Children's and Teenagers' Anapana Meditation Courses
by Vipassana Research Institute (VRI)
Learn the Anapana breathing technique
One-day and residential Anapana meditation courses for children and teenagers aged 8 to 18, held at Vipassana centres and other venues across India.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
One day for non-residential courses, or two to three days for residential courses
Time needed
1 day, or 2 or 3 days residential
Eligibility
Open to children and teenagers aged 8 to 18 years. Separate batches are held for the 8 to 12 and 13 to 18 age groups, and boys and girls are taught in separate groups. Each centre publishes the age band it accepts for a particular course, which is often narrower than the overall range, so families should check the listing for the centre they choose. Courses run at venues across India with no residency restriction.
- Age range
- 8 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
See if your child qualifies.
Benefits
- Learn Anapana, observation of natural breath
- Guided by a trained children's course teacher
- Small groups with a dedicated group leader
- Meditation alternates with games and activities
- No fee, run on voluntary donations
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Enrollment
- Open all year
Multiple Locations, Nationwide
How to apply
- 1Read the code of conduct and the sample course timetable
- 2Pick a centre or non-centre venue from the children's course schedule
- 3Contact that centre and follow its registration procedure
- 4Register in advance, as prior registration is required
Rules and guidelines
- Observe the five precepts for the duration of the course
- Stay within the course premises for the whole course
- Set aside other religious practices during the course
- Boys and girls are grouped and stay separately
- Follow the teacher's instructions during meditation sessions
About this opportunity
Anapana meditation courses introduce children and teenagers aged 8 to 18 to the observation of natural breath, taught by a trained children's course teacher at Vipassana meditation centres and other venues across India.
Separate batches are organised for the 8 to 12 and the 13 to 18 age groups. A one-day non-residential course is the common format, and some centres run two or three-day residential courses. Short meditation sessions of 30 to 40 minutes alternate with supervised games, drawing and group discussion, and the course closes with metta-bhavana, the practice of goodwill.
The technique is taught through recorded audio and video instructions of S. N. Goenka, with volunteer group leaders working alongside the teacher, each with a small number of children. Participants undertake five precepts for the duration of the course and stay within the course premises. Boys and girls are taught and stay in separate groups.
No fee is charged. Courses are financed by voluntary donations from students who have completed an earlier course. Dates, timings and the exact age band accepted are published by each centre, so families register directly with the centre or venue they choose.
What your child will do
- Guided Anapana meditation sessions
- Supervised games
- Drawing and creative activities
- Group discussion and feedback
- Closing metta-bhavana session
Course details
Trainers
Led by a children's course teacher who has completed a dedicated training workshop, assisted by volunteer group leaders who each work with a small number of children.
Academic details
Difficulty: Introductory
What's covered
Short guided Anapana sessions of 30 to 40 minutes taught through recorded instructions of S. N. Goenka, alternating with supervised play, drawing and group discussion, and closing with metta-bhavana.
Frequently asked questions
What do children actually do during an Anapana course?
Meditation sessions of 30 to 40 minutes alternate with supervised games, drawing and group discussion. The technique is taught through recorded audio and video instructions of S. N. Goenka, and the course closes with metta-bhavana, the practice of goodwill.
Is there any charge for the course?
No fee is charged. Courses are financed by voluntary donations from students who have completed a prior course and wish to give so that those who come after them can attend.
How long does a course run?
The one-day non-residential course is the common format. The published sample timetable runs from about 9.30 am to 4.00 pm and exact timings vary by centre. Some centres run two or three-day residential courses.
Which age groups can attend?
Courses are held for children and teenagers between 8 and 18 years, with separate batches for the 8 to 12 and 13 to 18 age groups. Each centre publishes the age band it accepts for a particular course, which is often narrower than the overall range.
How do families register for a course?
Families choose a centre or non-centre venue from the children's course schedule and contact that centre directly. Prior registration is required and each centre defines its own procedure.
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