Temples and Churches
Albany Hindu Temple
Meditation and Yoga classes 8-19-2017 x 39
I offered classes on ‘Meditation on breathing’ and ‘Gentle Yoga stretching’ to 39 boys and girls from 5 to 13 years at the Albany Hindu Temple on Aug 14, 17, 18 and 19, 2017. Each class was for 40 minutes.
All of them practiced the ‘Counting mode’ and ‘Tip mode’ multiple times, counting the breaths aloud along with me. We all practiced at simulated times of practice – at bedtime lying down to get sleep, on waking up still lying, to drive away the sleep, sitting on the bed cross legged as in sitting meditation, standing on the floor like waiting in a line, walking and running.
When asked how they felt, a few commented
I felt calm
I felt relaxed
Asked when they would like to practice the meditation, some said
At the doctor’s office
When tired
When I have an argument with my friend about which game to play
At bedtime
On waking up
Other comments
An 8 years old boy said he practiced at bedtime and also told his mom to practice as she does not sleep well!
One kid’s mom said that her 6 years old son had been practicing at bedtime from day one and he felt fresher on waking up.
Overview of 9 to 15 yo children's classes - Jan 2009
I have been coaching a group of children in the 9 -15 years age group, in 'Counting Breaths meditation' since 2006. This has been a part of the Hindu Heritage class at Albany Hindu Temple, Albany NY, conducted on Sundays, for 15 minutes. The group consists of 15 to 20 boys and girls. Some of them continued the classes every year, some dropped out after one year and some new children joined every year.
It started as an experimental program and has now become an integral part of the Heritage class. I could do this only because of the enthusiastic support of the coordinator of the program Mrs Pratibha Gauri Mehta and Professor Ramnath.
In the initial classes, they learned and practiced 'Counting Breaths' in different modes, for about 5 minutes. Once in two weeks, I used to ask them to verbally share with the group what mode they practiced, when and how it helped them.
Initially, there was a lot of discomfort, giggling and disruption by some of the children when they tried to practice this new method. I used to tell the class without naming any child and very rarely naming a particular child, that if they could not remain calm inside the classroom, they should go out, calm themselves and come back to the room whenever they feel ready to be present without disturbing the others in the room. A few times in the beginning, I had to be a little firm and unpleasant. Some of them went out and quickly returned, remaining in a quieter state. Over a few months, this behavior totally disappeared. I also spent extra 15 minutes with a few restless children in a separate room, making sure they correctly understood the modes and made them practice in my presence for about 10 minutes. Thus, all of them gradually got into practicing in their choice mode at a time of their choice outside the class.
On Jan 09, after about 3 months of this years' classes, I asked them to write down their individual feedback in a simple format.
You will see from their feedback reported in the next section that each child has their own favorite time, reasons for practice and benefits derived. Some popular reasons for practice are to get over their anger or madness, to sleep at night, get over the sleepiness in the morning and when they have nothing to do and get bored. Please note that I only told them how to practice and not when and why. They sensed by actual classroom practice that the practice was helping them calm down and maintain self-control and figured out on their own when and how to make good use of it. The learning from this is that they know their need to calm themselves and when they acquire an easy and useful tool like this they spontaneously take that tool out of their tool bag and enjoy using it. How wonderful!
These extended experiments have proven beyond doubt that this or similar methods should be a part of every school curriculum. Their concentration and behavior at home and school will be better. Their faces will look calmer, brighter and smiling happily.
I would greatly appreciate parallel experiments by teachers and parents and sharing their results. If needed I will furnish full details of our program. Maybe next year, I will make a video and post it on you tube.
Jan 2009 Children's feedback (x18)
Feedback from 18 children about their practice. Scanned images of feedback forms.
What modes were practiced? (many of them practiced in more than one mode)
Staring at a small spot/ thing x13
Counting Breaths x9
Simply feeling breaths x9
(without counting)
Using Finger segments x5
When did they practice? (many reported multiple occasions)
Trying to sleep x11
Angry/ Mad x7
In car/ bus x7
On waking up x5
Bored x4
Whenever I could get to x2
In shower x1
Doing homework x1
About to throw up x1
Got asthma x1
How did it help? (many reported multiple benefits)
Calm down x8
Sleep x4
Not get angry/ Mad x4
Feel fresh on waking up x4
Not get bored x3
Study/ Concentrate x3
Think about something x2
Doing some work x1
To prevent - Falling asleep x1
Asthma attack x1
Car sickness x1
Stress x1
Some revealing comments in their own words
To cool down when I am mad so I don't punch my sister
When I am angry at my brother
Concentrating
When I do homework
Thinking hard about something
It helps me think about something
So I don't fall asleep
Get active and awake
When I was about to throw up
Stop Car sick
Helped me in Asthma (his mom confirmed that he could discontinue his long standing daily dose of preventive medicine for asthma after he practiced this method for a few months)
Youth camp Aug 2007 (x13)
Summary OF Feedback on ‘Counting breaths meditation’ classes held as part of Youth Camp at Albany Hindu Temple from July 30 to Aug 2 2007 (4 days)
Total children – 13 (Girls – 7, Boys – 6, Ages - 9 to14)
During the last 3 days I practiced on these occasions
Before Sleep x7 Morning x4 Stressed or Tired x3 Walking x2 After exercise I was feeling very bad Every night After exercise Angry
During camp Fell down Hit myself with a bat
When I go to tennis in car
When I need to have rest
When I could not go to sleep
These practices have helped me
Relaxing x8 Getting to sleep x7 Calming Down x5
Control pain x2 Waking up x2
Being more active Control anger Breathing
My Lungs Made me feel good Concentration
Losing stress Waking up earlier Feel better
Cooling down Being happy for the whole day
Feel more fresh in morning - 2
By practicing these techniques I want to help myself
Not getting angry x3 Relaxing x3 Being calm x2
Stressful situations Asthma Studies
Really good feeling Clear my mind Waking up earlier
Sleep well Having smooth days
Better in breathing Feel asleep faster x2
Calming down after getting hurt
Feel more fresh on waking up
More concentration x 2
For me these classes are
Useful x8
Very useful x5
Summer camp Aug 20005
27 children were trained over 4 days in 30 minutes sessions.
Youth Camp 2004
42 children were trained over 3 days in 30 minutes sessions in Aug 2004.
Adults
4 - A family of three (mother, teen son and teen daughter) and one another person in Jan 2010.
2 persons in May 2009.
13 people in March 2006.
9 people in Oct 2005.
9 people were trained in Aug 2004.
5 people in April 2004.
30 adults were trained in 3 sessions in Nov 2003.
Albany Sai Center Dec 2015 (x19)
An introductory seminar for 12 children (Gr 3-10) and 7 parents was offered on December 12, 2015.
Children (x12)
Scanned images of the feedback forms
When I practiced I felt
Good – Gr 3
Calm, Peaceful and Relaxing – Gr 4
Quiet, Calm – Gr 4
Quiet & Peaceful – Gr 5
Calm, Peaceful – Gr 5
Calm, Relaxed, Refreshed, Unstressed – Gr 7
Calm, Relaxed, My mind was in a different state – Gr 8
Calm – Gr 9
Relaxed and Calm – Gr 10
I liked the breathing practices
A lot – 9
They are OK – 3
I liked these modes
Folding mode – 7
Staring mode – 7
Tip mode – 6
911 mode – 6
Counting mode – 4
I will practice when
Impatient – Gr 4
When I want to do them – Gr 4
Very tense or impatient – Gr 5
Bored, Tired – Gr 5
Angry, Sad, Mean – Gr 6
Sad, Depressed, Upset, Distressed, Angry, Overly excited -Gr 7
Stressed, Bored, When I can’t fall asleep, I wake up – Gr 8
Mad, Angry, Frustrated – Gr 9
Tired, Stressed, Bored, Impatient – Gr 10
Focus myself – Gr 4
Focus and concentrate myself – Gr 5
Take a test, Sleep – Gr 6
Wait for a long time, I am trying to sleep – Gr 7
Focus on my breathing without getting distracted – Gr 8
Calm down – Gr 9
Return to a stable state of mind – Gr 10
Comments if any
I liked it because I was refreshed
This is really cool
Good
Parents (x7)
Scanned images of the feedback forms
When I practiced I felt
Calm and Relaxed
Relaxed
Calm, Very peaceful
Relaxed and felt peaceful
Calm, Relaxed
I liked the breathing practices
A lot – 6
They are OK – 1
I liked these modes
Folding mode – 6
Staring mode – 3
Tip mode – 2
911 mode – 2
Counting mode – 1
I will practice when
Stressed on every day basis
Distracted
Stressed
I want to practice everyday to
Relax and concentrate
Focus and concentrate on something
Practice every day
Every day
Comments if any
Very beneficial. Thanks for sharing the techniques.
I like the breathing class because we need so many things to do with focus.
Excellent.
It was a very good exercise for beginners, especially breathing.
A great session.
Very good. Thank you.
I had taken your class earlier. It was useful. I will continue the practice.
EGB First United Methodist Church
7-9-16 (x14)
The second seminar at the First United Methodist Church of East Greenbush was attended by 14 women as part of a periodic women’s group retreat. Following is a summary of their feedback.
Scanned images of the feedback forms.
I will use this technique for my …
Improve my sleeping
Sleep, Pain
Insomnia, COPD attacks, Breathing
Getting better sleep
High blood pressure, Pain
Blood pressure
Grieving process, Regaining my normalcy and daily function (after the recent death of my husband)
Anxiety - children
My take home points
Counting and breathing
Like the counting much
Counted breathing
Breathing one-two-three
Use this technique
To keep breathing
Making meditation a priority, Doing it during any moment of the day.
My evaluation of the seminar…
Very satisfied x 9
Satisfied x 5
Comments
I have tried this here today. It calmed me down.
Looking for more info. on this once I have the basics.
I am reminded to reclaim these teachings for my “Now” reality as a new widow.
Wish it was longer.
Thank you.
Great ideas. Very helpful ideas.
I have attended several meditation groups and found each one very good and lasting in long duration (when disciplined to do it).
Only drawback was inability to understand due to your accent.
Thanks for coming after a long night of traveling.
I recommend this seminar to (name the group)…
Youth group at First United Methodist Church.
Schodack senior center
Complementary Care Officer (Sharon Wheeler) at Albany Medical Center (who organizes stress reduction classes for AMCH employees.)
I will recommend this to others.
Taborton Zion’s United Church of Christ
Adult Fellowship Group: Seven people attended, 3 men, 3 women and one child in 8th Grade.
There were 7 participants. The feedback received from six participants is posted below. Summary of their feedback follows. Scanned images of their feedback forms.
The seminar was …
Excellent – 4
Very Good – 2
I will use this technique to relieve my (concern)
Sleeplessness and stress
Worry
Sleeping
Stress at work and inability to fall back to sleep when waking up early
Comments/ Suggestions (if any)
Very interesting and I can see it can work.
Very practical and and helpful! and easy to do! Thank you!
Well presented, very clear and helpful. Thank you!
Presenter was excellent in explaining ways to focus on the moment.
April 18, 2012
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