How to teach Ida and Pingala to children

How to teach Ida and Pingala to children

How to teach Ida and Pingala is fascinating concept that children will love to learn about! It’s so important to teach them in simple and creative ways that align with their level of understanding and interests. We’re going to dive right in and explain these two nadis! Then, we’ll suggest a few strategies for introducing these concepts to children in an engaging and understandable manner.

Ida Nadi is one of the most fascinating energy channels in our pranic (energetic) body. It’s associated with some of the most intriguing energies, including feminine energy, lunar energy, the mind, and emotions. And it’s connected to the left side of the body and the right hemisphere of the brain.

Pingala Nadi is one of the most amazing energy channels in our pranic body! It’s associated with masculine energy, solar energy, physical activity, and motion. And it’s connected to the right side of the body and the left hemisphere of the brain.

Knowing how these two nadis work is a great way to increase your awareness of your physical and mental state. It’s so important to teach children about Ida and Pingala in a way that’s fun and engaging for them. Just like any other subject, it should align with their unique needs and interests. I’ve got some great suggestions for you below about How to teach Ida and Pingala to children:

– Using pictures and drawings

Now for the fun part! You can draw simple images of the sun and moon on the right and left sides of the body, or you can even ask children to draw them themselves. Then,Explain that the sun represents Pingala’s energy, and the moon represents Ida. This method is a great way to help children understand these concepts more clearly.

– Using poems, music, and stories  

Let’s get creative! Write simple songs or poems that explain these concepts in words that children can easily understand. For example, you could write a poem about the sun and moon! Explain how they give off their energies and show children how to find the balance between these energies. You can even introduce these two nadis as story characters or twins! Ida can be depicted as a calm, mentally strong character in blue (lunar energy), while Pingala can be an energetic, active character in red (solar energy) and they’re both absolutely fascinating! In the story, you can describe them as twin siblings, where sometimes one is more active than the other, but when both are in harmony, it’s a truly magical feeling of balance and happiness! And there’s another cool thing you can do. You can relate the activity of these two to the right and left sides of the body.

– Breathing exercises (Pranayama) with visualization

This is an excellent choice for children who are already familiar with yoga. It’s a great way to build focus and understanding of relaxation. Once you’ve taught them how to breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth, it’s time for the fun part! Show them how to breathe gently through the nose while watching colorful lights (blue for Ida and red for Pingala) dance through their left and right nostrils. Depending on the level of the group you’re teaching, you can expand the visualization or introduce amazing practices like pratyahara! The wonderful practices of Surya Bhedana and Chandra Bhedana are perfect for teaching children who are already familiar with yoga about Ida and Pingala.

Conclusion

As with any other subject, we highly recommend that the teacher first gain sufficient knowledge and experience in the topic. There are so many fun ways to teach these nadis to children! You can use games, drawings, stories, and breathing exercises. It’s so important to present these concepts in a fun and understandable way so that children can connect with them and enjoy yoga! It’s important to tailor the level of practice and the introduction of these nadis to the child’s prior experience with yoga and how deeply they engage with relaxation practices. This way, they’ll be able to fully enjoy the benefits of yoga! For children new to yoga, use more concrete practices to help them understand the basics. Children who have a deeper connection to relaxation and Pratyahara may be more prepared to understand these topics, so let’s give them a chance to shine! So, it’s not just about how you present this material, but also about the timing of the presentation!

Suggested Resources for Teachers and Enthusiasts:

– Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Satyananda Yoga, Bihar Publications.

– Yoga Education for Children Volume 2[2], by Bihar Publications

– Meditation from the Tantras^[3] by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Bihar Publications

–Sure Ways to Self-Realization by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Bihar Publications

– Teachings of Swami Satyananda Saraswati[5], Bihar Publications

• Yoga and Kriya: A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya
• Asana Pranayama mudra Bandha

Related Training Courses:

– All workshops and reading sessions for teachers and yoga enthusiasts organized by the Viveka Yoga Academy.

– Meditation training for children and teenagers, designed and taught by Ghazaleh Adampour, Winter 2024.