Knights of the Order of Castle Dale Library learn yoga techniques

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The Castle Dale Library is sponsoring a summer program of fun and learning. The Knights of the Order of the Castle Dale Library is for the older children in Castle Dale. Their motto is Knights of Change.
They have been learning how to make positive changes in their lives as well as increasing their knowledge about automobiles and safety awareness. They will have several activities throughout the summer and meet each Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. and all are welcome.
One week the Knights learned about yoga from instructor Partap Singh. Partap is also know as Sandon McArthur and he is from Huntington. His new name Partap Singh is translated to mean, “The lion who walks with everlasting reverence.”
The journey into yoga and natural living has been a lifestyle change for Partap. He is now a vegetarian and his beliefs include not cutting your hair. Strength is derived from keeping the hair in its natural state.
On this day Partap instructed the young people on how to get in touch with their inner selves. He encouraged them to each day take time out for themselves. Partap told the young people that Kriya is the different routine postures involved in yoga.
Everyone removed their shoes to begin with and placed themselves in a yoga posture. The removal of the shoes allows the participant to get closer and form a connection with Mother Earth. The students began by sitting and breathing with their eyes closed.
The power and divinity of all people is recognized through Eastern philosophy. Part of the yoga experience is to think positive thoughts as you pause and reflect. Yoga came from Asia and Africa and has been practiced for thousands of years. Yoga simply means union, you turn in to unify yourself. There are many different types of yoga.
“As teenagers you will go through many hormonal changes. You will experience acne, skin problems and metabolism changes. Yoga can help with these processes. The better you breathe, the better you feel. Stimulate the oxygen in your blood by better breathing. The thyroid controls your metabolism. When thyroid function decreases then metabolism will also decrease. In America, we tend to stretch muscles, not nerves. We have a lot of long nerves in our bodies. All movement is controlled by nerves. Yoga can strengthen nerves,” said Partap.
Partap told the students he is now drug free. He was once in a lot of trouble. Drug court helped him out a lot and he is now drug free and he attributes much of his success to yoga and a healthy lifestyle change. Partap said when people take drugs the drugs cause a reaction in the body. The drug mimics a reaction or response the body already has.
Partap said having balance in your body can help heal the damages of drugs and other unhealthy practices. Yoga is the total package for a healthy body. The yoga positions as best practiced with the eyes closed to turn inward and the proper sitting position. Partap showed the students different yoga postures. He showed them a technique to use in the mornings or anytime when they need an energy boost. He demonstrated proper stretching techniques and stress relieving positions and breathing. He showed the students a breathing technique they can teach their parents to relieve stress while driving. He said all stress seems to tighten up the shoulder area and he showed the proper way to release this stress.
Partap said good posture as you move through your yoga movements is essential. A properly aligned spine helps to alieviate some back problems. A straight spine will not constrict fluids and opens up the lungs to allow more oxygen to flow through.
“Set time apart each day for yourself. Concentrate on your breathing. The more oxygen your brain gets the better it will function,” said Partap. Partap showed the students some isometric holding exercises. They will help strengthen nerves. He told the students that nerves are like a wire. If nerves aren’t strong they won’t hold the charge and they won’t stimulate entire muscles. He said we are much stronger than we think we are. The more stretching and moving the body does the more toxins it will release. Partap said if you need to sit on a pillow you can. Neck rolls are good for stress release also. The yoga postures help prepare the body for meditation. Some chanting can accompany mediation which has a calming soothing affect on the body and mind.
“Get in touch with yourself, you are great,” said Partap. Knights participating this day included: Valerie Chynoweth, Savannah Woolsey, Tylee Lester, Derick Anderson, Tiffany Funk, Anthony Jorgensen, Abram Hatfield and Caleb Woolsey.