Build Great Relationship By Bonding With Your Child Through Easy Yoga

Parenthood is a divine responsibility as you are accountable for a life other than your own. Right from their birth till as long as you live, you are their caretakers. There are so many different phases of growth and development that you have to cope with. Every phase is new and will be as special and unique as the child. As parents whose hearts are bursting at the seams with unconditional love, there is a great desire to give your child the very best of everything. There is no dearth of comforts or luxuries that is not available to a man or even a child. All this costs money of course. In the race to ensure that your child is leading the most comfortable life, there is one thing that you may be forgetting. Are you spending time bonding with your child?

Yoga Guru, Akshar spoke to HZ exclusively and told, “yoga is a great tool that can be used to promote good health along with developing a loving bond with your child. Make sure you allocate sufficient time to spend time with your child in practice and play. Keep it light and fun by doing fun poses, or a few cycles of the Surya Namaskar. Along with increasing the bond between the parent and child, you will also experience the various benefits of Yoga.” He suggested a few simple asanas and yoga practices to get started on the bonding journey.

Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskar or the Sun Salutation is our offering of gratitude to the Sun Lord. The flow consists of a scientific sequence of 8 powerful yoga poses. When these are performed in repetition, 12 counts make up half a cycle, and 24 counts done for the Right and Left sides to complete one cycle.

Though best practiced early morning on an empty stomach, one can perform the Surya Namaskar any time of the day. Apart from providing the body with a 360-degree workout, the Surya Namaskar also impacts the body and mind positively. The regular practice leaves one feeling energetic, healthy, and calm throughout the day.

Step to perform the Surya Namaskar

• Position 1: Pranam asana (The Prayer Pose)
• Position 2: Hastha Uthanasana (Raised arms pose)
• Position 3: Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
• Position 4: Ashwa sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• Position 5: Santholanasana (Plank Pose)
• Position 6: Ashtanga namaskar asana (Eight limbed salutation)
• Position 7: Bhujangasana (Cobra pose)
• Position 8: Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward dog pose)
• Position 9: Ashwa Sanchalanasana (Equestrian pose)
• Position 10: Padahastasana (Standing forward bend)
• Position 11: Hastha Uthanasana (Raised arms pose)
• Position 12: Pranam asana (The Prayer Pose)

Asanas

Eka Padasana

• Formation of the posture
• Begin with Samastithi
• Keep your back straight as you stretch your arms up and join your palms in Pranam
• Exhale and bend your upper body forward and until it is parallel to the floor.
• Keep your arms beside your ears.
• Slowly lift your right leg upwards behind you, keeping it straight.
• Your right leg, pelvis, upper body and arms form a straight line.
• Focus your gaze to a point on the floor to maintain balance.

Naukasana

• Formation of the Posture
• Lie down on your back.
• Bring your upper body 45° off the floor.
• Pivot your body weight on your hips and lift your legs 45° off the floor.
• Your toes must be aligned with your eyes
• Try to prevent a bend in the knees.
• Keep your arms parallel to the ground and pointing forward.
• Tighten your abdominal muscles.
• Straighten your back

Dhanurasana

• Dhanurasana is derived from two Sanskrit words, ‘Dhanur’ meaning bow and ‘asana means posture.
• Begin by lying down on your stomach
• Bend your knees and hold your ankles with your palms
• Have a strong grip
• Lift your legs and arms as high as you can
• Look up and hold the posture for a while

Benefits

• Opens up shoulder blades
• Burns belly fat
• Massages abdominal organs
• Strengthening of back and abdominal muscles
• The reproductive system is stimulated
• Opening of chest, neck, and shoulders
• Tones leg and arms
• Makes the spine flexible
• Relieves menstrual discomfort
• Helps reduce constipation

Chakrasana

• Formation of the posture
• Lie down on your back
• Fold your legs at your knees and ensure that your feet are placed firmly on the floor
• Bend your arms at the elbows with your palms facing the sky. Rotate your arms at the shoulders and place your palms on the floor on either side beside your head
• Inhale, put pressure on your palms and legs and lift your entire body up to form an arch
• Relax your neck and allow your head to fall gently behind

Benefits

• The chest expands and the lungs get more oxygen
• It reduces the stress and tension in the body and the eyesight becomes sharp
• This asana helps to strengthen the back and increases the elasticity of the spine
• It reduces the fat in the abdominal area and tones the digestive and reproductive organs
• It strengthens the muscles of hands and the legs
• It stimulates the endocrine glands and maintains the body metabolism at an optimal level
• It stimulates the processes of the liver, spleen, and kidneys
• It enhances the purification and circulation of blood and gives peace and clarity of thoughts and removes tiredness

The very meaning of Yoga is ‘Yuj’. In Sanskrit, this translates as ‘to unite’ or ‘union’. Whether asanas, pranayama, or even simple techniques of breath mediation, they have amazing benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. "The onus is on the parents to create a loving and healthy environment for the child to grow in. Get started on a simple routine of yoga practice with your child at least thrice a week, and at least 20-30 minutes on each session," recommended Yoga Guru, Akshar.