The Surya Namaskar or Sun Salutation is one of yoga’s most important asanas, comprising of 12 different postures in a single flow. Also known as the Mountain Story for the benefit of the children, it is one of the most enjoyable and energising exercises for them. The forward and backward bending postures help to stretch and flex their abdomen as well as spinal columns.
Best done in the morning, the Surya Namaskar is a simple exercise that you can do it at home with your children, engaging them in the activity through the use of the Mountain Story. The Sun Salutation has a number of beneficial effects on the minds and bodies of children including boosting physical strength and muscle tone and enhancing the function of the nervous system, improving memory, concentration and learning capabilities, increasing energy levels in the body and keeping the mind calm and focused and regulating and promoting better sleep patterns amongst others. Try it at home together with your children. Not only will it energise and invigorate them, but it is also a great way to bond and share quality time with them.
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s finally arrived. With temperatures in the UK expected to soar next week, Practise a handy breathing technique to avoid sunstrokes and prevent your body getting too hot. The Sitali Breath Pranayama or what I call the Ice Cream breath will cool your bodies down. A simple technique, I have shared this with many parents who have asked me for exercises to help their children relax and cool down both physically and mentally. It's easy to do... Curl the tongue into a ‘U’ shape Inhale through the curled tongue Close mouth and exhale through the nose (10-15 times) NB. In case a child can't curl their tongue, they can also clench their teeth together and inhale through the mouth and then closing their mouth, they can exhale through the nose. Benefits This calms and relaxes the children when they are really excited and hyper. This pranayama is also very beneficial if the children are very hot or if they have a fever as it cools the body temperature. Today, June 21, marks the first ever International Day of Yoga, as declared by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2014; an event driven by Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, a faithful practitioner himself.
Yoga is a 6,000+-year-old physical, mental and spiritual practice with origins in India. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means ‘to unite’. It is the union of the body, mind and spirit. Let’s look after our body by exercising regularly. Let’s ensure we have good, positive and uplifting thoughts and do a daily meditation practise to feed the soul. Yoga is not just physical exercise; it is the way of life. Yoga itself is a body free from disease, a mind free from confusion, reaching out to help people in need. Yoga is about being present in the moment; about being happy and spreading joy around. Let’s all join hands in making this world a better place. Stay Happy, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed. There are seven major chakras that interact with the body, and the eight one encompasses them all. All the main chakras are connected by a channel of energy known as the Shushmana that travels up the center of the spine and around the brain. Even though they are unseen, our chakras interact with and influence our thoughts, moods and health. When any of our chakras get blocked, energy ceases to flow smoothly through the body causing a sense of imbalance. Each Chakra plays an important function and connects to different vital organs within us. 1. The Sahasra or crown Chakra located at the top of our head connects us to the spiritual world and serves to integrate all levels of our consciousness. Imbalances in this chakra can cause headaches, mental illnesses, brain disorders and coordination problems, epilepsy, blood vessel problems, and skin disorders. 2. The Ajna or third-eye chakra located between our eyes encourages us to listen and trust our intuition and insight and releasing hidden and repressed negative thoughts. One of the most important chakras with regards to depression, a blockage of this chakra can result in mood swings, anger and sleep disorders. 3. The Visuddha or the throat chakra – located as the name suggests in the neck region, is connected to our speech faculties and our ability to express ourselves. When this chakra is out of alignment, it can result in thyroid imbalances, swollen glands, mouth, jaw, tongue, neck and shoulders problems, hyperactivity and hormonal disorders such as PMS, mood swings, bloating and menopause. 4. Next is the Anhata or heart chakra associated with emotions, the heart and feelings of empathy, love, forgiveness and self-acceptance. A slowdown in energy flowing through this chakra can result in problems associated with the heart, breathing disorders, heart and breast cancer, chest pain, high blood pressure immune system problems and muscular tension. 5. Located just above the navel, the Manipuri or Solar plexus chakra controls our sense of self, confidence and intellect. This chakra is associated with digestive problems, ulcers, diabetes, hypoglycemia, constipation, nervousness, toxicity, parasites, colitis and poor memory. Emotional imbalances include issues of personal power and self-esteem, our inner critic comes out and fears of rejection and criticism. 6. The Svadisthana or spleen chakra located in the lower abdomen. Connected to our sensing abilities and issues related to feelings and the ability to be social. A lack of energy flow to this chakra is associated with reproductive issues, urinary problems, kidney dysfunctions, hip, and pelvic and low back pain. Emotional imbalances include our commitment to relationships. Our ability to express our emotions; our ability to have fun, play based on desires, creativity, pleasure, sexuality and fears of impotence, betrayal, addictions. When this chakra is balanced, we have an ability to take risks, we are creative; we are committed. 7. The root or the Muladhara chakra situated at the base of the spine and one of the most important chakras deals with basic survival and the right to exist. Physical imbalances in the root chakra include problems in the legs, feet, rectum, tailbone, immune system, male reproductive parts and prostrate gland. Those with imbalances here are also likely to experience issues of degenerative arthritis, knee pain, sciatica, eating disorders, and constipation. Emotional imbalances include feelings affecting our basic survival needs: money, shelter and food:; ability to provide for life’s necessities. When this chakra is balance, you feel supported, a sense of connection and safety to the physical world, and grounded. 8. The energy field that surrounds our bodybody, as a whole is known as the Aura. The aura is the protective shield that encloses the other chakras. It changes in colour, brightness and size depending on your general physical health, thoughts and feelings. The aura normally extends several feet in every direction and can grow brighter and larger with consistent healthy body, mind and spirit practice such as Kundalini yoga and meditation. So how do we balance the Chakras? Kundalini yoga and meditation are powerful tools to activate, transform and balance the chakras in the body. Another effective way of balancing our chakras is by using the power of positive affirmations. Our thoughts create our reality, and by regularly practicing positive affirmations we can achieve positive results in our lives. Here is an example of a positive affirmation to balance the throat chakra. “Consciously breathe deeply with the focus on the throat and affirm ‘I feel safe, my thoughts are positive and I feel supported by the universe to express freely what I want” When the Chakras are balanced, one is able to experience a shift in attitude and awareness. After the Kundalini energy rises and becomes accustomed to flowing freely through all the chakras, there is definite change of consciousness, a noticeable transformation in the character of an individual. The person achieves balance, a sense of being centered, and a world -view of a raised sense of consciousness, causing a transformation in their behaviour Stay healthy, happy and holy Satnam Do you feel like there is something missing in your life? Is it love, prosperity, success, the ability to express your self freely or something else? Are you fearful? Are you depressed? Balancing your energy centers may help… Find out which energy center is blocked and what you can do to bring them into alignment. Our bodies are made up of energy centers that are in constant state of motion and realignment in complex patterns. The yogic name for these centers is Chakras. Start your day with a healthy and energising fruit smoothie.
Made in minutes, a glassful of this delicious fusion will keep you going for hours. Ingredients: 1 banana 1 apple, A handful of strawberries and blueberries 2 tablespoons of plain bio yoghurt or a fruit yogurt. Whip these up in a blender to create a mouth-watering smoothie that will nourish your body with essential nutrients. Add some seeds - linseeds, pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, chia seeds or flax seeds. Rich in vital elements such as Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Zinc and Omega 3, they have a number of health benefits including immunity building, post-menopausal management, anti- diabetic properties, bone health, skin health and heart and liver health among others. Click on this link to find out more about the health benefits of adding seeds to your diet. http://bodyunburdened.com/health-benefits-of-seeds/ I often get asked… “What is Yoga”?
Yoga is different things to different people. For me, Yoga is THE way of life; living life to the fullest and being true to yourself and others. Yoga is not just about physical workout or stretches. It’s much more than that... It is about purifying the mind through meditation and consciously being aware of the thoughts entering our minds and then filtering them. When I think of Yoga I think of the following principles as fundamental. Embrace Positivity. It is vital to think positive and uplifting thoughts and surround yourself with like-minded people. Positivity breeds positivity and negativity attracts more negativity. Try and eliminate negative thoughts. Breathe long and deep. Long deep breathes also work to focus the mind. The more oxygen we take in the healthier we feel. Stay happy. Happier people stay healthier. Watch funny videos; laugh freely, it releases endorphins (the feel-good hormone). The release of endorphins leads to feelings of euphoria, modulation of appetite and enhancement of the immune response. With high endorphin levels, we feel less pain and fewer negative effects of stress Eat healthy. Doing right by your body pays off for your mind. Be in touch with nature. Go for nature trails and walks, walk barefoot on the grass- it has a beautiful calming effect on the mind. Be there for someone who needs you and listen patiently to a friend or a neighbour.... People feel intense happiness when they have leant a helping hand… or ear. Yoga is about having an attitude of gratitude. Being grateful for all that we are blessed with. One of my favourite quotes is: “The most wonderful things in life cannot be seen or touched, they have to be felt from the heart.” Helen Keller My friends, Yoga is about being in touch with your inner self. Align your body, mind and spirit and see the wonders unfold in your life. Stay Positive! Stay Happy! Stay Healthy! Stay Blessed! I recently came across this verse and it instantly resonated with me. This is the Truth, a Truth I hold very close to my heart. To experience inner happiness we need to look within and embrace this divine truth.
Priya has been running yoga classes at Northwood College for 3 years. At Northwood College we believe that it is essential to care for the overall wellbeing of the child. Yoga is integrated in our curriculum for the Nursery girls and Priya runs after school clubs for all girls from Reception through Year 6.
Yoga has the benefit of improving flexibility,balance and coordination. Many parents and staff have noticed that the girls have also improved their concentration and boosted their self confidence. Much of this is down to Priya's calm and kind approach to her work with the girls.All the girls are enthusiastic and keen to attend the club, infact the demand is so great, we have put on extra Yoga Paradise sessions. |
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