When I was a child, PE lessons generally consisted of a heated game of rounders in the park, followed by a packet of plain crisps and a soggy cheese sandwich. Now, you're more likely to find the little ones in a yoga studio, slowly stretching into downward-facing dog and concluding their efforts with a gentle "namaste". How times have changed.
Yoga for kids is becoming more and more commonplace, as parents begin to realise that they're not the only ones who can benefit from the mind-soothing effects of regular practice. Even Gwyneth Paltrow's children are reportedly part of the young yogi brigade.
There is good reason for this. Studies show that children and teenagers reap psychological rewards from yoga; research led by Jessica Noggle of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, found that students in grades 11 and 12 who practised yoga experienced positive psychological effects, such as an improvement in negative emotions. The researchers noted that since mental health disorders commonly develop during the teenage years, yoga might serve a preventative role in adolescent mental health.
But you don't need to wait for teenage angst to set in before ferrying your child off to an emergency yoga retreat, as even the younger ones benefit. According to Sasha Quince, a yoga teacher and the founder of Let's Go Yoga in Abu Dhabi, these benefits include improved coordination, motor skills, self-control, concentration and discipline, and an increase in confidence and self-esteem.
The demand for kids' yoga seems to be increasing, too, as more and more classes are popping up in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
"I believe the popularity is growing for the same reason that yoga for adults is so popular," says Quince, whose weekly classes accommodate children from as young as three. "During practice, we discover what is good for us and understand that yoga is not a competitive sport, rather, it is about the joy of movement and self-improvement. As an adult or child, once you experience a class you tend to feel really good when you leave."
The yoga teacher explains how the various poses and movements in a typical class for kids develop strength, posture and flexibility, while the breathing exercises not only teach children how to use their breath properly, but show them how the breath, body and mind are all connected.
"The games involved in a typical class help balance children's energy levels so that after the session, those who are extremely active will tend to be calm and children who are more quiet tend to become more alert," she explains. Yoga was the perfect choice for Nesli Simonutti's daughter, Alessia, who is five. Simonutti, who works in market intelligence in Abu Dhabi, started taking her daughter to yoga classes last October.
"I wanted her to try something different, make new friends and get a sense of a different culture. Yoga was perfect for Alessia since she doesn't like chaos or activities where there is too much running around. She enjoys the calm, organised and reflective nature of yoga," she says.
Simonutti believes yoga has helped her daughter come out of her shell and that it encourages children to think about their movements. "Kids can see how good it feels to put their body into shapes and stretch in different ways," she explains. "They can also relate to us a bit better when we tell them we want to sit down for five minutes and relax."
So the next time your little ones are destroying the house while on a sugar high, it's worth considering the yogic route of parenting. Ask them to lie down in "savasana" (on their backs, arms and legs spread at about 45 degrees) and to remain there as long as possible. Then put the kettle on and enjoy the silence for however long it lasts.
artslife@thenational.ae
Company%20profile
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas
Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Company%20Profile
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BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
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The%20Specs
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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Dark Souls: Remastered
Developer: From Software (remaster by QLOC)
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Price: Dh199
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now