Don't lockdown the fun

Of the many joys that the virus has robbed all of us of one of the most heartbreaking things remains a whole year of childhood for schoolgoing children As playing games in the central public garden chasing paper boats in the rain or even interacting with their peers becomes a physically distanced reality for kids a Delhibased duo is trying to shine a ray of hope in these bleak timesThe brainchild of gym instructor Ravi Chauhan supported by certified yoga instructor Nikita Chauhan online platform Virtually Fit for Kids has created a whole module of physical training activities that not only merges fun with fitness but also ensures the mental wellbeing of childrenWhat is unique about the project is that the activities mdash dance sessions kickboxing or yoga mdash are not just restricted to the little ones but also go the extra mile to involve parents making each session super specialNikita Chauhan and Ravi ChauhanFounder and kickboxing coach Ravi shares The lockdown is rough for children who havent had any physical activity or motivation While many parents were hesitant at first raising doubts about whether online physical fitness would be beneficial to their kids considering factors like screen fatigue we have had a positive response so farNikita adds how the routines and workouts have been designed to work on mindfulness and posture When we realised that the Coronavirus wasnt going away any time soon getting children involved in physical activities and helping them integrate the concept of fitness became importantShedding light on one such recent activity Yoga with your favourite toy she shares how kids not only learned several yoga poses but also introduced themselves and their toys during the session to other participants Another popular session was Kickboxing with Dad and I where the children with their fathers transformed into ninjas to fight off alien forces by throwing kicks and punchesSimilarly Yoga with Mom involved postures like holding hands and hugging to help them experience the security of touch in a world where it is increasingly becoming a form of danger The dance sessions involve grooving to the tunes of pop songs The recent Beiber Fever was a major hit among the attendeesEmphasising how mindfulness also translates into other activities Nikita shares We also held a class where the kids were asked to pay close attention to their breathing patterns and then draw them in waves on a sheet of paper We also have an ongoing mindfulness challenge where every child has to do one mindful activity a dayThese activities can range from hugging their mom drawing a picture for their dad watching a flower closely to listening to the sounds outside At a time when it is easier to recede into a shell and cut off from the rest of the world our goal is to keep children engaged with their environment even while being at home she addsAttendees who are keen to learn postures like headstands or handstands are given oneonone extra classesLog on to virtuallyfitkids on InstagramCost Rs 1105 for eight sessionsKey to being fit and healthypoundIf you sense that your child is experiencing anxiety or a stiff neck sit with them hold their hand and take long breaths to calm them downpoundEngage your kid in one mindful activity a daypoundDraw your feelings together Sketch things that make you happypoundUse affirmationspoundMonitor the consumption of media Avoid using words that strike fear or have negative connotations at homeKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest news