Yoga Education: Its Benefits and Challenges
By Krishna K. Bista PSE 6680 Dr. Davidson
Mantra The thought manifests as the word; The word manifests as the deed; The deed develops into habit; And habit hardens into character. So watch the thought and its ways with care And let it spring from love Born out of concern for all beings. The Buddha
(Eds. Amidon and Roberts, 1996, p. 13)
Introduction: • a set set of ph phys ysic ical al and and men menta tall exer exerci cise ses, s, whi which ch is is intended to give control over the body and mind (CALD,2002 ) • “yog “yoga” a” ~ a rela relati tion onsh ship ip of Bo Body dy,, Mind Mind an and d Sp Spir irit it • Upanishads , great Hindu literature," There is the path of joy, and there is the path of pleasure, i.e. Yoga Karma” • “Yog “Yoga a is a sop sophi hist stic icat ated ed syst system em fo forr achi achiev evin ing g radiant physical health, superb mental clarity and therefore therefore peace peace of mind” (Schiffman (Schiffmann, n, 1996). 1996). • rega regard rded ed as a phys physic ical al dis disci cipl plin ine, e, one one tha thatt teac teache hes s strength, flexibility, and balance of body.
yoga practice • cons consis ists ts of pos postu ture res s or asan asanas as tha thatt str stren engt gthe hen, n, stretch, and align the body • Ea Each ch po post stur ure e requ requir ires es comb combini ining ng th the e min mind, d, bod body, y, and breathing practices. • Bersma & Visscher (2003), ch children ar are na natural yogis. Taking a moment to breathe, relax, or stretch that will leave students calm, alert, and ready to learn. • Yo Yoga ga cla class ss as as a war warmm-up up or or moti motiva vati tion onal al one one.. Sho Short rt yoga exercises as welcome break or pick-me-up in a classroom setting. • a gif giftt even even in mili milita tary ry clas classe ses. s. Ma Many ny sold solder ers s are are provided regular yoga classes in their military camps (Nelson, 2006).
a posture or asana in yoga
National Standards for Physical Education (NASPE, 2004), • Yoga Yoga cre creat ates es opp oppor ortu tuni niti ties es for for children to explore movement with a variety of postures that can be fun and challenging. • enhances the physical and psychological health of the body,
Yoga postures
Benefits of Yoga Education Physical Benefits • a disc discip ipliline ne ~st ~stre reng ngth then en,, stre stretc tch, h, and and alig align n th the e bo body dy in in asanas. After practicing the asanas with care and awareness, one can tone and condition the body (Toscano, 2008). • de deve velo lopm pmen entt of long long lean lean mu musc scle les, s, bet bette terr pos postu ture re improves breathing, enhances digestion, better blood circulation, relaxes nervous system, and a fortifies immune system (Finger, 2000). • show shows s chi child ldre ren nh how ow to em emph phas asize ize prop proper er bo body dy alignment, which increases their ability to use their muscles and joints more efficiently. • Chil Childr dren en lov love e to role role pla play. y. M Mov ovin ing g from from p pos oses es wit with h musi music c in some game activity is a fun for young children.
Emotional and Mental Benefits • redu reduce ce stre stress ss an and d pre press ssur ure e for for chil childr dren en an and d adults. • he help lp the them m lea learn rn to to rela relax, x, te teac ach h self self cont contro rol, l, and and instill a sense of peace in their daily lives. ~Marsha Wenig (2003) • Teac Teach h chil childr dren en an and d adu adult lts s cal calmn mnes ess s and and inwa inward rd focus, which is a valuable skill in entire life. • a grea greatt men menta tall disc discip ipliline ne for for con conce cent ntra rati tion on,, and and observation skills (Finger, 2000). • self self-d -dis isci cipl plin ine e and and dev devel elop ops s inn inner er stre streng ngth th,, which improves an individual's mental outlook. • en enco cour urage age chil childr dren' en's s cre creat ativ ive e ima imagi ginat natio ion n and and self expression.
Children in Yoga Class
Adult in Yoga Practice
Challenges in Yoga Education According to Dolan (2007), • it ha has s sev sever eral al chal challe leng nges es in its its curriculum development, teaching methods, and student-teacher relationship. • Se Sequ quen enci cing ng a clas class s (tea (teach cher er an and d materials) mood, postures, music as the need of class
A difficult asana in yoga
Contd... • Stud Studen ents ts an and d Tea Teach cher er rel relat atio ions nshi hip p ~th ~ther erap apis istt and patient. teachers need to be sensitive and respectful of their student’s emotional vulnerabilities • Clas Class s Con Confl flic icts ts,, hard hard to to pred predic ictt the the mis misha hap p that that the teachers and students face in a classroom. • stud studen ent’ t’s s com compl plai aint nt abo about ut the the hea heat, t, an unwillingness to use a prop, social cultural norms in dogmatic societies. Eg. Arabian schools do not have yoga education as it’s against the tradition.
Social beliefs as drawbacks • Yoga Yoga is no nott c con onsi side dere red d as as a bas basic ic pa part rt social life. as unnecessary things as oriental stuff. Raphael Gunner (2005) • yoga yoga asa asana na as stag stages es of of fea fearr and and dan dange gerr in practicing phases. • ne nerve rves s get get struc struck, k, an and d the the tea teach cher ers s nee need d to explore the underlying feelings.
Conclusion • Yoga Yoga off offer ers s new new lea learn rnin ing g poss possib ibililit itie ies s to to a wid wider er group of students than traditional sports or fitness curriculum, making it a valuable addition to any educational program. • Ad Addi ding ng yoga yoga to a sch schoo ool'l's s cla class ssro room om will will he help lp provide a quality physical education program as a modification of traditional physical education. It can be taught as either a warm-up, or as the entire class. • Howe Howeve ver, r, cur curri ricu culu lum m spe speci cial alis ists ts,, tea teach cher ers, s, trainers and students should know and analyze seriously the real challenges of yoga education in classroom settings and real life as well.
References
Amidon, E., & Roberts. E. (Eds.) (1996). Life prayers from around the world. NY: HarperCollins. Bersma, D. & Visscher, M. (2003). Yoga games for children: Fun and fitness with postures, movements and breaths . California: Hunter House. Dollan, M. (2007). The complete yoga: The lineage of integral education. International Forum of Teaching and Studies. Marietta: Spring Spring 2007. Vol. Vol. 3. Iss 1. pp. 31-38. Retrieved April April 5, 2008 from http://proquest.umi.com.libprodxy.troy.edu/ http://proquest.umi.com. libprodxy.troy.edu/pqdlink?did=128825 pqdlink?did=1288252831&fmt=7& 2831&fmt=7&client. client. Ferry, J. (July, 2007). How yoga is changing the classroom. Independent. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from http:// www.indendent.co.uk/new www.indendent.co.uk/news/education/educations/education/education-news/45297 news/452974.htm/ 4.htm/ Finger, A. (2000). Introduction to yoga: A beginner’s guide to health, fitness and relaxation . New York, NY: Three River Press. Gunner, R. (April, 2005). Idol teachings. The Santa Fe New Mexican . Santa Fe N.M. Retrieved April 4, 2008, from http://www.proquest.umi.com.libproxy http://www.proquest.umi.com.libproxy.troy.edu/pqdlink?did=8 .troy.edu/pqdlink?did=82404611 2404611 National Association for Sport and Physical Education, (2004). Moving into the future: National Standards for Physical Education . 2nd edition. Reston, VA. Nelson, M. (July 2006). Yoga a stretch for some soldiers. South Florida Sun-Sentinel . July 16. Schiffmann, E., (1996). Yoga: The spirit and practice of moving into stillness . New York, NY: Simon and Schuster. Strategies,Vol. 21. Iss. 4, pp. 15-20. Toscano, L. (April, 2008). Yoga in physical education. Strategies,Vol. Retrieved April 5, 2008 from http://proquest.umi.com.libproxy.troy.edu/p http://proquest.umi.com. libproxy.troy.edu/pqdlink?did=1453621 qdlink?did=1453621051&fmt=7& 051&fmt=7& client Id=15382&RQT=309&Name=PQD. Weing, M. (2003). Yoga kids: Educating the whole child through yoga . New York, NY: La Martie Martiere re Group Group..
Thanks to • Dr. B. B. Da Davids vidso on, my Gur Guru u • My clas classm smat ates es na name mely ly Hyun Hyun Pa Park rk,, Jack Gillis, Jini Jung, Mark Turner, Na Meng, Qitong Zhao, Robert McNellis, Richard Pawlak, Shu Feng, Shannon Graha Graham, m, Su Su-H -Hee ee Lee Lee,, So-You So-Young ng Park, & Yue Cao
