Co-curricular

Any art form offered at the school serves as a tool to cultivate the child's natural talent. The rich and varied options at Isha Home School expose students to diverse cultural arts and are not designed to train students at a professional level.

Art

Art classes offer students the opportunity to experiment with diverse materials, acquire technical skills, and expand their aesthetic sensibilities. From an early age, students hone their observation skills and develop their ability to interpret and re-create the world around them. They are introduced to various forms, genres, media, and styles, including disappearing folk and tribal art from different regions of India, and exposure to the works of international artists. At the ICSE and ISC levels, students have the option to specialize in art. Additionally, art workshops are scheduled with accomplished artists for interested and committed Middle and Senior students.

Music

Music education includes general music classes at both the Junior and Middle School levels, with a focus on setting a firm foundation in simple tunefulness and basic rhythm. Students are exposed to various genres in both Indian and Western styles of music. Additionally, in Junior School, students go through a basic introduction to Carnatic and Hindustani classical music.

Beginning in Middle School, students who demonstrate a particular talent, dedication, passion, and commitment to classical music are considered for specialized, focused instruction. Their continued participation is based on their ability to sustain commitment and show measurable progress. Specialization options include Hindustani vocal, Carnatic vocal, guitar, piano, tabla, mridangam, and percussion, subject to the availability of resources.

Drama

Weekly drama classes are offered at both the Junior and Middle School levels. These classes provide a range of processes and activities to enhance students' skills in all aspects of drama, even if they do not culminate in a performance. Additionally, Theater Clubs are available for Middle School and Senior School students, with a primary focus on the art of theater and opportunities for performance.

Physical Education 

Students adhere to a daily routine that includes morning fitness sessions and evening sports activities. General physical education classes are scheduled for Junior and Middle school students. Senior School students and select Middle School students have the option of specializing in a specific sport. The available sports for specialization include athletics, kho kho, football, volleyball, tennis, badminton, table tennis, swimming, and cricket.

Yoga

Yoga is an integral part of the daily schedule. Students are taught Yoga by qualified instructors from the Isha Hatha Yoga School. Children below 8 years of age are taught Nada Yoga, or the Yoga of sound. Students between 8 and 14 years of age are taught Isha Hatha Yoga for Children. Senior School students are additionally taught the practices of Angamardana and Surya Shakti, which are incorporated into their schedule. Those above 14 years of age are initiated into Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya.

Angamardana is a 30-minute fitness system rooted in Yoga that utilizes the momentum of the body to exercise every major muscle. Surya Shakti is an active form of the Sun Salutation, an ancient Yogic practice involving a powerful sequence of 18 postures. Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya is an integrative system of breathing and meditative techniques.

Interested Senior School students may opt for further training in Yoga, including Upa-Yoga, Yogasanas, and Surya Kriya. 

Bharatanatyam & Kalaripayattu

Bharatanatyam is a classical dance originating from southern India. Kalaripayattu, an ancient Indian martial art form, is a codified system of practices used for a variety of reasons. It imparts attack and defense techniques and weapons training. Students are introduced to and trained in accordance with tradition, progressing through various stages depending on their physical competence.

Junior School students are exposed to both Kalaripayattu and Bharatanatyam on a rotational basis. Middle School students, specifically those in class 5, are required to enroll in either Kalaripayattu or Bharatanatyam. Senior School students may opt for either Bharatanatyam or Kalaripayattu as their morning physical discipline, replacing the general fitness program.

As a part of their educational program, students share in community responsibilities and participate in environmental and ecological programs within the school, in the surrounding community, and as part of larger initiatives of Isha. They are encouraged to do seva, loosely translated as voluntary activities and selfless service.

Assembly

Assemblies serve as a common meeting point for members of the school. They commence with an invocation, followed by the rendition of sarali varisai/sargam and the main presentation, and end with a few moments of stillness and silence. The main presentation can take many forms, including guest lectures, quizzes, debates, and performances. World renowned experts in various fields frequently visit Isha Home School and share their expertise and unique insights with the children during assemblies.

Clubs / Talent Exploration Day

Middle School Students may opt to enroll in a club. Club options vary depending upon the ever-evolving talents and interests of the students and faculty. Senior students enroll in what we refer to as Talent Exploration Day (TED), a weekly program where students are given time to independently pursue an area of passion. Over the course of the term, students are able to spend about 40 hours of time on their topic of interest under the guidance of a facilitator/mentor. Students are free to choose from what is on offer, or may submit a proposal to pursue a completely novel topic/area of interest.

Below is a sample list of some of the clubs and TEDs that have been previously offered in Middle and Senior Schools:

• Photography

• Filmmaking

• Movie Appreciation

• Art Studio

• Cooking

• Chess

• Theater

• Aeromodelling

• Video Game Development

• Machine Learning

• Contemporary Dance

• Scrapbook

• Student Publications

Educational Trips

Students are taken on service-learning, cultural immersion, and leisure trips every year to further enhance their personal growth and development. The school's “Discover India” program includes immersive trips designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of India and the world around them. Through these trips, students gain insight into natural, architectural, and cultural heritage, as well as social issues, through first-hand interactions with individuals and organizations in various regions and communities.

Stargazing

There is more to be seen and done after the sun sets. On clear full moon and new moon nights, students and teachers come together for stargazing sessions, accompanied by storytelling and musical performances.