Why Yoga for home schooling and parents
The modern age has brought about many significant and revolutionary changes which no doubt have been beneficial throughout the world.
However, with our advances in technology, we've inadvertently contributed to the creation of a slew of undesirable consequences for our children.
Our Vision for a calmer world
To ensure every teacher, child and family gain the health & wellbeing tools essential to thrive in life.
Our Mission
To support whole child development by providing easy-to-use programs and tools that relieve stress, create calm, build resilience and support physical strength and flexibility.
the health and wellbeing of children and their teachers is a growing concern
Most of us can agree that social media is impacting our children's mental AND physical health.
They’re increasingly exposed to topics and dangers beyond their years, are bombarded with advertising and are slaves to a peer culture that is causing massive anxiety in order to feel ‘normal’ and ‘fit in’.
Their physical wellbeing is being affected to such an extent that weakened muscles and poor posture, from sitting hunched over screens, is at epidemic proportions.
Poor posture inhibits breathing which, in turn, limits one’s ability to concentrate and learn. It’s a downward spiral towards mis-behaviours due to a lack of concentration and focus.
Finding a balance between aligning with the needs of an ever-changing world, and providing a solid educational foundation, is a huge challenge for home schooling parents and their children.
Challenges facing our children and parents home schooling
Physical Development
Poor posture, limited breathing capacity, weak muscles (core + upper thoracic) and digestion issues
Emotional Challenges
Anxiety, depression and the
fear of not being ‘good enough’
Behaviour Management
Managing increasing challenging behaviours
Parents Anxiety
Managing growing anxiety in children, staff AND parents
the impact of stress and anxiety on children and their teachers cannot be underestimated AND early intervention is key if we are to make a difference
What the statistics say
Most concerning of all is that children and young Australians are facing significant mental health challenges as a result of the pandemic.
36% of parents lack confidence in addressing their children’s mental health needs
72% of children aged 4-11 have mild-to-severe mental disorders which included anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
41% of parents believe the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the mental wellbeing of their children.
87% of parents agree that their child’s mental health is just as important as their physical health.
52% find it challenging to access resources
References: A large body of proven science and health research is available on request. For more information reach out to The Karma Class
Our integrated approach to mental and physical wellbeing
We focus SO much on the modern world and all our technological advances, but what about the many ancient tools, wisdom and practices right at our fingertips that are super easy to learn and implement?
The great news is that Yoga – and all its gifts – can be practiced and enjoyed by everyone – kids included. And what a great gift to include it into every single home school day.
Yoga, an ancient Indian practice has been around for over 5,000 years. Yoga means to yolk or union – a practice that unites Body, Mind and Breath to create a holistic wellbeing. Despite it often being seen in the West as a purely physical practice, yoga is actually a complete system of self-care that includes physical postures, breathwork and mindfulness.
How The Karma Class is responding to the crisis
The Karma Class believes that early intervention is key if we are to combat this ever-growing mental and physical health epidemic. As a result, we have created unique and innovative programs that use yoga, breath and mindfulness to help children thrive and these include:
- A Karma Classroom – empowering home schoolers to create calm, kind and compassionate classrooms
- The Karma Collection – A suite on online yoga and mindfulness classes to compliment the home school activities in a day
The Karma Classroom is designed to give home-schooling parents the knowledge and skills to easily weave yoga, breath and mindfulness into the home-school day. The course was developed by Beth Borowsky, a qualified early learning educator and highly skilled yoga teacher/teacher trainer with over 35 years of experience.
Home schooling in Australia
Evidence-based course development
How yoga and mindfulness can help home schoolers and parents
Our workshop, A Karma Classroom, is evidence-based. Research confirms that when children experience daily Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness from a young age, it helps create a healthy foundation for overall mental health and wellbeing. It also supports learning.
Daily Yoga experiences help children to build a ‘wellbeing toolbox’ which they can dip into when they are feeling tired, ratty, anxious, scared, angry or sad. They develop life tools that they can access from early childhood, through primary and high school and into adulthood.
Benefits of The Karma Classroom workshop for home schooling families:
Health and wellness programs specially designed for home schoolers
Concerntration
Improve concentration, focus and learning
Reduce Stress
Reduce stress and anxiety in both parents and children
Confidence
Promote self-awareness and self-confidence
Energy
Increase energy and stamina
Flexibility
Improve flexibility and strength
Thinking
Encourage creative and critical thinking
Online kids yoga classes and mindful activities
Highlights of our online kids yoga classes
In addition to our Karma Classroom Workshop, The Karma Class has developed the Karma Collection - a series of online kid's yoga classes, breathing exercises and mindful activities.
The series comprises 42 online classes including a variety of yoga, breath and mindful activities and kids' yoga classes designed to delight and engage kids between 2 and 10 years. The Karma Collection can be done in the comfort of your own home.
The online kids' yoga classes are perfect for home schoolers, as they provide a much-needed break from screentime and academic learning. They are also great for kids who need to move their bodies more often during the day.
If you're looking for a fun and relaxing way to incorporate some moving and mindfulness into your home school day, The Karma Collection is a great option!
Kids yoga classes are the single most impactful extracurricular activity that early learning centres can offer.
Benefits of online kids yoga classes and mindful activities
- Reduces stress and tension in the home
- Creates a sense of calm and peace
- Builds connection and bonding
- Promote healthy sleep habits
- Provides a positive outlet for energy
- Gets kids active and moving
Reviews from parents who have taken the course
"Really practical; your depth of experience is evident. Your flexibility re: delivery is refreshing. Thank you so much. I look forward to getting started!"
Vanessa Bain, Merimbula Public School
"The most engaging, informative and enjoyable course I have been on in my teaching career."
Georgea Cross, Double Bay Public School
“The content that I will take back and share is huge - what a great tool to teach young children, that can stay with them as they grow.“
Corrie Shepherd, Tathra Preschool
Why choose The Karma Class
The Karma Class brings more than just yoga to children, teachers, schools, early learning centres and families.
We offer children and teachers holistic experiences that combine the advantages of mindful movement, breath and mindfulness to support optimal mental and physical health and wellbeing through our evidence-based workshops, kids yoga sessions and supporting products.
Children learn about their powerful bodies and acquire skills to self-soothe and cultivate resilience. In addition, children become compassionate individuals in the classroom, community, and world. With this health and wellbeing toolbox, children are better able to navigate the challenges of life with more ease and less anxiety.
The tools and techniques learned in the A Karma Classroom workshop are easy to learn and implement, and only require a few minutes each day. Home-school educators learn strategies to cultivate a calm learning environment making it easier for them to teach and their children to learn. They are better able to gauge when it’s time to take a break, and how to engage their children with short bursts of movement, breath and mindfulness. In turn, this ensures fewer disruptions, more enthusiasm for learning and less stress for everyone!
“The most important teachings we as teachers offer transcend academic skills and the acquisition of knowledge. Before teaching content, we must create a learning environment conducive to education.” Meena Srinivasan
Karma Classroom Cards
An innovative and holistic resource making it easy for teachers to bring the training to life in the classroom.
- Yoga, Breath and Mindfulness
- 82 gender neutral cards
- 115 classroom activities
If you are a School or Early Learning leader, Teacher or Parent looking for more information, please get in touch.