Syria
The Sports Union of Syria welcomed the Ananda Marga Yoga conference in March in the city of Suwaida in Southern Syria. Among the 80 participants were 20 children who learned some initial steps in Yoga and Quiet Time. They enjoyed morning circle activities and learned kaoshikii well. They delighted in the creation of their own dramas and performed for each other.
At present there is research by the Sports Union and Ananda Marga on how Yoga can enhance the learning of children.
Athens, Greece
The Neohumanist Centre in Athens has moved to a bigger and brighter space where the morning children’s program, calledOne World Children’s Circle, meets 4 mornings a week. We are not yet a fully registered school but do follow the principles of Neohumanist Education for the 2 and 1/2 to 5 year olds who come. Vimala has been training for the last few years and now she’s a great teacher in the process of training other NHE teachers. We’re holding an NHE teachers training course at the moment with 24 hours of classroom theory, 30-40 hours of practical training with the children, required reading and assignments plus mandatory attendance at yoga and meditation courses.
We’re delighted to have 6 trainees and a few part-timers. With the move to the bigger space and more teachers, we’re looking forward to being able to accommodate many more children in the autumn. Besides the morning program, we have a regular parent-toddlers group and occasional Yoga for Children lessons for the elementary aged students.