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Yoga For Children & Right Age To Start Yoga For Them
In India, the Vedic tradition introduces children to the practices of yoga at the age of seven. Until this age, the child is with the mother, who is the guru. It is a very important period for emotional development and bonding. Children should start practicing Yoga at the age of seven when the role of the endocrine glands system comes into effect and there are chances of a kind of imbalance between certain tendencies in children from that age.
Role of Pineal Gland
At the age of seven, one of the endocrine system glands, the Pineal gland, which has a pivotal role in determining the growth of a child, begins slowly to decay. After that age, when the pineal gland starts regressing, the emotional growth gets rapid and a child may find it difficult to adjust himself if the regression is rapid. Also, sometimes the physical growth is much ahead of the mental growth, and many times the mental growth is much ahead of the physical growth, which also becomes the basis for problems in children. Physical growth here refers to the brain, nervous system, and endocrine system.
Yoga To Start For Children
Keeping in mind the above-stated factors, a child is introduced to yoga through three very important practices, viz.
- Surya Namaskara (salutation to the sun),
- Nadi Shodhana pranayama (alternate nostril breathing), and
- Gayatri mantra.
The three practices written above have a counter-effect on the decay of the pineal gland and are responsible for the physical health and mental well-being of the child. They develop clarity, focus, confidence, and the capacity to make correct decisions. The practice of Shambhavi Mudra can also be added for the further benefits of a child.
Children are the future of a Nation. Yoga is the best way to help them grow in the way they should. And this balanced growth can ensure a bright future for the Nation.
