Karmatime uses a combination of ancient and modern human development techniques all designed to help children reach their personal best. The magic lies in our ability to conceal these beneficial exercises within fantastic stories which take children on wonder-full adventures! Techniques used include:-
Yoga for Children
Yoga is an ancient form of whole body exercise developed in India and now popular thoughout the world. As many of the poses are based around natural forms, for example 'mountain', 'dog' and 'tree', it is an ideal way to develop children's natural flexibility through story-telling. Yoga is a way of life based upon positive morals which support children's personal, social and emotional development.
Brain Gym® and Accelerated Learning
Brain Gym® is one of the accelerated learning techniques used during a Karmatime class by teachers who have under gone the recognised training. Created by Paul and Gail Dennison, Brain Gym® has been influenced by eastern techniques including yoga and accupressure massage (developed by the Chinese). It is based around the principal that movement stimulates the functioning of the brain and has been developed into a series of easy and highly beneficial exercises.
Breathing Exercises
Teaching children to breathe correctly can have amazing effects upon their health, mood and ability. It is also effective at helping children remedy their uncomfortable emotions, empowering them with the confidence to handle their feelings.
Meditation for Children
Meditation is a physiological state of relaxed alertness that occurs when our brain wave patterns slow down from Beta to Alpha. It is similar to being in between sleep and full consciousness and is referred to by many people as 'the zone' or 'the optimum state for learning'. To create this state involves building the mental discipline to concentrate on one thing (this is much easier for children than grown-ups!). This may be a sound (a repeated word, mantra or music for instance), a picture (perhaps a mandala or photo of a loved one) or a movement (yoga, walking etc.).
At Karmatime, we introduce young children to meditation through what we call, 'Eyes Closed Stories' or visualisations. The same healing benefits are experienced as the children occupy their minds with a 'feel good' story designed to build confidence and self-esteem.
Creative Journal Keeping
The creative arts are incorporated into every Karmatime class as they are vital for helping children self-evaluate and express themselves and their emotions. At the end of each class children are given time to record their experiences visually, initially just for the pleasure of it and later these skills are developed into useful memory maps.
Mind Mapping
Mind Mapping involves organising information using visually stimulating picture diagrams. The act of being creative employs the right hand side of the brain which accesses memory more readily. This means that kids learn how to remember things easily - a skill that will be useful on many occasions throughout their lives.
