As part of the project, introductory workshops to Art of Living programs were carried out for students aged 10-12. Through games and activities, children learned asanas (yoga postures) to strengthen the body, breathing techniques to release stress and tension, as well as improve concentration. They also experienced meditation and relaxation. During the interactive processes, topics related to building friendships, coping with stress and creating inner strength were discussed.
A total of seven workshops were held. The children participated in the activities with great interest, were active and had fun. Teachers also participated in the workshops and were amazed at how simple breathing techniques and meditation make the children calm, focused and smiling.
Can children practice yoga at all? What are the benefits of exercise? These questions and many others like it often occupy the minds of parents. Our girls at Art of Living think yoga is a great option for kids. In fact, they had the opportunity to teach yoga at a primary school in Reykjavik. Children, often for the first time in their lives, had the opportunity to experience the combination of body, breath and mind. They also learned meditation and relaxation techniques. Regularly performed asanas (yoga exercises), in addition to improving physical condition, develop children’s awareness of their own body, strengthen their psyche, give them self-confidence, and meditation allows them to calm down, improve concentration, memory and ability to learn. Yoga and meditation are extremely valuable in restoring psychophysical balance in children, especially in the difficult times of Covid and the related lockdowns.
