Sumedha Sen
Yoga involves physical and mental practices that keep our bodies physically fit and help control our minds. Yoga originated in ancient India but is now practised worldwide. Yoga has numerous health benefits, like improving flexibility, increasing strength, and improving mental health. Yoga helps to get relief from many chronic health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Yoga also helps people suffering from anxiety and depression. Yoga is beneficial for every age group. In this modern age, where the youth are facing anxiety and depression and are more engaged in gadgets and technology, yoga should be included in the school curriculum because it will help nurture them mentally, physically, and emotionally. Yoga provides the perfect building block for a healthy and fulfilling life. Some of the benefits of yoga for children are:
1. Increases immunity
Maintaining the immune system in children is essential. Yoga helps to improve the body’s resistance and helps to build a strong defence mechanism that helps to improve the immune system.
2. Enhances concentration and memory
With meditation and other yoga practices, yoga works on memorising skills. This leads to better concentration and academic performance.
3. Reduces respiratory and digestive problems
Yoga focuses on respiratory problems and helps in the proper circulation of blood throughout the body. Children frequently experience indigestion and stomach pain. Yoga helps improve digestive health by strengthening the digestive system.
4. Develops self-confidence and self-esteem
Endorphins released during yoga practice help to release stress and boost confidence. Yoga allows kids to make mistakes and celebrate small improvements in their practice. This regular practice and improvement boosts self-esteem and builds a positive body image in young children.
5. Improves emotional regulation
Yoga helps children deal with their emotions. The awareness that they gain through yoga helps to build a balanced state of mind.
As yoga has many health benefits, it must be mandatorily included in the school curriculum. Yoga enables youth to strengthen their body and mind and have a positive spirit to improve their quality of life.
If topics like Algebra in mathematics are being included in the curriculum, which have no relevance or application in our day-to-day lives, then why isn’t yoga being mandatorily included in the curriculum of educational institutions, which leads to the overall growth of an individual? This is indeed something to ponder.
It is high time that yoga be included in every educational institution, especially considering the stress levels that children go through. Not just for the well-being of the children, yoga will also provide them with a time to relax from the hectic academic schedule. Today, many children show violent behaviour; practising yoga will bring calmness to their minds and souls. As yoga includes controlled breathing and meditation, it will help them learn self-control and stop them from being impulsive in any kind of emotional situation or circumstance. Hence, this will help them control their anger issues and take rational decisions. Children nowadays consume a lot of junk food, which leads to problems like obesity. Practising yoga will keep them healthy, but it is also important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet. This will lead to the holistic development of the children.
