bal sanskaar shala

Shir

di S

ai P

ariv

ar, M

ilp

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2014

Ba

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an

ska

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ala

Bal Sanskaar Shala 2014 Outline

1

Contents Goal of Baal Sanskaar Shala .......................................................................................................................... 2

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 2

Objectives of this program ........................................................................................................................ 2

Curriculum ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

Yoga and Pranayam .................................................................................................................................. 3

Introduction and importance of yoga (asanas and pranyam) in life .................................................... 3

The meaning of yoga ............................................................................................................................. 3

Principles of healthy well-being ............................................................................................................ 3

Warm Up and Loosening ....................................................................................................................... 4

Breathing ............................................................................................................................................... 4

The Sequence of Asana ......................................................................................................................... 4

Relaxation ............................................................................................................................................. 4

Pranayama ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Prayers/Mantra and Pragya Sangeet ........................................................................................................ 5

Prayers and Mantra .............................................................................................................................. 5

Pragya Sangeet ...................................................................................................................................... 5

Culture and Scientific Spirituality .............................................................................................................. 5

Human Values and Personality Development ...................................................................................... 5

Indian Culture Festivals & Holidays....................................................................................................... 7

Scientific Spirituality .............................................................................................................................. 7

Language ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Expectations from Student and Parents ....................................................................................................... 8

Evaluation, Progress and Feedback .............................................................................................................. 8

Resources and Contacts ................................................................................................................................ 8


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Goal of Baal Sanskaar Shala

Introduction In ancient times, our culture was based on principle of vasudeva kutumbakam i.e. this whole universe is

our abode. This principle rested on the highest principle that the entire universe is pervaded by only one

consciousness call it atma, Brahman, Allah or Sai. This principle is the governing model of the universe

and thus from the smallest unit of food to the highest cosmos we say all is the same self/Brahman. In

Vedic culture, the rishis had actualized this in their way of life and created a culture to which all of us

from the Indus Valley belong to they emphasized the importance of community living, helping and

sharing. These values were also emphasized by various sages including Sai Baba who always said Sabka

Malik Ek!

When we look at the American Preamble it starts with We the people and emphasizes One People

and goes We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice,

insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure

the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the

United States of America. The philosophy is found to be similar to Vedic tradition the goal of human

life to form a more perfect union with the blessings of Liberty.

So therefore what has made all of us needing classes to reinforce the simple law of universe?

We can see around us the rise of individuality the importance of individualism over inter-

connectedness (connected web of life). We also see a systematic disconnection from our tradition and

culture both in India and abroad. We see kids have gained lots of intellectual prowess but slowly loosing

emotional and spiritual intelligence, creative and divine balance and the power to rise from the deeper

self and stay established in virtues.

Our Goal is to show our kids the path of this Rishi and Sage culture (Sant Parampara) which makes them

rooted in their true being which is the inexhaustible source of creativity and intelligence. All kids are

somewhat naturally rooted in this source and thus in some ways we are ensuring they can recognize and

enhance their capabilities using this divine connection within. With that being the core goal, we truly

believe that they will in course develop new skills and capabilities that will not only help them to deal

with current circumstances but also develop creativity and wisdom to rebuild a new era of truth !

With folded hands and setting clear expectations we pray for your blessings for making this effort

successful for everyone

Objectives of this program o Instill Bhav Samvedna (Emotional and Spiritual Intelligence) in kids to make them aware of their

relationship and interconnectedness with parents, friends, nature, community and society at

large

o Nurture principles of Vedic culture and human values to develop viveka buddhi to use

discriminating intelligence in real life situations

o Instill the importance of Seva or community service and giving back to community and needy.


3

Curriculum

NOTE : PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CURRICULUM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS ONLY A DRAFT OUTLINE

TO GIVE PARENTS AN OVERVIEW OF THE TYPES OF CLASSES HELD IN THIS PROGRAM

The program focusses of four main activities:

o Yoga and Pranayam

o Prayers and Mantra

o Culture and Scientific Spirituality

o Language

Yoga and Pranayam

Introduction and importance of yoga (asana and pranayama) in life

Anyone can practice yoga. There is no need of special equipment or cloths. It is just a small amount of

space and strong desire for a healthier, more fulfilled life. The yoga postures or asana exercise every

party of the body, stretching and toning the muscles and joints, the spine and the entire skeletal system.

By releasing physical and mental tension, they also liberate vast resources of energy. They also work on

internal organs, gland and nerves, keeping all systems in radiant health.

The yogic breathing exercises known as pranayama revitalizes the body and help in control the mind,

calm the mind and refresh it. The practice of positive thinking and meditation gives increased clarity,

mental power and concentration.

The meaning of yoga

The practice of yoga is to unite/reunite the individual self (body) with absolute or pure consciousness.

Principles of healthy well-being

a) Proper relaxation: release tension in the muscles and rest the whole system

b) Proper exercise: is given by yoga postures which works systematically on all parts of the body,

stretching and toning the muscles and ligaments, improves the circulation

c) Proper breathing: Breathing fully and rhythmically, making use of all, not just part, of lungs to

increase the intake of oxygen. Yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) teaches how to recharge

the body and control mental state by regulating the flow of prana-the life force.

d) A proper diet: a nourishing and well-balanced based on natural foods. It keeps body light and

supple and mind calm, giving a resistance to disease.

e) Positive thinking and meditation: helps to remove negative thoughts and still the mind,

ultimately transcending all thoughts.


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Warm Up and Loosening

Objectives of loosening practices:-

Loosen the various joints in the body.

Flex the spine, by repeatedly stretching and relaxing the different muscles.

Remove the lethargy and tardiness in the body.

Discipline the body-mind complex.

a) Yogic jogging

b) Forward and backward bending

c) Bend and Twist

d) Spinal Twist

e) Side Leg Stretch

f) Ankle feet Stretch/rotation

Breathing

Objectives of breathing practices:-

Activate the lungs to fully utilize all the lobes and increase lung capacity.

Normalize the breathing rate.

Make the breathing uniform, continuous and rhythmic.

Develop an awareness of breathing through the movements of different parts of the body.

a) Hand in-out breathing

a) Ankle stretch breathing

b) Tiger breathing

c) Sasankasana breathing

The Sequence of Asana

a) The sun salutation or Surya Namskaar

b) Veer Bhdrasana (Warrior Pose)

c) Parsvkonasana (Lateral Angle Pose)

d) Parvatasana (Inverted V/ downward dog pose e) Kapotasana (Pigeon pose)

Relaxation

QRT (Quick Relaxation Technique)

Pranayama

a) Kapala Bhati kriya (cleansing technique) b) Nadi Shuddhi (alternate nostril breathing) c) Bhramari (Laya Pranayama)


5

Prayers/Mantra and Pragya Sangeet

Prayers and Mantra

For Group 1 Kids : 5-8 year old , we will be covering key mantras and Shlokas such as

o Gayatri Mantra

o Ganesh Mantra

o Saraswati Mantra

o Guru Mantra

o Laghu Strorams on Siva, Vishnu, Krishna etc.

o Basic set of Sholkas from Geeta

o Subhashitani

For Group 2 Kids : Similar to Group 1 with additional emphasis on Bhagwat Geeta, Upanishad and other

holy scriptures

Pragya Sangeet

To develop emotions and bhavna towards the divine we will also be teaching small bhajans and songs.

Initial songs will be :

o Hey Prabhu Apni Krupa ki

o Vidhata tu Hamara hai

o Maa Sharade

Culture and Scientific Spirituality

There are three fundamental topics in this class:

1. Human Values and Personality development

2. Indian Culture, Festivals and their importance

3. Scientific Spirituality Linkages between Science and Spirituality experimental basis of

spiritual truths (For Group 2 mainly)

Human Values and Personality Development

Building human values such as:

o Honesty

o Non- Violence

o Non- Stealing

o Forgiveness


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o Respect

o Matrudevobhav, Pitrudevo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava

Parents Teachers Cow India

o Touch Parents feet

o Generosity

o Environment/Bio- diversity

Jeevan Vidya

o Ushapan

o Surya Namaskar

o Pranayam

o Yoga

o Healthy Diet

o Meditation/ Sadhana

o Tapas/ Self Discipline

Values from Gods

o Ganesh symbolism

o Shiva Symbolism

o Gayatri

o Nine Durgas

Values from famous Personalities (Sages and Karma Yogis)

o Mahatma Gandhi

o Abraham Lincoln

o Martin Luther King

o Swami Vivekananda

o Shivaji

o Nelson Mandela

o Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar

o Helen Keller

o Harishchandra

o Saibaba

o Pt. Sriram Sharma Acharya

o Vinoba Bhave

o Mahavir


7

Indian Culture Festivals & Holidays

Some traditions and their rationale along with key festivals listed below and their role in bringing

harmony and universal brotherhood is discussed.

o Vaikunth Ekadashi

o Makar Sankranti

o Holi

o Ram Navami

o Vasant Panchami

o Hindu New Year

o Hanuman Jayanti

o Janmashtami

o Ganesh Chaturthi

o Navaratri

o Dussehra

o Diwali

Scientific Spirituality

This class will be for Group 2 (Age : 9-12)

In this class the relationship between science and spirituality is studied with experiments of various

scientific principles and understanding their spiritual aspects and vice versa.

Examples would include:

o Rishis knowledge of Astronomy and Stars and linkages to modern discoveries

o Experiments with Yagna and its benefits

o Bio Electricity and its marvels

o Annam Bhrama How food is essence of consciousness and linked to formation of thoughts

Language

Kids will have the opportunity to learn Sanskrit and details of syllabus will be available soon


8

Expectations from Student and Parents

Please refer to SSP rules and regulations for the general expectations from all community classes held by

SSP.

Additionally we expect sincere participation, dialogue , interaction and feedback from parents. If you

engage your kids will engage and participate so your health participation is absolutely necessary

Evaluation, Progress and Feedback There will be progress sheet and homework handed over to kids periodically almost in every class. In

addition there will be quarterly evaluations and reporting on their progress

We will also be conducting feedback surveys to improve our content and delivery methods once every

quarter and doing Parent meetings as well to discuss informally on how we make these classes more

relevant and meaningful for their kids.

Resources and Contacts SSP will be creating a group email ID for communications and we will also be working to create

Sharepoint, Google docs for putting up class materials for access

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

bal sanskaar shala

Documents