This paper was presented at
Psychology: The Indian Contribution
National Conference on
Indian Psychology, Yoga and Consciousness
organised by the Indian Council of Philosophical Research
at the Sri Aurobindo International Centre of Education
Pondicherry, India, 10-13 December 2004
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Implementation of Yoga programs in schools: Need of the hour
Manju Sharma G. B. M. College, Gaya.
Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back about 5,000 years. Today more and more Yoga practices in the West and in India focus on the physical postures called asanas, the breathing exercises called pranayama, and on meditation. However, there is more to it than that and the deeper you go the richer and more diverse the tradition becomes. The present study aims for the implementation of Yoga programs in schools. Keeping this in view, local schools were examined by asking questions from principles, teachers and from parents. The questions dealt with problems, children, teachers and parents are facing, especially problems of adjustment. Children have many problems and experiences which their parents, teachers and others never had and are often unable to understand. The way parents and teachers treat children has a profound impact not only on family reactions abut also on the childrens attitudes, behaviour, mental health and adjustment to their environment. Yoga is being regarded as an important measure for better adjustment. Therefore there is an urgent need to include Yoga exercises in the school curriculum so that from the very beginning the children will learn to adjust with their problems and have better life and healthy minds and bodies.