Kumar-Kumari: It Is More Than Gymnastics For Children Of Yonger Age

Abstract

Modern society has the following integral lines: promptly growing flows of information, stubborn problems and an unclear future. It creates expanding problems for its successors. A low level of physical development and functional condition of the organism of the child, hypodynamia, difficulties in socialization of the child causing behavioral disturbances, problems in the emotional-volitional sphere, problems of adaptation to kindergarten, school, difficulties in relationships with peers in a class, uneasiness and aggression are only a small list of the problems connected with preschool and school age. The original gymnastics arising in the Tibetan national tradition can overcome or, at least, facilitate many of them. The children's yantra-yoga is called "kumar-kumari". Exercises are based on synchronization of breathing and movement by means of pronouncing special sounds during inhalation and exhalation. The best age for practicing kumar-kumari is from 5-6 to 12-13 years old. But, it is possible to begin at the age of 4 years old, if the child shows corresponding abilities. It is known that increase in physical activity shows a positive influence on the health of a person, and children's, in particular. However, in the modern world, decrease in a physical activity of people, especially in big cities, is observed. Unfortunately, not all children love physical education classes. Unlike exercises at school, children always practice kumar-kumari with pleasure. Their self-assessment raises, and the relations with surrounding people improve, they become to be more pacified and study better at school. A joint occupation of children and parents strengthen their relationship.

Keywords: Breathnational traditionsexperimentcoordinationyantrayoga of movement

Introduction

Problem Statement

The usefulness of physical activity for a human body is well-known (How, 2015; Similarities, 2000). Nevertheless, physical education school classes are not pleasant to most of children. The attitude of children to kumar-kumari gymnastics has not been investigated yet. The scientific research of psychological and sociological aspects of the influence of kumar-kumari practicing on children and their parents has not been realized, as well.

Research Questions

Purpose of the Study

The research objective is the identification of the influence of kumar-kumari practicing on physical and mental health of children and their parents as well as the comparison of the emotional attitude of children to kumar-kumari with that of modern school physical culture.

Research Methods

Findings

The most interesting results of poll are given in Table 01 and Table 02 .

As far as it is possible to see from table 1 , the results of the polls have shown the following:

• All the children and almost all the parents like to practice Kumar-Kumari.

• The vast majority of the children older than 7 years old and more senior children and their parents consider that Kumar-Kumari helps study at school better. The parents also note that the children’s ability to concentrate improves greatly.

• Most of the children state that Kumar-Kumari helps them be more hardy.

• Most of the children admit that Kumar-Kumari helps improve their relations with the parents. Also, most of the parents hold the same opinion. The parents consider that Kumar-Kumari makes children more obedient and responsible.

• The majority of the parents notice that children have become more flexible and learned to realize and respect their body.

• The majority of the parents observe improvement in their children’s attitude after practicing Kumar-Kumari

• The children at younger age usually ask the parents to practice Kumar-Kumari together with them. The senior children practice Kumar-Kumari independently.

• All the interviewed children love candies, but many of them are ready to refuse the offered candy in favour of Kumar-Kumari practice. However, they add that it would be better to receive both candy and the practice. The both facts are confirmed by the parents, as well.

• The majority of the parents agree that the regular half-an-hour trainings of Kumar-Kumari enable to change the child's life for the better.

Besides, closed and some open questions are also offered to the parents. As a result, it has become clear that the parents are pleased by an opportunity to do something together with their children when it gives pleasure to all of them. One of the interviewed parents (the mother of the two girls) say: "Before practicing Kumar-Kumari my children did not realize the breath absolutely: they just breathed and tried neither to manage, nor to observe this process. Kumar-Kumari helps to realize one’s own body, see how it reacts, how it becomes tired little by little, how it breathes, etc. No other practice gives such a fast and simple understanding to little children. It is useless to explain all of these with the help of words. Kumar-Kumari explains it through absolutely accurate and recognizable sensations (what it is possible to do during inhalation and exhalation, what is longer: the inhalation or exhalation, etc)". Besides that, the parents have noted that if they need to ask the child to do something, it is better to speak about it after practice: almost for certain the child would meet a request.

Conclusion

All the parents note essential positive shifts in physical and mental condition of the children. It is interesting that parents note positive changes in themselves, too. The mutual understanding between the parents and children improves. It promotes strengthening the institution of family. It is also assumed that Kumar-Kumari practices are pleasant to all (!) children unlike school lessons of physical culture. In this regard, it is possible to draw the conclusions that the Tibetan yoga of the movement Kumar-Kumari is of utmost use for children at 4 to 13 years old. One can recommend it for the inclusion in the program of primary and high school.

Further researches of the effects of Kumar-Kumari practices seem to be promising.

Acknowledgments

Heartfelt thanks to the parents and children, who participated in the process of our study.

References

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