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Jivamukti yoga is a method of yoga which was created by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984, and which reintegrates the physical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga. The Jivamukti method of yoga is one of the nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha yoga, the other eight being Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral, Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini. In the west the rather physical part of yoga is mainly emphasized. More and more people start taking yoga classes in order to make their bodies firmer and fitter.
Yet, lots of practitioners come to realize that what may seem a very strenuous physical workout is in fact a way to the inner self that opens one towards spirituality. David Life and Sharon Gannon became teachers because they were eager to share the fact that yoga represents more than just some physical exercises, but also a spiritual practice, a path to enlightenment. Jivamukti yoga thus becomes a living translation of the Indian system of yoga for the western minds so that it can be easier to grasp. Among the elements emphasized by Jivamukti yoga we can count meditation, devotional chanting or the study of the ancient texts.
The meaning of the word Jivamukti (pronounced Jee-va-mook-tee) can be translated as follows: Jiva means individual soul and mukti means liberation. The word is derived from the Sanskrit jivanmuktih, which translates liberation in this life. The name Jivamukti yoga reflects the fact that it is possible to enjoy positive achievements and fulfillment while also progress spiritually, perhaps even attaining liberation while living.
There are five tenets of Jivamukti yoga which must be considered before taking into account the practice of it. The first one is the study of the ancient yoga teaching including Sanskirt chanting. Then comes the necessity to acknowledge that reaching the universal consciousness is the purpose of all yoga teachings. The third tenet is Ahimsa, that is a non-violent, compassionate life-style, and hence we’ve got the importance of ethical vegetarianism. Nada comes forth, as the development of a sound body and mind through deep listening. The last tenet of Jivamukti yoga, although not the least, is meditation, the connection with the unchanging reality within. Keep in mind that Jivamukti yoga classes are pretty intense, so you’d better be prepared for the challenge. Although it may seem difficult, its success in the United States cannot pass unnoticed; there is a Jivamukti yoga School in New York, and there are trained teachers teaching it all over the country.
For more about Tibetan yoga schools and yoga instructors Monroe NY, check out our web site.
This article has been written due to comprehensive case study. As a mother and professional in the field of Yoga, I’m confident it will help you understand this important subject.
Part of an educational formula, kids yoga helps the young ones cope with stress in the best of ways. If in India children receive yoga classes at very small ages, but in the West, parents make the choice whether to train their kids or not. The very good part about it results from the possibility of the children to develop self-awareness and spirituality more quickly and better than a grown-up. Yoga for kids teaches mind and body control as well as it helps develop lots of positive behavioral elements. It can be shown that yoga training does effectively decrease bullying and increase anger management for 4th and 5th grade students with whom I have personally worked. The rationale for this hypothesis was based on the first vow of raja yoga, ahimsa, that one vows to be non-violent to self and others.
Presently, some schools include kids yoga as an additional curricular activities, but most of the time classes are independent. Just like dance and karate lessons, kids yoga can be easily squeezed in the child’s schedule. Therapeutic studies indicate that yoga has brought the germs of recovery in the case of children who suffer from hyperactivity or attention deficit. kids yoga with such behavioral problems soothes the nerves and channels the moving impulses in a non-destructive manner. Calm, balance and self-confidence are the great benefits to result from yoga-for-kids programs. The children learn yoga philosophy, practice yoga postures, learn breathing and concentration techniques, as well as, traditional conflict resolution strategies and dialogues.
Moreover, with yoga, kids learn how to conquer victories over mind and body and how to peacefully cooperate. A good advantage of young bodies is that the anatomical flexibility makes the postures a lot easier to achieve; adults on the other hand need to work a lot more to reach the mobility level necessary to practice yoga. Although the physical part is not that challenging, a major obstacle comes from meditation and relaxation, particularly because kids enter such states more difficultly. Therefore, visualization remains the main way of helping young and grown up yoga trainees get into the relaxed state of mind.
The posture names in kids yoga classes are often very suggestive if we think of the fact that they are better learned when they mean something. Thus, postures have clever names like bridge, cobra, mountain, cat, dog and so on; the children will actually make their best to become any type of time traveler even if only for a short while. Moreover, the practice of kids yoga is never pushed to the limit where it can cause pain, it needs to remain safe, comfortable and attractive for children to make progresses.
A comprehensive yoga program can greatly reduce violence and bullying, but, the long term lasting effects are still unclear but should be obvious at this point. The results of this intervention acknowledge yoga as an effective method for increasing anger management skills and decreasing physical outbursts of violence for upper elementary school age children during the time of implementation of a competently applied program.
This article was written to provide you with knowledge about the subject of why Yoga for Kids is so important in today’s world. I appreciate you taking your time to read it. Visit my site to see focused kids and proven results.
Kids yoga is generally considered not an educational formula but rather a way of showing children ways to cope with stress. If in India children receive yoga classes at very small ages, but in the West, parents make the choice whether to train their kids or not. The very good part The great advantage of yoga for kids is that they develop self-awareness and get in touch with their inner part a lot sooner and better than an adult. Kids yoga teaches body and mind control as well as it helps develop lots of positive behavioral elements. It can be shown that yoga training does effectively decrease bullying and increase anger management for 4th and 5th grade students with whom I have personally worked. The rationale for this hypothesis was based on the first vow of raja yoga, ahimsa, that one vows to be non-violent to self and others.
Presently, some schools include yoga for kids as an additional curricular activities, but most of the time classes are independent. Just like dance and karate classes, yoga for kids can be easily squeezed in the child’s daily program. Therapists point out the fact that yoga has had very good results in the case of hyperactivity or deficit disorder cases. yoga for kids with such behavioral problems soothes the nerves and channels the moving impulses in a non-destructive manner. Self-confidence, balance and calm are the great outcomes to result from yoga-for-kids programs. The children learn yoga philosophy, practice yoga postures, learn breathing and concentration techniques, as well as, traditional conflict resolution strategies and dialogues.
Moreover, with yoga, kids learn how to conquer victories over mind and body and how to peacefully cooperate. The anatomical flexibility specific to young age makes postures a lot easier to perform; adults on the other hand need to work a lot more to achieve enough mobility to practice yoga. The more difficult part with yoga for kids is the relaxation technique, since many children find it difficult to keep their eyes closed, not to mention stand still while doing so. Therefore, visualization proves the best way of helping young and grown up yoga trainees get into the relaxed state of mind.
The posture names in yoga for kids classes are often very suggestive if we think of the fact that they are better learned when they mean something. Thus, postures have clever names like bridge, cobra, mountain, cat, dog and so on; the children will actually make their best to become any type of time traveler even if only for a short while. Moreover, trainers never push the practice of yoga for kids to the limit of pain, as the activity wouldn’t be that attractive with an extra pressure.
Dee Marie
In most forms of Yoga there are three components to the practice; breathing, concentration and physical poses also known as asanas. The two poses below are the most common asanas used in Western Yoga practice today.
Padma-Asana: Probably the most famous and well-known pose; the Padma-asana is referred to as the Lotus Position. The root of the words to this pose mean to “bend”, and “snake”. Think of it as the maneuvering of the body into a position that requires the flexibility and smoothness of a snake.
To practice this pose, sit down and place the right foot on the left thigh and the left foot on the right thigh. The soles of the feet should be facing towards the sky. Next, the palms of the hands are also turned toward the sky and placed on the corresponding thigh. It is a difficult pose to retain for long periods of time if the body is not properly conditioned. It is therefore paramount to begin with short periods and work into a longer time frame.
Sirsha-Asana: The Headstand Pose. The benefits of the notorious head stand pose are to increase the physical and mental health of the person practicing it. The pose encourages balance and stability on the physical level and mental acuity on the intellectual level. Additionally, it improves blood flow throughout the body and helps to decrease tension and stress in the lower limbs.
To practice this pose, begin in a kneeling position. Lean forward to place the arms, from hands to elbows, flat on the floor, and interlock the fingers of both hands. The head should be placed between the hands, flat on the floor. Push up from the kneeling position on the tips of the toes keeping head on the floor. Slowly bring the legs into an extended, upright hand stand position, keeping the entire body aligned, straight and balanced. Special breathing techniques are also employed during this pose which enhances the overall effect of the asana.
Rachel Dayer runs and operates http://www.mustask.com, a health related portal.
Children’s Yoga in School for Bullying Prevention
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Dee Marie, M.A., S.Y.T.
“Jivatam Jyotiretu Vidyam,” “True education (self-knowledge) enlightens human life,” according to Shrii Prabhat Rainjan Sarkar the founder of the international Neohumanist Education System and the Ananda Marga Schools.
“If we wish to create lasting peace we must begin with the children” Mahatma Gandi
There is a growing concern throughout America regarding the increase in childhood stress, bullying, and violence. Living in Colorado, we are haunted by the incident at Columbine High School when two students felt the need to take revenge and take action in a violent manner leaving 15 dead and creating fear and sadness in the hearts of students and parents. This was the first wake up call that affluent, suburban schools were not always safe places. Violence and bullying continue to escalate according to statistics. Seventeen states across the United States report having instituted laws to reduce or eliminate bullying in schools.. In Colorado, each school district is required to have a bully prevention policy and program. This paper will discuss a classically based yoga program incorporated within an upper elementary school system in Boulder, CO. The main hypothesis of this project was to evaluate whether yoga training would effectively decrease bullying and increase anger management for 4th and 5th grade students. The rationale for this hypothesis was based on the first vow of raja yoga, ahimsa, that one vows to be non-violent to self and others.
The yoga curriculum was presented for six, 45 minute sessions during the academic school day for 101, 4th and 5th grade students in 2004, repeated for 108 students in 2005 and reviewed again for 105, students in 2006. The children learned yoga philosophy, practiced yoga postures, learned breathing and concentration techniques, as well as, traditional conflict resolution strategies and dialogues. Through the use of pre and post questionnaires the program was evaluated and statistics obtained. The program proved to be successful and effective. Boulder students’ self reported a decrease by 60% in their own bulling behavior and a 42% decrease in regard to being bullied by others at school A comprehensive yoga program can greatly reduce violence and bullying, but, the long term lasting effects are still unclear. The results of this intervention acknowledge yoga as an effective method for increasing anger management skills and decreasing physical outbursts of violence for upper elementary school age children during the time of implementation. Click the Download link to read more….
More on children’s yoga and kids yoga in upcoming posts……………