YOGA AT SCHOOL

In consultation with M. Anne Lagorio: B.A – HUMANITY, University of California, Berkeley, USA B.A. HONORS - EDUCATION; San Francisco State University, USA	•WHAT DOES IT MEAN? •WHY TEACH YOGA AT SCHOOL? •WHAT DOES YOGASON OFFER? •BENEFITS OF YOGIC POSTURES •LEARNING OBJECTIVES •PROPOSAL
HOW CAN YOGA BE A BENEFIT TO EVERY STUDENT? Students will develop a sense of well-being, and will increase their capacity of mental concentration – will find harmony between the mind and the body. Students will develop proper breathing habits. Yoga can be adapted for all children, including the physically impaired and the overweight.
WHY IS YOGA UNIQUE? It costs virtually nothing to set up a time for yoga lessons. A 10-minute yoga session per day is adequate. There is no need for any equipment. Any open classroom is sufficient for holding a yoga class. Yoga is not presented as a religious practice, nor does it conflict with any religion. Yoga makes a significant difference in the sense of well-being of children of all ages and from all backgrounds. Yoga generates positive emotions and compassion. Yoga teaches children to be gentle with themselves and others. Regular practice of yogic postures enhances the ability of students to concentrate, to deal with impulsive behaviour, and to think more clearly. Yoga helps mental equilibrium and self-control. Yoga reduces stress and helps children to relax and release tension. Yoga helps children develop life long health habits (mental and physical), i.e. acquaints them with the option of healthy daily exercises for the brain and the body. Yoga offers students a safe and balanced way for them to relate to themselves and to their surroundings, inner & outer awareness. Practising yoga increases self-confidence as the students measure their own individual success and improvement. Yoga creates a group cooperation & vocabulary in a playful manner. Yoga has an exhilarating and calming effect, and could lead in later life to a marked reduction of stress, postural and blood pressure problems and nervous disorders. Children enjoy associating the name of a pose with the characteristics of the animal it represents.
HOW DOES EACH POSTURE HELPS STUDENTS DEVELOP MENTAL, PHYSICAL AND CULTURAL WELL BEING? A unique aspect of Yoga is the mental focus and attention that they exercise while doing the postures. The result is a toning up of both the mind and the body. In adopting and maintaining a posture there is a co-ordination between the nervous system and the muscular system, that influences the physical and mental behaviours. Yogic postures invigorate the body and keep the mind healthy and calm bringing a feeling of refreshment.
MENTAL BENEFITS Calmness of mind Increased concentration Appreciation of silence. Self-control
PHYSICAL BENEFITS Yogic postures greatly improve FLEXIBILITY. They keep the body limber by stretching the muscles and the tissues that hold the body’s structure in place giving more freedom of movement. Flexibility helps prevent joint pain and injury. Yoga stretches the body to relieve stiff joints and lengthen muscles. The postures also benefit the other systems, such as the circulation system, digestion system, nervous system & endocrine system. Some postures massage the internal organs and the glands.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES To concentrate and focus upon one thing at a time, either counting their breaths or maintaining a stretch. To learn to breath properly and to count their breaths, inhaling and exhaling. This will teach them self-control and concentration. To develop an awareness of their movement, an awareness of themselves. To develop self-confidence and respect/awareness of individual differences and abilities. To learn to observe and correct their body position in each posture, SELF ASSESSMENT. (To learn to sit with a straight back and maintain correct posture to the best of his/her ability, understanding corrections suggested by the teacher.) To become observant and aware of the personal space around and within. To coordinate movements (becoming aware of position of limbs and trunk – arms, head, back, etc. in relation to each other) To learn the importance of physical and mental relaxation, as preparation for meditation. To develop self-confidence as he/she develops the ability to stretch the mind and the body further, as he/she is aware and observant of his/her own progress.

MENTAL BENEFITS