Adolescence Management

1. Adolescence Management

Adolescence Yogic Management

The origin of the word, “adolescence” is from the Latin verb, “adolescere,” which means, “to grow up.” Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes. The teenage years are from ages 13 to 19. In fact, early adolescence is the most difficult phase of life, as children cannot express their problems correctly because their power of expression and their knowledge of their own psychology are not mature enough. Due to physical changes, hormonal changes, and constantly changing moods, teenaged children have many unexplained and unexpressed problems.

Common adolescent problems are:

Loneliness, feeling misunderstood, difficulty communicating new experiences, unable to talk to parents or trusted adults about their experiences, feeling isolated.

Emotional problems are:

Anger, hatred, confusion, low self esteem, low confidence, a feeling of inferiority and uselessness, feeling lost, frightened, depression, jealousy, and envy.

Other problems are:

Abusing the body with lack of proper nutrition, wrong eating habits, lack of sufficient water, alcohol, smoking, and drugs

YOGA

Yoga is the perfect balance for the changes of adolescence. Regular practice of Yoga can maintain the health of the pineal gland and add extra years to its life. It increases the flow of endorphins – the body’s natural antidepressant. Yoga should be properly introduced to children by educators in every school, just as we teach other subjects. Then young people everywhere would be well adjusted, healthy, and happy – both physically and mentally. They would be more aware of their own potential and more capable of its realization. The destiny of the whole world depends on the little children. Regular practice of Surya Namaskara (a dynamic Yoga exercise), Nadi Shodhana Pranayama (for health and balance of the pineal gland), Mantra (to challenge the child’s distracted mind), and Shambhavi Mudra with visualization (to maintain the pineal gland) are very beneficial. These practices not only help the child to maintain psycho-emotional balance, but also develop his mental growth, as well.

SURYA NAMASKARA

Surya Namaskara influences the pineal gland and hypothalamus, helping to prevent pineal degeneration and calcification. This balances the transition period between childhood and adolescence in growing children. When one performs Surya Namaskara, synchronizing the physical movements with the breath, all the muscles, joints, and major internal organs are stimulated and balanced.

NADI SHODHANA PRANAYAMA

Nadi Shodhana Pranayama induces tranquility, clarity of thought, and concentration. It keeps the pineal gland healthy for as long as possible. As long as your pineal gland is healthy, your sexual glands will remain under control. The flow of Prana, in Ida, and Pingala Nadis, is equalized. Blood is purified of toxins.

MANTRA

Relaxing the brain, through Mantra, is one of the methods of increasing perception. The superficial aspects of thoughts, emotions, or desires, which are not needed within the mind, and which need to be expressed, will be swept away by the Mantra. A proper Asana, or posture, should be selected and maintained, for the duration of the practice, so that there is no movement to distract the concentration.

Have a blessed and beautiful day!