Our children have been born in an age where everything is fast and in order to keep up with times they need to keep up their health. This age of technology (computers, television and competitive sports) causes tense exhausted bodies and stressed minds. In this challenging scenario, Yoga may be just what they need for greater health, energy and enlightenment.
Yoga is the right kind of exercise for children as it is gentle, non-competitive and works not only the entire body but also the mind and spirit. Children of all ages and physical abilities can participate.
BENEFITS OF YOGA
(1). It is absolutely safe for your child.
(2). It teaches children about their body in a fun manner. Yoga songs and aasans (stretching exercises) are approachable and fun for kids.
(3). It helps negate the effects of the competitive life (and it’s negative long-term effects) the child is forced to live.
(4). It helps children to relax, concentrate and focus.
(5). It builds stamina, stability and balance.
(6). It helps improve digestion, elimination of toxins and circulation.
(7). It strengthens the musculature of the body, elongates the spine and promotes good posture.
(8). Children who practice yoga have a good posture.
(9). Specific postures help relieve gas and constipation.
(10). It improves breathing habits through pranayam.
(11). It develops speech skills through the use of singing and chanting.
(12). It improves sleeping patterns.
(13). It improves memory and develops effective concentration skills.
Yoga means connecting to God. A child’s mind is pure and body flexible. They’ll absorb everything that is given to them. The earlier your child begins the better he will feel. Let yoga be his guide into the world of good and harmonious living. Give him this gift to keep him healthy and happy - more positive, self confident and sensitively independent. But make sure you look out for a qualified teacher first. A teacher who has the ability to teach the children according to their attention span and abilities and who can teach in a creative, playful manner to help them develop all their potentialities.
Yoga over centuries has developed a concept of a balanced whole foods diet and an eating philosophy. These principles of good intake use powerful techniques which help in maintaining a strong and health body, a stress-free mind and a positive spirituality within this mixed up world.
*It has been observed that (East) Indian civilizations suffer least from bowel problems, constipation, indigestion and other food related disorders such as obesity. Do you know why? Because the Indian philosophy of food preparation and eating draws heavily from the yogic attitude of eating!
*Never has this yogic philosophy of a balanced whole foods diet be felt more than today when 97% of all health disorders can be traced to a faulty nutrition and diet.
*Yoga does not dissect food into vitamins, minerals, protein etc. The yogic philosophy is that the true benefits of these ingredients can be had only when they are NOT isolated but as much in their natural form as possible.
*Yoga & food yoga is the only science that has laid great emphasis on food over centuries. In fact, there is a whole branch – called Anna Yoga – dedicated to food for health and happiness.
*The key to true health is to have a balanced whole foods diet. A balanced diet ensures that all the faculties of digestion work smoothly – absorption, assimilation and elimination. A impartial whole foods diet ensures a healthy you!!
*Read this report on how the rapidly increasing incidence of cancer can be traced down to faulty nutrition.
*It is extremely important that all these 3 aspects work well together. If all these aspects work in harmony it is extremely unlikely that you’ll suffer from health disorders and even obesity. Often “synthetic” or “processed” foods create conditions that disrupt this balance. This leads to several physical and psychological harms. Over years, this can have dangerous consequences.
Wholefoods are edible substances which are as close to their “whole” or natural state as likely. They have not been pre-processed in any way which would disturb their nourishment or flavor. They are therefore free of all processing additives or subtractions.
*As whole and in their most simple form as likely
*In season from as close to the source as possible
*As chemically and additive free as possible
*In bulk and not pre-packaged