For a fit body and mind
Students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, R.S. Puram, Coimbatore, practising yoga classes and (top) a meditation class in progress.What keeps the students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan going is a daily dose of yoga and meditation. They are a relaxed and happy lot with their academic performance.As part of ‘Human Excellence’ in the school’s curriculum, the students are introduced to yoga and meditation techniques at a very early age. They continue it till the day they leave the school.Every student from LKG to Plus-Two is expected to learn and practise it every day. The school believes in inculcating in its students the concept of spiritual quotient in an addition to emotional and intelligence quotient. “Academic excellence and emotional intelligence is required, but the spiritual quotient is what completes the individual,” says Kumudhini Periaswamy, principal of the school.The all-round development is extremely important for students and they would not achieve it by intensive academic training alone. The breathing exercises and the ‘surya namaskar,’ give them the ability to handle stress and perform better, Ms. Kumudhini explains. The ‘Human Excellence’ hours aim at physical as well as mental development.
“It keeps us fresh throughout the day. Especially, the meditation,” says Ujual Kumar Bucha, a Plus-Two second group student.Some of them carry the practice to their homes, practising it even during their vacations. The school, which has a strength of 1,450 students, has been imparting value education to its students ever since its inception. Professionals handle the yoga and meditation classes and speakers from all faiths are invited to the school regularly to speak on values.“The discipline gained through these exercises gives them an edge over the others when it comes to behavioural skills and personality,” Ms.Kumudhini says.The school lays emphasis on music and other such extra curricular activities. “Initially, the physical exercises seemed a little difficult. But, once we got used to it, it was very easy and relaxing,” says M. Archana, a Plus-Two first group student.
