ARRIVAL LOUNGE

BRAMPTON TEACHER STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE

Ashu Rehan teaches at a private school in Brampton.

By SHIPRA CHAUDHURY

Ashu Rehan ends her weekly morning yoga classes at a local private school in Brampton with these words: “Be a kind human being and always help yourself and one another.”

“I have always wanted to teach kids faithfulness and frankness, sincerity and self-respect, empathy and warm-heartedness, and I am grateful that by teaching yoga to small kids, the marvellous inner light that all children have, can be surfaced,” says the forty-something private school teacher who came  to this country 25 years ago with her husband and two daughters.

According to her, children derive enormous benefits from yoga. It enhances not only their flexibility, strength, coordination, and body awareness, but also improves their concentration and sense of calmness. While doing yoga, children exercise, play, connect more deeply with the inner self, and develop an intimate relationship with the natural world that surrounds them.

“Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and fosters co-operation and compassion,” says Rehan.

Armed with a science degree from India, Rehan was teaching at an elementary school when she got married. But after moving to Canada, she had a hard time finding a suitable teaching job.

“Luckily at the time, this private school was hiring junior kindergarten teachers. New to this country, I took up the teaching position and grew with this school. They moved campuses and I, too, moved with them.”

Rehan has been with the school for more than two decades.

As a junior kindergarten teacher, what she loves most is how she gets to spend time with children. Her two teenage daughters, Anjali and Aeesha, have also helped her to grow into an experienced mother and teacher. Patience with kids and passion for teaching are two of the most important qualities that a kindergarten teacher should have, she says.

“My day starts  at 7 am and runs until 4 pm,” says Rehan. “Besides teaching, I also run before and after-school programs, and morning yoga is one of them”.

She reminisces about her childhood in India and being part of a sports team. “Our regular practice started off with morning stretches and yoga, as that helped us to focus, concentrate and calm down. Developing body awareness and managing stress through breathing and meditation was the key focus of our practices in those days.”

How does she transfer that knowledge to little children in Canada?

“Yoga improves balance, strength, endurance and aerobic capacity in children,” says Rehan. “A good physical posture builds confidence and strength as well as the mind-body connection and teaches them to take this strength, confidence, acceptance and compassion out into the world. We always try to teach positive things to children and I have noticed that yoga not only helps to increase their confidence but also their positive self-image. And in today’s world full of technology, yoga provides an alternative to tuning out through constant attachment to electronic devices. In fact, I find yoga to be very effective as it is so tangible!”

Rehan also did a diploma course for estheticians because this was her hobby and she pursues it in her free time.

What does she like most about Canada?

 “Diversity in cultures and the open-mindedness of people make this a wonderful country.”

Any tips for newcomers?

“Follow your dream and go after it,” is the lesson this teacher would like to share with others.