Yoga in the Montessori Classroom

"... The real purpose of the movement is generating much higher than the appetite or strengthen the lungs, it is to serve the ends of existence, the universal and spiritual nature of the economies." Maria Montessori, the absorbent mind

Not only that, Maria Montessori, a teacher and psychologist, she was also a yogi, though an Italian book. The word "Yoga" means "union", and this connection refers to the body, mind and soul. In her book, the absorbent mind, Montessori tells us: "... Movementgreat importance in the spiritual development of himself, provided that the action that occurs with the intellectual activity is linked. Both mental and spiritual growth are encouraged by this ... "For students of all ages, yoga shows the way to our heart. At the same time, it helps us create our own special place in the world around us. Yoga that Montessori pedagogy is a process of discovery.

Controlled exercise is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum.In the last six years, the Houston Montessori Center has offered yoga as the movement curriculum for early childhood teacher education. Interns learn how to make themes in nature contain a basic routine, which includes movements in all directions. Kids enjoy imitating animals while learning how their bodies feel in the various benefits ( "asanas"). Yoga for Children, a book by Mary Stewart and Kathy Phillips, is an excellent resource for teachers or parentsYoga for the study of early childhood classroom or at home.

Post Oak School's Mirani Smith includes yoga as part of the individual work in their primary education. The materials include Imaginazium Yoga Kit for Kids and a particular rug or mat. "Basically, the kids permission to use the yoga cards at any time during the day, and it seems that what happens now if they are up to a point in their work if they need to have the initiative to taketo move on, they come to me and say: "Perhaps I need to use yoga to something else to work or to get more energy, or rest on my body have begun to receive." "Mirani notes that the children yoga internalized and use it in ways that work for them as individuals." It is amazing that the children who really need it, those who do. "

Yoga cards are chosen three or four times a day. Mirani, who had knee surgery a while back, added: "ICan not most of it, I will tell them: "Show me how!" "

Another way to yoga in the classroom use is to take over is in the actual teaching, so that the children use their bodies as kinesthetic learning tools. For example, a lesson could be done through the woods suitable asanas like tree or mouse. A lesson could also form a triangle or circle to do with the poor. Many letters of the alphabet can also be created with the body.

As children reach elementary age,Bodies grow stronger and it will see more and more important for them, with a trained yoga teacher or an experienced practitioner, the body posture and make corrections if necessary to work to. "If it hurts, do not do it!" is an important rule for yogis of all ages who learn to accept responsibility for their own bodies. Because yoga is not competitive, it offers a healthy alternative to organized sports. At the same time it offers a complementary form of training for Young athletes who improve their performance.

Elementary children can deepen their knowledge of how the benefit is the body and mind. A lush still pretty shaky six-year-old discovered gravity when practicing tree pose, a cross-legged. Because this child stabilized on their attitude, their leg and her eyes were focused round ... Perhaps she found other ways for this lesson!

From his youth, students can work with abstract> Yoga. Many young people have to work with certain areas of the body as a result of sports or other activities. Gender differences are also stronger at this age. Young women are usually more flexible and want to develop strength, stretch young people often prefer to. Therefore, it is sometimes helpful to teach them separately. But nearly all students benefit from relaxation practices that can ease the tensions of adolescence.

A well-designed yogaCurriculum works well as part of a high school PE program and promotes the growth at all levels: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Montessori young people can participate more fully in setting up goals for themselves as individuals and for the class as a whole. Advanced practices such as breathing, meditation and philosophy can be introduced to these young adults. High school students are often exposed to high loads and can greatly from regular meditation and relaxation can drag proceedings.A young woman herself Yoga credited with saving lives, because it helped her cope with her anger on the roads.

The philosophy and practice of yoga are very compatible with Montessori principles. As a system of lifelong learning and development, yoga invites us to discover held. And all this, IT'S FUN! Would certainly agree with Maria Montessori.