Page 34 - My School Voice_April to June 2023

Young students have a lot of energy and full of life. Yoga can do tremendous influence on them. When these young students are made to practice
YOGA FOR STUDENTS
Sir. Sandip Shil
33
certain yogic "asana", "pranayamas", "meditation" etc - they get into the habit of a disciplined system in their life. It brings them a balanced control of
body and mind. It makes them aware of the greatness of life. Yoga helps inculcate a positive approach to life in young students. The practice of yoga by
students make them not only control their mind, body and emotions but also improve their intelligence and other faculties of mind.
The word "Yoga" is derived from Sanskrit which means union or join. Yoga unites or integrates all the aspects of an individual- body, mind and spirit.
Yoga is a science primarily aims at human development. It is nothing but a tool for self-discipline and of an integrated technology of self-culture and
self-education. Human body, mind and thinking capacity as a whole is the greatest wonderful machine created by the Almighty God. And the ultimate
goal of Yoga is to unite and introduce to the Almighty God for the salvation of every individual. People of any Faith can practice YOGA for disciplining
themselves both in mind and body.
Yoga Asanas help us to purify and strengthen the body and control our mind. They promote muscles flexibility, bones and heart tissue strength,
massage the internal organs and balance various internal glands. The most important yoga exercises are as Surya namaskar, Sarvangasana,
Matsyasan, Halasana, Chakrasana, Bhujangasana, Shavasana etc. Surya namaskar - is one of the most important postures as it combines the
benefit of physical exercises. It is the combinations of various asanas, that is, there are twelve spinal positions. ..It is a dynamic posture and can be
repeated this as many time as possible .It increases the flexibility of body and improves the quality of circulation of blood.
However, in order to derive the maximum benefit of asanas, one should know the following:-
1. Asana should be performed in a slow and graceful manner without making any jerky and violent movements.
2. The mind should be kept in a calm and relax fashion.
3. The breath should be normal.
4. The best time for practice of yoga asanas is either in the morning or in the evening.
5. The place of practice must be clean, airy, even floor, free from noises etc.
6. A few general warming up exercises or Surya namskar is needed before practice of asanas.
7. Suitable dress for the practice of Yoga asana is needed.
8. A set of asanas should be selected - it may be of 5 asanas- each asana 3 times daily.
9. At last, a guide is needed for novices/ new learners.
The most advantage of Yoga for the students is that they can practice inside the room and without any equipment for their physical fitness. Now-a-
days, especially in the urban areas young students have very less physical work. As a result obesity, overweight, depression, unhealthy bad habits etc
are found in them. They may practice yoga everyday in the morning and evening for one hour daily for their physical fitness. Though the practice of
yoga is a personal matter for their personal development only but recently yoga has become a very popular as well as an international matter. 21st
June is declared by UNO as International Yoga Day. Thus, yoga established in the world community as an important practical subject for the students.