Banana can be good for you !

Going Bananas

Bananas... This is very interesting.

After Reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at a banana in the same way again !!!

Bananas. Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy.

Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes.

But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression

According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS

Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia

High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure

This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power

200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation

High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers

One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn

Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites

Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves

Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight and at work?

Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers

The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders

because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control

Many other cultures see bananas as a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress

Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes

According to research in "The New England Journal of Medicine, "eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts

Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.

So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, "A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

How to Conquer Fear ?

Dr. Rick Levy

Fear is rampant in today’s society. You have the power to banish fear from your life, and you should resolve to do so because of its highly destructive nature. If it is allowed to go unchecked it will paralyze your efforts to succeed and eventually cause illness in your mind and body. Moreover, chronic fear generates negative energy that broadcasts out from your mind into the world around you, where it infects society and serves only to attract more fear. For all these reasons, fear must be dealt with effectively. 

At the psychological level, fear is our built-in warning system. Just like you have pain in your body to alert you to illness or injury , you have fear in your mind to alert you to a threat to your safety. When fear arises it triggers the release of stress hormones that divert blood flow away from the vital organs to the large muscles. The body does this because it is preparing to fight or run away from something - the classic “fight or flight” response. 

A single brief episode of fear serves an important function that might save your life if the threat were a street thug or a tiger. But there are so many threats that prey on the public mind these days that the stress response never abates. The result is that people succumb to a chronic fear-based stress syndrome with dangerous long-term health effects. These include poor digestion, autoimmune problems, glandular disease, retarded healing, poor functioning of vital organs like the heart and lungs, anger, rage, fear, terror, distorted thinking, impatience, erratic emotional states, memory loss, anxiety, and depression. 

At the spiritual level, chronic fear is a destructive energetic force ( avidya ) that leads us away from one another and from God. People who suffer from chronic fear tend to pull back from the collective and become increasingly more distrustful, alienated and frightened. Where there is chronic fear among many, avidya energy intensifies and becomes a contagion that will captivate the entire society. This is the purpose of avidya , which always functions to alienate people from each other and increase suffering. 

To deal with fear effectively, first recognize it as a warning when it arises - your mind is telling you to pay attention. Do not try to dismiss it or “tough it out.” Instead, slow down long enough to examine why you are fearful and honestly face the threat. Then directly address it by coming up with an effective action plan to deal with it. Do what you need to do to increase your safety (even the threat of terrorism can be minimized by changes in policy and behavior). Once you’ve done this, recognize that you’re in need of healing. 

The best antidote for fear is vidya - the virtuous forces that work to lead us into God by promoting the nobility of every person and the oneness of humankind. So to heal yourself from fear, start by doing things that make you feel secure and bring you love and happiness. Reconnect with family and friends. Make a determined effort to reach out to others in heartfelt compassion, and even consider doing a little public service. You’ll feel much better, and at the same time you’ll help shift the societal energies away from avidya disunity and into vidya unity and compassion. 

The most effective way to banish fear is to meditate. Even a little daily meditation (15 minutes) will heal you from fear. Meditation has been scientifically proven to produce the opposite of the human stress response: blood pressure goes down, circulation is equalized throughout the vital organs, immune functioning is elevated, breathing and heart rate are slowed, and brain waves relax to produce a peaceful mental euphoria. Meditation has these effects because it brings you into conscious awareness of your soul ( Atman ), which is eternal, blissful, all powerful and impervious to threats of any kind. The fountain of ensuing joy that follows soul contact in meditation is more than sufficient to banish the energy of fear from body and mind. 



Meditate in the morning, then use this simple technique to banish fear if it arises during the day in response to a new stimulus. To use it, you must remain aware of your emotions so you can intervene as soon as you feel fear rising. When it does, place your attention on the third eye (the point between the eyebrows). Then draw in a deep breath while you silently affirm “I am soul - eternal, all knowing, ever-new joy.” As you breathe out, silently chant Om . Do this (breathe in with affirmation; chant Om while breathing out) for three slow consecutive breaths. You will feel better immediately. Use the technique as often as fear rises. As you do, you will train your mind to focus constantly on the highest of vidya virtues - your unity with God - at which point, fear will cease to exist. 

Miracles of Yoga in Improving Memory Power

When you fail to remember something, which you have read, heard or seen and cannot remember despite several efforts then it is called loss of memory power or forgetful-ness. People of all age groups are suffering due to this problem. There are a number of reasons for this problem. For example, mental tension, excessive mental work or not using it at all, busy schedule throughout the day, physical and mental weakness or serious head injury.

Take balanced diet and chew it nicely it improves memory. Remember all the things done throughout the day in the chronological order. This exercise improves the memory power.

Yogic exercises are also helpful in improving memory power and reduce forgetfulness. Practice the yogic exercises with the feeling that the memory power is improving and forgetfulness is reducing.

YOGA ASANA

Yoga asana have excellent strength. Regular practice of these exercises develops the physical and mental capabilities, which improves the memory power, grasping power and intelligence. Sarvangasana and Bhujangasana are the two main asana. Regular practice of these asana cures all the physical and mental related problems and thereby improve the memory power.

SARVANGASAN

Regular practice of this asana supplies pure blood to the brain. It makes the pituitary and pineal glands healthy, activates the brain. It increases the memory power, grasping power and intelligence among the children. It activates the thyroid and pituitary glands, which result in height increase.

This is beneficial for increasing height as it activates the thyroid and pituitary glands. It cures tiredness, weakness and obesity in the children. It makes the eyes, ears, nose and other organs healthy. It improves the digestive system, activates the intestines, liver and increases the digestive fire. It cures enlarged liver, swelling, hysteria, hydrosil, hernia and constipation.

Method:

1. Lie down straight on your back. The legs should be together, join the hands to the sides and rest the palms on the ground.

2. Inhale and raise the legs at 30 degrees upwards, then 60 degrees and then 90 degrees. You can support the back while lifting the legs. If the legs cannot be kept straight at 90 degrees take them back at 120 degrees and rest the hands at the back. The elbows should rest on the ground. The paws should be straight the eyes should be closed otherwise glance at the toes. In the beginning it can be done for 2 minutes and then slowly increase the time up to half an hour.

3. While coming back keep the legs straight and bend backwards slightly. Remove both the hands from the back and rest them straight on the ground. Now, press the floor with the palms and get up in the same position as you had lied down, first back and then the legs should be laid straight on the floor. The duration for Sarvangasan and Shavasan should be the same.

Caution:

Avoid this asana in case of neck and back pain.

BHUJANGASANA

Rejuvenating asana is also beneficial for improving memory power. It cures backache, sciatica pain, slip disc, cervical spondalitis and other spinal problems.

It strengthens the thyroid, para thyroid glands. It is useful in case of asthma.

It strengthens the liver and useful in case of loss of appetite, acidity, diabetes and other stomach related problems. It makes the backbone flexible and healthy. Method: Lie down on your stomach; keep the palms on the ground on both sides of the chest. The elbows should be lifted upwards and the shoulders should be close to the chest.

The legs should be straight and joined together. The paws should be stretched facing the spine and resting on the ground. Inhale and raise the chest and head upwards. The area below the navel should rest on the ground. Raise the head and move the neck backwards as much as you can. Remain in this position for 30 seconds. Repeat as many times as you can.

Caution:

Do not practice this asana in case of hernia.

PRANAYAM

Regular practice of pranayam along with asana is helpful for all round development and improving the memory power.

Bhastrika, kapalbhati and Brahmari Pranayam are the best. They improve the memory power and cures forgetfulness.

KAPALBHATI PRANAYAM








This pranayam supplies pure life energy to the brain. It increases the blood circulation in the brain and removes blood clots thereby improving the memory power. Other than this the toxic and foreign substances from the body are evacuated. It cures cold catarrh, sinusitis, allergy, tension and other diseases. It is very useful in case of phlegm, skin disease, asthma, heart disease, high and low blood pressure, depression, tiredness, laziness, sleeplessness, migraine, joint pain etc. Obesity, diabetes, constipation, indigestion, gastric problem, disinterest and other disease are cured and give vitality. As a result the whole body becomes healthy and disease free.

Method:

Sit in Padmasana and make the pranayam mudra with the hands, close the right nostril with the thumb, and exhale with full strength from the left nostril and inhale from left nostril. Then close the left nostril and exhale from the right nostril and inhale from the right nostril.

In this way inhale and exhale from both the nostrils one by one. In the beginning practice it 20 to 25 times and gradually increase it up to 60 times or more. However practice it depending on the physical capacity.

BHASTRIKA PRANAYAM




Health improves when the brain gets pure life energy. The prana and mind become stable, nervous weakness is cured and memory power improves. It cures the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) and problems arising from brain. This cures forgetfulness. It improves appetite. It is beneficial in case of low blood pressure, depression, sleeplessness, knee pain, cold catarrh, headache, diabetes, obesity, loss of appetite and asthma.

It cures thyroid and tonsils and other throat related diseases.

It strengthens the heart and lungs. It is helpful in case of arousal of kundalini and prana Method: Sit in Padmasana. Inhale with full strength and exhale from both the nostrils as strongly as you can. Repeat inhaling and exhaling. Rest when you are tired or exhale completely after practicing this for 30-40 times.

Now place the hand near the nose and close the left nostril. Breathe from right nostril. Breathe in as much as you can, put Jalandhar Bandh followed by Moolbandh. Stop the breathe for some time. Remove the bandh and exhale from left nostril. This is one cycle of Bhastrika Pranayam. Repeat two to three times. Caution: Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity of perspiration due to heat.

BRAHMARI PRANAYAM



It cures brain generated problems, tension, worries, anger, sleeplessness, depression and other problems and improves the memory power. It cures anxiety and is useful in case of restlessness, high blood pressure, heart disease etc.

It cures diabetes, obesity, asthma, nervous weakness, and improve the memory power.

It is beneficial in case of gynecological diseases. It cures vata, pitta, kapha and other problems. It is also beneficial in case of headache, cold catarrh,

Method:

Sit in Padmasana and exhale from the nostrils slowly. Then inhale slowly. Inhale as much as you can and while exhaling produce a nasal sound. As if you are trying to produce the ma sound while chanting Om or like the honeybee whirling around the flowers. Produce this sound and exhale. Try to make this sound as sweet as possible. Close the ears with the thumbs in order to block the external noises and keep the fingers on the forehead. Inhale and exhale and produce the sound. Repeat this exercise for five minutes.

Caution: Do not shake the body while inhaling and exhaling. Do not practice it in case of high blood pressure, piles, acidity or perspiration due to heat.

OMKAR CHANTING




Omkar chanting improves the memory power. It increases the mental strengths. It arouses the Kundalini. It establishes contacts with the extraterrestrial powers.

Method:

Omkar is very significant in our lives. The letters A, O and Ma collectively make this word. The joint powers of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are included in this word. Om is powerful and spread in the entire universe but cannot we cannot experience it. Om should be chanted for introspection, produce energy in the body and circulate the strength.

Inhale and chant A, then close the mouth and say O and then close and say Ma.

Stressing on the letter A, O and Ma cures the diseases of stomach, chest and brain respectively.

It is useful for improving the memory power.

Caution:

Do not practice this asana in case of hernia problem.

Yogic Remedy for Obesity

Obesity is the biggest problem of the modern age. It is the main cause for the serious, incurable and fatal diseases. Blood pressure, heart problem, diabetes and other dangerous diseases are caused due to obesity. The body weight gradually increases when attention is not paid during childhood. This takes the form of obesity. It can be cured permanently with the intake of balanced food, proper life style and regular practice of yoga asana. This will also cure the above-mentioned diseases.

The modern science age has also accepted the miraculous benefits of yog asana. Regular practice of yog asana cures all types of diseases.

A few asana useful to fight out obesity are being given below :

Dwichakrikasan

Method : Lie down straight towards your back and keep the hands below the hips, stop the breath, raise one leg fold up to the knee, bring the ankle near the hip and rotate in a cyclic motion. Repeat this from 10 to 30 times as per the capacity.
2. Similarly repeat the exercise with the second leg.Rotate the legs without touching the ground. Make a circular shape with the legs. Repeat this 10 to 30 times as per the capacity.
3.When tired lie down in Shavasan and rest for some time and repeat the exercise in the opposite direction and rest when tired.
4.Repeat the exercise by rotating both the legs continuously in a circular motion. Inhale, told one leg up to the knee and bring towards the chest, stretch the other leg straight up to the ground. Inhale and rotate the legs as if riding a bicycle. Then repeat this in the opposite direction continuously like a cycle.
5.Those who do not have backache, heart disease or hernia can do the exercise with both the legs and then rest in Shavasan. Repeat this 5 to 10 times according to the capacity.

Benefits:

1. This is the best exercise to reduce weight. Regular practice of this asana for 5 to 10 minutes sheds out unnecessary weight and obesity can be reduced in very less time.
2. It gives proper shape to the stomach. It activates the intestines. It cures constipation, dysentery, acidity etc.
3. In case of backache do the exercise with single leg, it is helpful for backache as well.

Padvritasan

Method : Lie down straight. Raise the right leg and make a circle by rotating the leg clockwise. In this way make 5 to 20 circles without touching the ground.
2.After rotating in one direction, rotate the leg in opposite direction (Anti-clockwise). Rest in Shavasan when tired.
3.After doing this exercise with single leg do it with both the legs simultaneously. Rotate the legs up down, right-left as much as you can. Rotate the legs clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.

Benefits:

1. This asana is also for reducing extra weight.
2. It definitely reduces the fat accumulated at hips, thighs and waist and gives proper shape to the stomach.

Ardhahlasan

Method : This asana is like Uttanapadasan - the only difference is that in Uttanapadasan the legs are raised up to 30 degrees whereas in Ardhahalasan the legs are raised up to 90 degrees.
1. Lie down on your back. Keep the palms towards the floor; legs straight and both the paws should be together.
2.Inhale and slowly raise the legs up to 90 degrees and remain in this position for some time.
3.While bringing down the legs rest the legs on the floor without jerk. Rest for a while and repeat it again at least six times.
4.Those who have back ache, should raise one leg at a time.

Benefits:

1.This asana is especially useful to reduce weight.
2. It makes the intestines flexible and healthy, increases the fire of the stomach and cures constipation, gas and obesity.
3.It is also beneficial in shifting of the navel, heart disease, stomachache and respiratory problems.
4.Raising one leg at a time is specially benificial for backache problem.

Sri Sri Ravishankar on Ego

Yoga for Hair Loss

If you are suffering from hair loss and you don’t want to go under the knife, then yoga could be the answer. According to some yoga gurus, there is little solution for hair loss problems in western medicine. Hair loss in men & women is a universal phenomena caused by hereditary problems, poor diets, stress etc. Only one western prescription product minoxidil has some acceptance as a cure of hair loss. However minoxidil has little or no effect when there is actual baldness rather than thinning.

Yoga postures can help you overcome stress, anxiety, and indigestion, poor blood circulation in head, which are considered as main causes of hair loss. Headstand yoga pose can be very helpful as it contributes blood circulation in head as well as relieves tension.

Following are some of the of yogas which can help you to remove stress and improve blood circulation in head.



Downward facing dog




Standing forward bend

Camel pose




Shoulder stand



Vajrasana

The Knee to Chest (Pawanmuktasana)

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/asanas/pawanmuktasana1.asp

http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/asanas/pawanmuktasana2.asp

Apart from practicing these yogas, one can try message therapy for hair loss problems. You can take 3-5 minutes of gentle head message by using your fingertips, which will improve blood flow to hair follicles and help hair growth.

Divya Kesh Tail (Hair Oil for Hair Loss, Dandruff and Headache), which is produced by Swami Ramdev’s Divya pharmacy, can be a great cure for hair loss problems. This oil has ingredients like Bhringa-raja, Brahmi, Amalakl (Amala), Shweta Chandana & other constituents.

You can also try Reflexology by buffing of your fingernails of one hand against the other on a regular basis preferably daily twice or thrice for 5 minutes.

Meditation is another way to overcome hair loss problem as it can control stress. Sit in proper pose and observe your breathing.

Yoga for ADD/ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder aren’t just for  kids. There may be some of you who are reading this who know you’ve got it and some  who are wondering if maybe you would have been diagnosed as a child. People are  researching the effects of a regular yoga practice on the symptoms of ADD. (ADHD and ADD will heretofore be referred to as ADD. The hyperactivity part is just one of the symptoms of this problem with maintaining focused, sustained attention and it is usually but not exclusively common to young boys. Girls tend to be dubbed “spacey.”) The symptoms of ADD (ADHD) are described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of 

Psychiatric Disorders as meeting six or more of either 1) Inattention or 2)Hyperactivity/Impulsivity Symptoms and must have persisted for at least 6 months to a degree that is maladaptive and inconsistent with an individual’s developmental level.

1. Inattention 

often fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes in  homework, work, or other activities - often has difficulties sustaining attention in tasks or play activities - often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly - often does not follow through instructions and fails to finish schoolwork,  chores, or duties in the workplace  (not due    to oppositional behavior or failure to understand instructions)-often has difficulties organizing tasks and activities -often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental efforts -often loses things necessary for tasks or activities (toys, school assignments, work materials, planners) - is often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli - is often forgetful in daily activities

2. Hyperactivity/Impulsivity

  Hyperactivity

often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat - often leaves seat in classroom or in other situations in which remaining seated is expected - often runs about or climbs excessively in situations in which it is inappropriate for children (in adolescents or adults, may be limited to subjective feelings of restlessness)    often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities quietly -is often “on the go” or often acts as if “driven by a motor” -often talks excessively

 Impulsivity

 often blurts out answers before questions have been completed  - often has difficulty awaiting turn - often interrupts or intrudes on others (butts into conversations or games) 

There is a particular area of the brain that controls the above symptoms and it is the  prefrontal cortex. A PET scan reveals decreased activity in this area. The prefrontal lobes do not light up as much as a normal brain on this scan. Interestingly, as intuitive human beings, we decided that we are “adults” at age 21. That just happens to be when the prefrontal lobes have finally matured. Actually it is closer to 24 in males. That is why when you look back on the years before 21, you wonder how you could have make some of those stupid decisions and assumptions. Some of you may wonder how you actually survived intact. Well, you just weren’t working with a full deck yet. That’s why children need parents through those years when they think they know everything, sometimes to literally keep them alive. Having birthed three children in four years, there were a lot of teens around the house for a decade. There was a sign on the refrigerator that said, “Quick! Leave home now while you still know everything!” It was a great diffuser. Children and teens with ADD act on their half baked ideas and may actually seek out dangerous activities.

Things are interesting to us when we can give them our undivided attention. Even watching ants take food twice their size across a sidewalk can be fascinating to someone who can stay with the ant’s feat. People with ADD don’t find much in life interesting because they just can’t stay with it. However, if what they are doing is thrill-seekingly dangerous, the ability to focus is forced by the instinct to stay alive. Sensation seeking becomes a way of life for many boys who have ADD because finally they can focus on something. What we focus on, to the exclusion of everything else, we enjoy.

Pharmacological interventions, when they are right for an individual, can work like flippin’ magic. Being in a position where I can discuss the effects of medication with children, I do every chance I get. Comments like, “It is like the teacher is talking just to ME!” and “I am a new Jeremy!” attest to the increase in self esteem that some children have. The effects of medication range from instantaneous to the time it takes to get the right dose and type of medication. Sometimes meds don’t work because ADD isn’t the root problem. Most adults who have a psychiatric diagnosis also had problems focusing attention when young. We are pretty complicated beings. Medication can be extremely helpful for ADD. However, it is most helpful when it is part of a comprehensive behavioral plan that can foster life-long skills.

Yoga is an extremely valuable life-long practice that fosters the development of the entire physical body, the higher mental functions (to include the prefrontal cortex), as well as the spiritual body. The effects of a regular yoga practice on ADD/ADHD are not immediate like pharmacological interventions. However, they are profound and can stay with an individual forever, unlike a dose of medication that wears off. Dr. Cantwell, past director of the UCLA Child Psychiatry department described the life of an ADHD youngster as a “headlong rush into life.” Accidents and poordecisions sometimes cause serious consequences. Some such children don’t have a sense of where their bodies are in space and they suffer bodily injury far more often than the average child.

 

The phenomenon of knowing where your body is in space is called proprioception. It is a feedback mechanism that keeps us safe and functioning efficiently. Yoga is an awesome way to learn proprioception because the asanas are performed with awareness and there is ample time for feedback from both the teacher and the student. For example, when teaching a child to stand like a mountain, a teacher would say, “Now look down at your feet. Are they standing just the same? Now look up at your arms. Are they reaching up just the same?” Amazingly, some children have no idea where they are in space and surprise themselves at how much adjustment they need to make. When the whole body is involved in learning, brain function is enhanced by the integration that is coming in from the senses. Bilateral stimulation of the two sides of the brain with a prescribed flow of activity, such as a Sun Salutation, helps brain integration and makes the brain more efficient for learning. The yoga class itself is constituted by a prescribed ritual that is comforting for scattered minds. A class for these children perhaps begins with arranging your mat space, sitting on the mat, and preparing for the opening breathing practice, a Peace Breath. Peace Breath is a series of a full breath in, coordinated with the raising arms, and a slow out breath as the arms come down, palm to palm to the center of the body. The teacher suggests to the children that they bring all their attention and energy into the body as the hands come together. Next they might “pick grapes.” From their seated position, the hands reach up but this time cross the midline of the body as they reach up and over. Crossing the midline of the body enhances brain integration also and helps with balance.

 

Balancing postures are many. The children learn to balance on one foot, on their hands, and on their heads in a variety of ways. All balance postures require a focused mind. The children learn to first attend to alignment and a visual focus before moving into the balance posture. They learn the effect that talking, laughter and looking at someone else has on balance because they quickly loose it. They get instant feedback from their bodies. They know the mind affects the body. And because their minds are distractible, they seem to entertain multiple thoughts at once, or at least very few to a conclusion. Video games and television programs are enjoyable to these distractible minds because the field changes so very quickly. The next time you watch TV, count the number of seconds before the picture changes. Dr.Cantwell cautioned parents to severely limit video game and TV time because it reinforces the ADD symptoms. In yoga class, the children learn to be aware of the thoughts of the mind field and learn that they can choose to give their attention to the ones that are useful at the time. They learn that they do not have to continue to think a thought that is not useful or that can get them in trouble. This fosters the development of the executive center of the brain.

 

Written by Carolyn Reynolds