What's up with kids these days?

That might sound like your classic lament about a lack of discipline in today's youth, but in fact, a lot of what is affecting the kids of America is something a little different.  Many educators, parents and others are looking at alarming trends that have less to do with "acting out" and more to do with day to day factors like poor diet, bad posture and lack of exercise, which can lead to other serious problems.

Many of us know that childhood obesity is on the rise, and lots of us know why, or at least are aware of some of the main factors.  One smart step by some schools was to take the soda machines out of every corner of the school, as high fructose corn syrup has a lot to do with ailments affecting our youth.  But other possible solutions are on the horizon that address bigger components of the issue.

While research shows that millions of American kids are at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions, it also shows that a surprisingly low minority of schools at all grade levels provide physical education daily.  That's right, kids from a young age are being led toward the kinds of sedentary lifestyles that are affecting the adult population.  If that seems backward, consider some of the physical education that is available, where schools may take a kind of "boot camp" approach toward daily exercise, and think about how many kids actively avoid school-based workouts.

If all of that gets you down, think about this: an alternative approach could help solve things like childhood obesity and even ADHD (Attention Hyper-Deficit Disorder) by combining a creative, initiative building program with daily exercise.

Groundbreaking educators call this "Mind/Body" exercise.  It's comprised of aspects of yoga, tai chi, and other activities that combine physical exercise with an "idea" element.  And it works.

First, kids look to adults for guidance, and not just a command to run around a track or do a certain number of push-ups.  Second, kids respond very well to word-associations, idea-based fitness programs, and all of the other things that yoga or a related Mind/Body discipline can provide.  Third, building advanced ideas around fitness routines with storyboarding or other tools gives kids a focus, something to look toward, and a strong guidance away from the kinds of ADHD behaviors that threaten our classrooms.  Many kids who act out are looking for something to get engaged in, and with the right Mind/Body training solution, some will self-curb a certain range of behaviors, while working toward better fitness and life results.

Take a look at any of many books and videos containing yoga, tai chi and other elements, and see how teaching children about the "chi" in living creatures, yin and yang, or just object based programs with poses like tree, bird or mountain can give kids a road map toward integrating their daily exercise with a creative outlet.  That's something that every parent should look to, especially if they feel like their kids are going down the wrong road early in life.  Kids who are empowered to make good choices will often keep those choices for life, so it's in our best interests to see about renovating old fitness routines for our youngest citizens.