Now’s the time to hit the sports ground hard!

There was a time when playing was considered to be the kind of thing a serious person was not supposed to indulge in.
Why, there was a whole verse dedicated to the act! That was till the world realized the benefits of running around playing games and being yourself.
India’s relation with playing games has been mixed. The farther you are from a city, the more likely you are to be a fit sports person.
The nearer you are, more the likelihood that you would be a couch potato.

The other likely place where you may still find children at play could be the school ground, irrespective of its size and location. For that matter,
all it takes for the seriously gamely is an empty are, even an empty stretch of a road!
When it looked like India was serious about games it played, in this conundrum comes the pandemic-induced lockdown,
the worst such thing that the world has seen in the last century.
With a clean sweep, it turned playing be it at school or in urban and rural pockets in India into a much-despised.

Stay home, and stay there was the new norm. While our children got bored, they also acquired certain traits, habits and afflictions that can be anything but normal or healthy.
Thankfully with the pandemic likely abating, this could be a thing of the past though, it could take its own time.
But two years is too long a time for habits to un-form easily. To get back to the earliest and nicer habits,
including the act of going out and playing, parents at home and school authorities including teachers and principals may have to do the following, among others.

1. Become sports persons themselves

If you only preach, your child will never practice. For the latter to practice, you i.e., the parent shall have to practice what you preach.
Doing so would always motivate your child to follow suite. And fast.
All it needs is one sports person in the family to set the ball rolling, and gather everyone in the house like an avalanche in full run!
As for schools, it should ideally start at the top with the Principal, the father-figure him/herself getting into sports.
It could be easier said than done but changing into sports clothes towards the end of the day and going out into the ground to play football, volleyball,
cricket and the likes is very likely to get things working for school children. Even impromptu playing with children could be of great help.

2. Talk more about sports and show their commitment towards sports

Politics gets India worked up for all the wrong reasons. By contrast, sports do much better.
Try and inculcate speaking about the sport you intend to play, and do that often. This would inculcate in your kids the habit of reading about it and feeling motivated to do better with each day.
In schools this can be brought about by reading out important sports-related news during the morning assembly besides getting sporting personalities to visit the school from time to time.

3. Make a group in the neighbourhood of like-minded people

There’s nothing like crowd-dynamics to get the ball rolling as far as sports go. The feeling of a common bond gets people to do things far more than when you are alone.
For this reason, get people in the neighbourhood, including close friends into the act. While motivating children to join in, it shall also make them feel more secure among known people.

4. Identify a designated area for playing

One of the biggest demotivators of sports is the lack of places to play. Having to look around can be a big no-no and reason enough to stay back home and watch TV all the time.
To get your child to leave home at a designated time and go out and play a sport, get the play area identified and designated so as to cut down on the time needed to identify such places.
Try identify places close by that are frequented by his/ her friends.

5. Be at it!

Anything new is sure to have hiccups in the initial days which may demotivate you and your child to hold back and stay home.
But remember that this too will pass and you shall find the right sport and the right place with time.
And looking back you would also get the feeling of having achieved something after a struggle! So, be at it!

6. Speaking about sports!

This is especially useful for schools. With parents visiting schools for varied reasons,
it should be the responsibility of each teach at each touch-point to ask about a child’s play habit and recommend that they take up sports.
Many schools have after-school sporting activities that ought to be promoted more strongly now. It’s now that schools ought to have smaller and
more focussed sporting activity that are designed to get children out of class-rooms and into sports. They needn’t be competitive and may be entirely to get the children to play sports.
Schools approach sports organisations such as KinderSports, to help achieve this objective to encourage children to play and help create an interest in sports & effective coaching.

Exercise is beneficial to children because it keeps them healthy, improves their overall health, and aids in the prevention of long-term issues such as heart problems, diabetes, and cancer. Allowing children to participate in sports is the most effective means of encouraging them to improve their regular exercise.

The Advantages of Teaching Sports to Children
● Teach children responsibility and teamwork through increasing physical exercise and keeping their bodies fit and healthy.
● Unleashing their innate creativity and ability to design strategies.
● Assists them in meeting new people.

How to Inspire Children to Participate in Sports
You can’t make kids appreciate sports right away, especially if they’re used to being surrounded by devices and playing online games. Here are some suggestions for piquing their interest in sports:

1. Allow them to select their sports.
Many people believe that children have little control over their sports activities. They believe that they are obligated to follow the wishes of the family’s adults. While this is occasionally true, some of the most popular children’s sports programs give the kids a say in how the game is played.

2. It’s a Family Outing
Sporting events can be a terrific way to bring the entire family together for a fun pastime. One thing you’ll want to make sure you do is to choose a game that your children will enjoy. It’s pointless to teach them something that will be tedious or dull for them to learn.

3. Get them started when they’re young
It is vital to expose young children to sports to encourage them to participate in these physical activities. Young children, on the other hand, may not yet know what sports they wish to participate in.

Conclusion
Make certain that your kids are always praised and provided encouragement. When you support them, make sure you’re interested in what they’re doing and willing to help them develop.

Bow pose / Dhanurasana
a. The bow pose, or Dhanurasana, is an asana that is part of the traditional Hatha Yoga system.
b. It is a back-bending pose that stretches and strengthens the entire body.
c. The bow pose is beneficial for the spine, chest, and hips, and it can help to improve posture.

Cow pose / Gomukhasana
a. Cow pose, or Gomukhasana, is a seated yoga pose that stretches the shoulders and chest.
b. The name cow pose comes from the way the pose looks, as it resembles a cow’s head and neck.
c. This pose is often used as a warm-up for other poses and can help to open the chest and improve posture.

Plough Pose / Halasana
a. The Plough Pose, or Halasana, is a challenging spinal twist that is said to detoxify the body and stimulate the organs.
b. It is also said to be helpful in relieving stress and tension headaches.
c. The pose can be performed by anyone who is relatively fit, but it is important to work up to it gradually.

Vakrasana / Twisted Pose
a. The twisted pose, or vakrasana, is an advanced yoga pose that requires strength and flexibility.
b. The pose is named for the Sanskrit word “vakra,” meaning “twisted.”
c. This pose can be challenging, but it is worth the effort.
d. The twisted pose can help to improve flexibility and strength in the spine and hips.
e. It also helps to improve balance and focus.

Sukhasana / Easy Pose
a. Sukhasana, or easy pose, is a simple and calming yoga posture that can be done almost anywhere, any time.
b. Sukhasana is a great way to start your day or to wind down in the evening.
c. This pose is said to improve circulation, increase energy, and promote a sense of calm.

1.Straddle Stretch –

2.Downward facing dog –

3.Vrikasana or the Tree Pose –

4.The Camel Pose –

5.Butterfly Stretch –

In Conclusion –

These gymnastic stretches are easy to do and don’t take a lot of time. Practice them every day with your kids for a healthy lifestyle.

As parents, we want to give our kids the best future possible. While there are many things that contribute to building a healthy lifestyle for a kid, sports play an integral part. Read the blog below to know how sports is connected to the effective grooming of your child.

How does playing a sport contribute to the overall development of a child?

Significantly improve your child’s social skills –

Kids learn to interact with other children and adults from a young age when they get involved in sports activities thus contributing to well-developed social skills.

Instils Discipline –

Playing a sport requires dedication and discipline that also translates to other aspects of a kid’s life.

Teamwork –

A sense of unity is built amongst children when they play with each other. They learn to co-operate and work together in order to win.

Leadership skills –

Every team requires a leader and teammates that listen to the captain. Playing a sport helps build confidence and effective leadership skills.

In Conclusion –

Playing a sport is crucial to the overall development of a child and every parent must encourage their children to play sports to improve the various aspects of their lives.

Gymnastics has a long and rich history. It began in Greece and has been around for more than 1000 years! Gymnastics is a great exercise to keep your kids healthy and active. Here are some fun facts that you may not know about Gymnastics –

Gymnastics was used to train men for war!

Yes! You heard it right. Philostratus was the first person to have documented the sport. Men used to practice gymnastics to prepare them for war.

Did you know that in Ancient Greece, physical fitness was an attribute that was valued highly in both men and women? After the Romans conquered Greece in 146BC gymnastics was more formalized and used to train men in warfare.

Women’s gymnastics competitions began in 1936 –

Men began competing in the Olympics for Gymnastics in 1896 in the modern Olympic Games. While gymnastics for women began in 1936 with the introduction of an all-around competition it wasn’t until 1952 that it was given the importance of separate events!

Father of Gymnastics –

Friedrich Ludwig Jahn is known as the father of gymnastics. He was an ardent believer in physical education being the cornerstone of strength and national health that builds a national identity. He invented the rings, balance beams, parallel bars, horizontal bars and the horse. The horizontal bar later went on to become the standard equipment used for gymnastics. He’s believed to have established a strong following of young men and adults into the first gymnastics club of 1811.

International Gymnastics Federation –

The oldest organization dedicated to sports is gymnastics! Founded in the year 1881 in Belgium and has its headquarters in Switzerland. Originally called the European Federation of Gymnastics, the organization had 3 founded members – France, Netherlands and Belgium. The federation set in place the Code of Points that regulate how a gymnast’s performance should be scored and evaluated. The FIG governs in total 7 gymnastics disciplines Men’s artistic gymnastics, women’s artistic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampolining, double mini-trampoline, tumbling, parkour.

Individual Trampolining is considered a recreational activity –

Trampolining involves a series of aerial skills and a total of 10 jumps that are performed on the trampoline. The level of difficulty and the length of a gymnast’s performance determines the gymnast’s score. Individual trampolining was added to the roster of Olympic gymnastics in the year 2000.

The perfect 10 doesn’t exist!

14year old Nadia Comaneci took everyone by surprise as she managed to score 3 10’s from the judges in the Olympic Game of 1976. Since then, gymnasts around the world have always strived to achieve that perfect score until the year 2006 when the scoring model changed that has since received heavy criticism.

Gymnasts begin and end their career early –

Did you know that aspiring gymnasts begin training when they’re as little as 2 years old! They start their training early because the sooner you start the chances of you developing your balance, flexibility, coordination will increase. Earlier rhythmic gymnasts used to retire by the time they were 22 years of age. However, there are many gymnasts now that still train and practice gymnastics well after the age of 22.

The Soviet Union has the greatest number of medals in Gymnastics!

The Soviet Union holds the record for the highest number of medal-winning gymnasts in the world! This is true for both categories of men and women gymnastics.

Gymnastics use chalk to improve their game –

Many of you may not know this but gymnasts use chalk as it absorbs moisture, helps reduce friction, allows for a smooth spin and helps reduce the risk of injury to their hands.

Gymnasts train on an average of 20 hours a week!

Being a gymnast isn’t easy. Professional gymnasts will spend hours upon hours training and perfecting their stunts. Gymnasts are known to practice for more than 20hours in a week!

Gymnastics is a very interesting sport, one that has a rich and long history. Becoming a professional gymnast isn’t easy and therefore not many people will enrol their children on this sport.

Yoga balls are also popularly known as Swiss balls, physio balls, balance ball is a type of exercise equipment that helps you stay fit. These balls are made of vinyl material and are used to improve your core stability, help balance your body and also improve the strength of your core. Over the years yoga balls have found their way out of the gyms and into the homes of many fitness enthusiasts, offices and other such commonplaces. In this article, we’re going to highlight a few key points on how a yoga ball can help you in your daily life as well as the various uses it has outside of the gym.

How does the yoga ball improve your everyday life?

Yoga balls are great for working out and for sitting on when working. Here are a few reasons why –

Strengthens your core –

Swiss balls are great workout equipment. Simply swipe your exercise bench with a Swiss ball when you do your core workouts. Performing crunches on an exercise ball can boost the activation and flexing of your muscles anywhere between 24-38% when compared to crunches done without a ball. You can try out a variety of exercises on the Swiss ball such as rows, dumbbell press, bicep curls, etc.

Yoga balls are great for pregnant women –

A yoga ball can help women sit correctly without slumping which is essential especially during the last stages of pregnancy to help the baby get into the correct position. Moreover, a yoga ball distributes your body weight evenly so relieving the spinal pressure and easing any back pain or pregnancy nibbles you may feel.

Yoga balls help with postpartum –

Yoga balls feel great to women who’ve given birth after 6 weeks. Women should deflate the ball so it gets extra spongy. Along with recovery shorts, sitting on a yoga ball will really help in comforting your pelvic floor and recovery post-birth.

Improving flexibility –

Yoga balls are great for improving flexibility. Even if you don’t incorporate it into your everyday workout routine, use it to stretch your body before and after workouts. Using a yoga ball for stretches can reduce the risk of injury and ensure that your muscles function at their optimum.

Improve your balance –

A yoga ball is also known as a stability ball because even simply sitting on the ball will help engage your stabilizer muscles. When you sit on an exercise ball you end up using your back and abdominal muscles to maintain your balance and posture which in turn helps in the proper alignment of your back and prevents back injuries during workouts.

In Conclusion –

While using the yoga ball has many benefits, sitting on it for long bursts of time such as hours may not be fruitful. One must make use of the yoga ball for a maximum of 2 hours and must always get up and take short walks when required to sit in one place and work for long hours.

It’s hard to beat a person that never gives up. – Babe Ruth.

As parents, you strive to provide your children with the best things possible and one of the best things that we can give our children is the love for exercise. Parents should get their kids involved in as many activities as possible at a young age so that they develop a liking or love for them as they grow up. Here are a few benefits of regular exercise.

Positive benefits of exercising –

Improves behavior–

Children between the ages of 9 and 10 are most susceptible to ADHD. Children that engage in physical activity and spend more time in nature are less likely to be stressed or hyped because green spaces can have a calming effect on children that ultimately reduces anxiety levels.

Stronger bones –

When you engage in physical activity your bones adapt to build stronger and denser bones. Adults start losing bone mass in their 20s so parents must prepare their kids for a healthy lifestyle from a young age.

Improved sleeping –

Kids who exercise tend to fall asleep faster, quicker and the quality of their sleep is much better. Exercising early in the morning will also lead to a healthy daily routine and create a positive lifestyle for your children.

Cardiovascular health –

Regular exercising reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as high BP, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol.

Improve your child’s academic performance –

Exercises have proved to encourage our brains to work at their maximum capacity as it causes your nerve cells to multiply ultimately strengthening their interconnections and protecting them from internal damage.

In Conclusion –

There are many ways for your kids to get their daily dose of exercising even without going out. Find activities that your child likes doing so they’re motivated to learning, playing and enjoying activities that boost their physical and mental wellness.

Easy stretching exercises for children –

Stretch yourself beyond what you think is possible.

A gymnastics is a form of exercise that is best learnt young. It makes you more flexible and helps your body stay young significantly.

1. Quadricep stretch –

• Activates your quad muscles.
• Increases flexibility.
• Relieves muscle soreness.
• Increases your short-term range of motion.

2. Bhujangasana or the Cobra Pose –

• Strengthens the spine
• Soothes sciatica
• Stimulates abdominal organs
• Therapeutic for people with asthma
• Strengthens the lungs, abdomen and shoulders

3. Triceps Stretch –

• Increases your range of motion.
• Improves flexibility.
• Prevents tight muscles.
• Boosts circulation.
• Loosens connective tissue.

4. Knee Lunge –

• Strengthens and tones your body.
• Increases muscle mass.
• Corrects your alignment and symmetry.
• Helps improve balance.

5. Warrior pose 2 –

• Stretches your hips, groin and shoulders.
• Improves balance and provides stability.
• Improves respiration and circulation.

In Conclusion –

All these stretches are easy to do and have long-lasting benefits for your body. Parents and children can do this exercise together as a great bonding

The year 2021 has been great for India when it comes to sports. After splendid victories in the Olympics and Paralympics, India’s wins haven’t stopped coming in! For the first time the Women’s Indian Chess Team won the Silver Medal at FIDE which is the International Chess Federation or also known as The World Chess Federation.

FIDE is an international chess federation based in Switzerland that acts as the governing body for international chess competitions. A team of 5 strong women from India participated in this tournament and came back with victories and the person who guided them through this was Abhijit Kunte. In this article, we’re going to talk about who they are, their achievements and what led them to chess!

1.       WGM/IM Tania Sachdev

2.       WGM Harika Dronavalli

3.       WGM Mary Ann Gomes

4.       WGM Bhakti Kulkarni

5.       WIM Vaishali Rameshbabu

1.      WGM/ IM Tania Sachdev – Born in 1986, Tania Sachdev was born in 1986 in Delhi. Tania was introduced to the world of chess at the age of 6 by her mother and thus began her journey into the world of chess. She won her 1^st international award at just 8 years of age and has never had to look back! In 2005 Tania Sachdev was awarded the Women’s GrandMaster title. Over the years Tania has played many prominent international chess matches and was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2019.

2.      WGM Harika Dronavalli – Harika Dronalli was born in 1991 in Guntur and won her first national championship before she turned 9! Harika Dronavalli is the 2^nd Indian Woman to have been given the women grandmaster title. Harika Dronavalli was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in the year 2006-2007 by the Government of India for her exceptional performance in sports.

3.      WGM Mary Ann Gomes – Born in 1989, Mary Ann Gomes is a Kolkata born chess player who was given the women’s grandmaster title in 2008 by FIDE. In 1999 Mary Ann Gomes won her first Asian Youth Chess Championship in Ahmedabad in the girls under 10 categories and has since then won many national and international chess championships.

4.      WGM Bhakti Kulkarni – Born in 1992, Bhakti Kulkarni was given the Women’s Grand Master title in 2012 making her Goa’s first International Master. Bhakti is the 6^th Indian woman to have been given this title. In 2016 she won the Asian Chess Women Championship.

5.      WIM Vaishali Rameshbabu – Vaishali Rameshbabu was our team’s youngest chess player. Born in 2001 Vaishali ranks 2^nd in India and 12^th in the world in the chess U16 category. She’s won many championships over the years including the Girls World Youth Chess Championship in the Under 14s and 12s category. In 2016 she won the Women International Master title.

A coach is someone who provides guidance, motivates and supports the team in real-time during the events while most of us provide support virtually. The person who supported the Women’s Team and guided them into winning is Grand Master Abhijit Kunte.

Abhijit Kunte is a Major Dhyan Chand awardee from Pune. Abhijit Kunte was awarded the Grandmaster title in the year 2000 and has won many national and international awards for India. Abhijit Kunte believes in coaching young minds and guiding them in their chess journey and has helped coach many students.

In Conclusion – Winning the silver medal at FIDE was a proud moment for all Indian’s as this was our 1^st win in this category. All our chess players are amazing and have been doing amazing work in their field. We wish them well in all of their future endeavours.