Teach yoga and meditation to ‘unplug children’, says British Education Minister
Posted on May 30th, 2017

Peter Dominiczak Courtesy: Telegraph

7 SEPTEMBER 2016

Buddhist monks engage in the art of meditation at Mendut Temple, Indonesia

Children should be taught Buddhist meditation techniques and yoga in schools to help them “unplug from their online world”, a minister has said.

Edward Timpson, an education minister, said that schools across the country should start teaching “mindfulness” as a “normal part of the school day”.

The meditative practice, which has its roots in Buddhism, encourages people to focus on the present, rather than on the anxieties of the past or future.

Speaking during a debate in Parliament, Mr Timpson warned that children cannot unplug from their online world, and that is changing the shape of many of their relationships and the pressures that they come under at a much more tender age”.

He said that mindfulness is a modern innovation born from the deepest traditions of meditation” and that schools and colleges using the technique will to enable all children to enjoy good mental health and emotional wellbeing”.

Mr Timpson said: We want schools to have a whole-school approach that makes talking about feelings, emotions and wellbeing as normal for pupils as talking about their physical bodies. That might include lessons taught as part of the PSHE curriculum, whole-school ​programmes such as mindfulness that become a normal part of the school day, role play in drama lessons, or offering meditation or yoga sessions.”

Inspired by ancient Buddhist meditation, mindfulness courses were developed in the late 1970s by US doctors to combat stress.

Mindfulness is said to help people recognise and overcome negative thoughts while noticing small pleasures around them.

Although some regard it with scepticism, studies appear to show a clinical benefit for treating a range of mental health problems

Thousands of mindfulness sessions are prescribed to NHS patients every year to help treat anxiety and depression.

Sir Anthony Seldon advocated the technique when he was Master of Wellington College.

He said previously: ‘Mindfulness or meditation has been shown to be an invaluable tool to help bolster young people’s resilience to psychological stress. It also boosts concentration, depth of thought, happiness and achievement.

It is the most simple and natural technique to learn … It is all about being yourself, making the most of yourself, and making the most of the opportunities that life presents to you. It promotes trusting relationships, healthy living and psychological and emotional security.”

Courtesy: Telegraph

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/07/teach-yoga-and-meditation-to-unplug-children-says-education-mini/

One Response to “Teach yoga and meditation to ‘unplug children’, says British Education Minister”

  1. Fran Diaz Says:

    A timely article here.

    MEDITATION should be taught in all schools in Lanka.

    MEDITATION brings many benefits, mental & physical health, leads to awareness, and living in a more harmonious manner in society.

    MEDITATION is a Buddhist tradition, lost to Lanka during nearly 500 yrs of Colonial times. Now is the time for all to benefit from MEDITATION.

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