I heard on the news this week that the mindfulness sessions in a trial across several schools in the UK are being withdrawn, after a study showed they were 'largely' a waste of time.
Here's a link to the BBC article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-62126567
I have no means a lot of experience teaching teens, but as a mum and having taught quite a few yoga classes to secondary school aged students, I do know how difficult it is for young people to practice mindfulness. A learnt behaviour for most young people is to be constantly stimulated by one if not several devices at any one time. It's no surprise to read they find doing nothing and mindfulness 'boring'.
On Wednesday it was Guru Purnima. It's an Indian festival where several traditions acknowledge inspirational teachers or Guru's. I am constantly inspired and love so much of the ancient yogi teachings, which I feel privileged to share. But honestly, am constantly humbled as there's so much yet
to learn and I've only scratched the surface in all my years of practice. Knowledge, or knowing being considered the thing of highest value. Guru Purnima is celebrated on full moon following Summer Solstice.
(If you'd like to read more there's another interesting link below).
I don't believe it's any coincidence either that meditation is stage number 7 out of 8 in Pantanjali's 8 fold path to enlightenment. It comes after yamas (ethical principles), niyamas (personal observances), asana (physical poses), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration techniques) then dhyana (meditation) before samadhi (bliss/enlightenment).
This is an extract from The Yoga Space (see below for link)
Like any other limb in yoga, meditation is a systematic process in itself, which takes practice (and patience!) to learn. It’s like taming a puppy that would much rather run around than sit still. You will need to train your mind to come back to you when you tell it to and to sit still, even if for just a few seconds at a time.
It's so difficult to stop the mind from whirling - (the ultimate purpose of yoga). It doesn't happen overnight. It's taken me a long time to appreciate meditation and the steps towards it. Even now - I find it difficult.
Perhaps it's no wonder mindfulness has not been so successful in schools.
I've enjoyed watching the first 2 episodes of Freddie Flintoff's Field of Dreams on BBC1 on Tuesdays at 8pm. Interestingly, the BBC had to correct themselves from labelling some of the kids underprivileged to 'reluctant'. Perhaps some of the issue's Freddie is facing could happen with 'privileged' young people just as much as those from less fortunate backgrounds? You can see in the show how a few of these lads really struggle keeping focus on anything. It's a modern day phenomena.
I really admire what Freddie Flintoff is doing - he's giving these lads an opportunity to focus on something. Concentrate by being part of a team, helping each other and doing something physical. To value something and feel valued. Interestingly, some of these principles are bit like the first limbs in yoga.
I'm looking forward to the next few programmes and really hoping these lads are inspired by their own Guru, Freddie.
Namaste.
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https://isha.sadhguru.org/uk/en/wisdom/article/why-celebrate-guru-purnima-sadhguru-answers
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