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Yoga for Teenagers
By Dr. Prafulla Dorle - Dr. Prafulla is a Doctor, senior yoga teacher
and yoga therapist from Yoga Vidya Gurukul. He has rich experience in Anatomy &
Physiology of Yoga practices, he is teaching and practicing yoga for the last 10
years along with his medical profession.
Yoga for Teenagers
The Teen
age is the changeover in life. It is the time of transitions in life, the age which
marks the end of childhood and the start of youth. This major changeover in life
is marked by changes on a mental, emotional and physical level. It is also the time
when responsibilities and expectations are increasing.
The major problems during this age are that of emotional disturbance, depression,
anxiety, loneliness and lack of concentration. This young generation is in a mind
state of rebelling against the society and against tradition. They become more aggressive
and restless, ideas and thoughts in the mind increase and it is a time when the
mind can become obsessed by one single thought, without the ability to discriminate
between the good and bad. Anti-social thoughts in the mind may increase and they
try to break the barriers of tradition and social rules. They always want a new
means of expression and rectification of the so called injustice done to them. On
the physical level they experience many changes in their body such as the development
of secondary sexual characteristics and of the sex organs, as well as the pumping
of sex hormones in the body. These changes during puberty can be disturbing if they
are not aware and/or educated about it. It is also the time when they feel the need
for venting out their sexual urge and energy. All these problems can be attributed
to the imbalance in the emotional, physical, mental and pranic levels. The pineal
gland begins to degenerate at the age of eight years. At the same age the pituitary
gland development is accelerated. The pituitary gland in turn accelerates the release
of various hormones in the body. All the endocrine glands are stimulated and they
release their hormones into the blood. The sex hormones are released into the blood
at the same time. It can become difficult for the child to cope with these powerful
sex hormones as it occurs before the child has the mental and emotional stability
as well as the maturity. It can cause an imbalance of the mental and physical development
and the utilisation of their bioenergy. Because of this imbalance the various endocrine
glands in the body are unable to coordinate and cooperate with each other, leading
to various behavioural problems. In particular, the functioning of the thyroid and
adrenal glands is important as they control various emotions, moods and stress on
the human body.
Yoga can help to correct this imbalance. It helps to develop the mental and emotional
maturity to coordinate with the physical effects of various hormones. The practice
of surya namaskar, deep breathing and chanting of mantras will delay the process
of degeneration of the pineal gland. Because of this the hormone release in the
blood is delayed till the child is mentally and emotionally prepared for the influence
of various hormones on the body. The practice of shambhavi mudra helps to improve
the functioning of the pineal gland and delays the secretion of sex hormones.
Asanas -The practice of all the major asanas along with surya namaskar
should be increased at this age as it helps to make use of the excessively imbalanced
physical energy in a proper manner. In particular, asanas like shoulder stand, fish
pose and half spinal twist help to balance the endocrine system.
Meditation
-The practice of meditation should be limited to the chanting of mantra
and visualisation. During this time it is difficult to concentrate and meditate
by closing the eyes. The mind if not mature enough, it needs something concrete
which can be seen or touched. So the open eye meditation ?trataka? will be helpful
to calm down the mind and increase concentration. Visualisation of abstract and
concrete things will be helpful in balancing the mind and emotions.
Relaxation
-Relaxation by yoga nidra can help to reprogram the brain. It will
give time for the child to be with himself. The practice of yoga nidra helps to
reconsider and reconstruct the positive thought processes in the mind. It will also
help to balance the various emotions and moods.
Deep breathing -Deep breathing practices should be practiced without
retention or kumbhaka. In short the ancient life moulding science of yoga will help
to keep the balance of the disturbing factors within a teenager?s life and help
them to develop their body and vitalise their mind.
Dr. Prafulla Dorle
