What started as some Brahma Kumari games for the Brahma Kumaris "children's class" in which kids were entertained whilst their mothers listen to the BKs' teachings and meditated, and became a very successful outreach PR programme before a daughter of a BK was allowed to turn it into a paying business and use the BK facilities to promote it, RelaxKids has started to receive public funding from the Public Health Agency for Northern Ireland for a programme of promoting it in schools.
And, a bit naughtily I think, using the kids' photos to promote it.
Whether the individuals running it are BKs or not, I don't know. Many individual"coaches" coming to the programme now are just doing it as a business and are unaware of the roots and meaning of the BK symbolism contained within it.
The BK founder amazed us when she published stories about how she had found her "prince charming" and was going to get married, even meditating on the morning of the event ... circumstances unconceivable in India and elsewhere where the cult demands total control over adherents' sexual and emotional expression ... and then was still allowed to use BK facilities for her private business afterwards. An highly unusual scenario for a cult who used to have it as their principle that centers and BK associations were not to be used to discuss and share businesses.
Unless, it seems, the BKs get a bit of that business ...
Relax Kids training now costs £800 plus 20% VAT plus a monthly license for territory rights. We understand Viegas has since separated.
Relax Kids is still used as a medium to promote Brahma Kumarism, albeit in a disguised manner. In this summer's Relax magazine, their inhouse promotion, MARNETA VIEGAS promotes not the Brahma Kumaris, in an article about "Meditation for Adults", but one MIKE GEORGE ... Aha, Gotcha! Mike George is, of course, a leading BK Publicity and PR worker who has also carved a little cottage industry out of the fat of the BKs' global empire, as a "a best selling author, management tutor and spiritual teacher" rather than a Brahma Kumari adherent.
She also promotes another BK follower, Neil Hawkes, who has been active promoting their Living Values front in education, with an article on "Impact of Values Education" again without mentioning the Brahma Kumari connection.
Both articles could have rolled off the BKs own printing presses and, overall, the entire presentation comes across as very typical of the BKs mode of operating, using unwitting non-BKs as fronts for their ulterior motives.
Whereas relaxation and values, and even hypnosis for kids may have positive values, from a BK point of view, one has to wonder about the ethics of a system which allows some BKs to turn service into a private business, enjoy the support and luxury of BK retreat venues to promote their business ... and break all the vows to engage in what the leaders call "poison" (love and marriage) ... whilst 10,000s if not 100,000s of young Indian women are kept in total control and servitude by the cult leaders.
BK Mike George seemingly continues to combine private paid for events with free, loss leading Brahma Kumari co-promotions.
Welcome to the BK co-prosperty fringe ... a circle of BKs around the Kirpalani Klan who have realised what the religion is really about about, and carved their own business out of it.
And, a bit naughtily I think, using the kids' photos to promote it.
Whether the individuals running it are BKs or not, I don't know. Many individual"coaches" coming to the programme now are just doing it as a business and are unaware of the roots and meaning of the BK symbolism contained within it.
The BK founder amazed us when she published stories about how she had found her "prince charming" and was going to get married, even meditating on the morning of the event ... circumstances unconceivable in India and elsewhere where the cult demands total control over adherents' sexual and emotional expression ... and then was still allowed to use BK facilities for her private business afterwards. An highly unusual scenario for a cult who used to have it as their principle that centers and BK associations were not to be used to discuss and share businesses.
Unless, it seems, the BKs get a bit of that business ...
Relax Kids training now costs £800 plus 20% VAT plus a monthly license for territory rights. We understand Viegas has since separated.
Relax Kids is still used as a medium to promote Brahma Kumarism, albeit in a disguised manner. In this summer's Relax magazine, their inhouse promotion, MARNETA VIEGAS promotes not the Brahma Kumaris, in an article about "Meditation for Adults", but one MIKE GEORGE ... Aha, Gotcha! Mike George is, of course, a leading BK Publicity and PR worker who has also carved a little cottage industry out of the fat of the BKs' global empire, as a "a best selling author, management tutor and spiritual teacher" rather than a Brahma Kumari adherent.
She also promotes another BK follower, Neil Hawkes, who has been active promoting their Living Values front in education, with an article on "Impact of Values Education" again without mentioning the Brahma Kumari connection.
Both articles could have rolled off the BKs own printing presses and, overall, the entire presentation comes across as very typical of the BKs mode of operating, using unwitting non-BKs as fronts for their ulterior motives.
Whereas relaxation and values, and even hypnosis for kids may have positive values, from a BK point of view, one has to wonder about the ethics of a system which allows some BKs to turn service into a private business, enjoy the support and luxury of BK retreat venues to promote their business ... and break all the vows to engage in what the leaders call "poison" (love and marriage) ... whilst 10,000s if not 100,000s of young Indian women are kept in total control and servitude by the cult leaders.
BK Mike George seemingly continues to combine private paid for events with free, loss leading Brahma Kumari co-promotions.
Welcome to the BK co-prosperty fringe ... a circle of BKs around the Kirpalani Klan who have realised what the religion is really about about, and carved their own business out of it.
]Relax Kinds funded through the Public Health Agency (PHA)
20/02/2014
The Trust’s Health Improvement Department and Western Education Support Team are taking forward a children’s programme designed to promote self-esteem, enhance self-confidence and create positive thinking.
The programme is being delivered at 10 primary schools throughout the Western Trust area and is funded through the Public Health Agency (PHA).
‘Relax Kids’ is a children’s relaxation programme aimed at helping children to feel confident and calm. It uses a 7 step method to teach children relaxation through movement, games, stretching and breathing exercises, peer light touch, positive affirmations and creative visualisation.
The programme is being delivered in Omagh County Primary School by Debbie Hunter, Western Trust Health Improvement Officer and Vickie McClenaghan, Western Trust Health Visitor.
Debbie said: “The programme supports and develops the skills that help to promote positive behaviour through fun creative activities. It encompasses methods to increase self-awareness, tools to manage feelings, increase motivation, empathy and social skills. The sessions help the children to clear and calm their minds while sharpening concentration and focus.”
Vickie added: “The programme is designed to relax children and help boost mood though increasing self-esteem and self-confidence. Each session has a different theme e.g. the jungle, space and stars which allow creative working to produce outcomes to show that children feel engaged, relaxed and restored after each session.”
Emma Alcorn, teacher from Omagh County Primary School said: “Our primary four and five pupils look forward to ‘Relax Kids’ every Thursday. They are enjoying and benefiting from the techniques used and they are developing many new skills. As the programme promotes self-esteem, confidence, positive thinking, emotional literacy, imagination and creativity it links very well with our school ethos. It gives our children ‘tools for life’.”
Brendan Bonner, Head of Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement, Public Health Agency said: “Regular relaxation can help children manage stress and anxiety while improving their concentration, focus and listening skills. The ‘Relax Kids’ programme use relaxation techniques to help children recognise their strengths and manage their emotional journey through life.”
For more information on this programme contact Debbie Hunter, Health Improvement Officer for Infant Mental Health on: Tel: (028) 7186 5127 or email: Deborah.hunter@westerntrust.hscni.net