Yoga: A new way to bond with your child

KARACHI:

The Music, Arts and Dance (MAD) School has launched summer yoga classes for parents and children. The classes will be held every Thursday afternoon and promises to strengthen the bond between parents and their offspring.

Yoga instructor, motivational trainer and therapist, Maha Abbas of the MAD School, said, “This is something really new at the MAD School. Yoga is primarily done as an exercise to connect with oneself, but this course aims to help a child create a link with his/her parents.”

“As the kids are very small, I have kept the therapies very basic, and have brought in laughter therapy, in which I motivate the attendees to laugh.” Additionally, Abbas also carried out head massaging therapy and mother-baby bonding which includes sharing hugs and making direct eye contact.

At the introductory class, only two mothers were present. Mona Ejaz attended with her 10-year-old son, Arzaan Ejaz, and said she wanted to take part in the course, “Because, I wanted to give the best part of my time to my son.”

Saima Khan, mother of five-year-old Danial Ali Khan, said, “I wanted my son to excel in an activity, as he likes to try out new stuff all the time, so this was one way I could bond with him. Secondly, I believe this is the age of exploration, I want my son to get exposed to the outside world!”

“When you bring a child in this world, you need to create that special bond with him/her. Its a big responsibility. When kids feel neglected or ignored, they stray away and one needs to prevent that,” said Abbas.

Abbas believes that this particular session is ‘To tie up mom, dad and kid’. She encourages interactive sessions, and said “We are living in a fast paced world and everyone is so into technology these days, that the human factor is missing altogether.”



Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2011.