them supple (even sporty children can struggle to touch their toes) while the breathing techniques I teach can improve their concentration and energy levels. I do believe that it helps a child to cope with the pressures and stresses of family and school life, such as exams or performances.
A recent study by the American College of Sports Medicine reported that physical inactivity has been associated with emotional and behavioural issues in adolescents. Over 7,000 youths aged 15-16 took part in the study and reported upon their physical, emotional and mental states. Boys who did less than one hour of exercise a week had more symptoms of anxiety, depression and attention difficulties and the girls reported very similar but with an increase in rule-breaking and aggression than other physically active peers.
For those children that are less inclined towards the more competitive sports, yoga is a perfect choice to make. Children today are under a lot of stress; homework, pressure to compete with other children (sport and academically), endless after-school activities, over-scheduling -- it all adds up. And just like their parents, children today are starting to turn to other modalities like Yoga to help them relax. It is less demanding on the physical body than many other sports and is very calming for the mind and emotions.
My lessons vary depending on the behaviours of the children from day to day, as well as the schools differing environments. In all my classes the children learn sun salutations and I am very keen for them to learn the breathing that goes with them, for example when to inhale and exhale. They always learn a variety of postures that will increase their flexibility and strength, and I incorporate these postures into stories for them to act out which helps them to remember. They sometimes chop down the trees that they have just been practicing, turn themselves into bows, scare warriors by being tigers and lions and swim in the sea like fish and dolphins. All the while I am subtly educating them on how the postures received their names.
Balance and their bodies awareness in space plays a large part in every class, when we are busy focusing on others and what others are doing, we often neglect ourselves. They learn that balance is affected when they are looking at everything or everyone else and not concentrating on what they are doing in that moment and I encourage them to think about this when they are distracted in class.
I have gained so many wonderful insights and learned so many great lessons while I have been teaching children how to look after their bodies, their breath and providing them with the tools to calm their mind. However I have realised that an important piece is missing from my curriculum. I felt that another important aspect key to health, optimal vitality and great wellbeing was through some nutritional input. So, further to my yoga teachings in and out of schools I have now introduced Nutrikidz to teachers, parents and children alike.
Nutrikidz is aimed at reminding/educating all ages of children what whole foods will serve them better than foods with a shelf life or from a fast food outlet. This new work also reminds their teachers as well as their parents, the simple basic facts about improving their immune systems, through proper nutrition. The sessions are fun, interactive and informative and they invite the children to sample & enjoy natural whole foods. In these classes the children learn the basics of healthy eating and they are invited to sample various alive foods – these children are introduced to new exciting foods that they may or may not have heard of let alone tasted or even seen before!
Truly caring about the health and fitness of our children is important and through yoga techniques as well as nutritional advice I believe children will become empowered with essential knowledge, which will become wisdom when applied in their daily lives. I am currently gathering a portfolio of yoga teachers in the Lancashire, Yorkshire & Cumbria area who are interested in teaching yoga to children, so if anyone is interested please contact me on 07922 144384 or 01524 64529. Children look up to their teachers for tips on how to live and love, so I believe that just as Gandhi once said “We must be the change that we wish to see in the world”
Sarah Swindlehurst is the founder of eSSence yOga and Yogakidz. She has been a student of yoga since 1995 and is a qualified Yoga Instructor & Therapist working in Lancashire & Cumbria, England. Along side her Ashtanga Yoga DVD and Mediation CD’s, Sarah has recently published ‘Yoga Techniques for Teachers’ Handbook, a comprehensive handbook designed to assist teachers in creating a healthy learning environment in the classroom by using various yogic techniques.
Please see websites www.yogakidz.co.uk and www.essenceyoga.co.uk for further information.
