Yoga program aims to reduce youth violence

By ADAM TAYLOR, The News Journal

Posted Friday, March 2, 2007

WILMINGTON -- Fifteen low-income kids from West Center City will soon be learning yoga, deep breathing and other relaxation techniques designed to make them less stressed, and, hopefully, nonviolent.

The pilot program, which will be paid for by the city government, will be taught by members of the Art of Living Foundation's Delaware Chapter. The national organization is trying to create a violence- and stress-free America.

Swamy Yeleswaram, a foundation member, said some people can be "totally transformed" by the programs. The Youth Empowerment Seminar, which hopes to begin at the William Hicks Anderson Community Center by the end of the month, could be a particular help to at-risk children in Wilmington.

City Communications Director John Rago could not immediately say how much the city will pay for the program. Yeleswaram said the figure hasn't been finalized, but it will be about $3,000. There will be no cost to the children who participate.

"After seeing the results of reducing stress in adults all across Delaware, we decided to see if we can somehow work with youth in the hopes that we can reduce the angst-related violence than plagues our society," Yeleswaram said. "It can be a good complementary program to help these kids. We're not naive enough to think it's going to solve the whole problem."

The program will be taught in six, three-hour sessions. There will be 10 follow-up sessions over several weeks.

The foundation's instructors believe that stress leads to negativity, which ultimately leads to violence.

"No one teaches our youth how to relax or deal with stress," Yeleswaram said. "There really is no systematic way of reaching out to young people to deal with negative emotions and peer pressure."

The program deals with life's physical, mental, social and emotional aspects. The physical component includes yoga and breathing techniques.

The mental component includes lessons on increasing memory, improving concentration and developing coping mechanisms. The social component includes teaching interpersonal skills and cooperation. The emotional compo- nent includes confidence-building and conflict-resolution exercises.

Mayor James M. Baker said the city would consider expanding the program if the pilot sessions are successful.

"A lot of your young people obviously don't know how to handle pressure generally and certainly don't know how to handle peer pressure," he said.

The foundation's Delaware chapter and 35 others around the country are holding 25-year anniversary celebrations Saturday. The Delaware event will be at Wilmington's Bayard Elementary, 1200 S. DuPont St.

The event will include awards for children who have engaged in random acts of kindness, cultural performances, a peace meditation service and remarks by Mayor Baker.

The foundation is asking adults to pay $5 to $20. There is no charge for anyone 18 or younger. For information, contact Yeleswaram at 379-4200, artoflivingde@yahoo.com or aol.swamyusa@gmail.com.

Contact Adam Taylor at 324-2787 or ataylor@delawareonline.com.