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Yoga was founded in India, in the 15th century by Yogi Swatmarama. It is a combination of mental and physical exercises, which consists of pranayama (breathing exercises) and asanas ( poses). The Yoga for the Special Child founder, Sonia Sumar incorporates Hatha yoga into her progam. This form of yoga works to strengthen muscles and flexibility, mental concentration and awareness plus many other health benefits.
The Yoga for the Special child has helped children suffering from Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Autism and other ailments. By practicing yoga, children with Cerebral Palsy can reduce their high tone muscles. The asanas will allow the child to stretch their muscles and relieve the tightness to allow full range of the particular muscle. In reverse, by relaxing the body children suffering from low tone will receive resistance to give them benefit as well. The best benefit is the spine stretching poses because it forces them to stretch in all directions, giving them the chance to realign their spine.
Children with Down Syndrome can benefit from the poses because it teaches them to stretch and tone their body. They can reap the rewards internally as well. Certain asanas can help with balancing and waking up the endocrine glands, which regulates weight. Pranayama, breathing exercises, can work on a child’s memory, concentration and make them more aware of their own body.
Yoga can benefit children diagnosed with Microcephaly (small head size) by stimulating blood flow. Breathing exercises can help increase oxygen to the brain for cell repair and improve the immune system.
Children with ADHD can also benefit due to the nostril breathing exercises can sooth and bring balance to the right and left side of the brain. It also works to relax and strengthen the nervous system simultaneously.
Autism is another disorder, which breathing and poses can help lessen the child’s symptoms. For treating Autististic children, the therapist must be able to bind with the child before treatment can begin. After which they will progress from basic to complex poses to increase relaxation. Ultimately, the child will gain confidence, motor and social skills.
The western world has realized what the Eastern part of the world has known for thousands of years, the benefits of practicing yoga. It is has been used as a therapy for chronic health problems and ailments that had not responded to conventional treatment plans. Therapists have used yoga to help many children with developmental delays and disabilities and physical limitations to improve their quality of life.
For more info: Contact Yoga for the Special Child, Baltimore, MD-Area Therapist: Sue Hardy sue.yoga@hotmail.com Virgina Area: Arlington- Shaye Moore: heartsforhands@msn.com; Great Falls- Krista Zember Be Yoga~ Yoga with Krista; Manassas- Trish Londres- trish_londres@yahoo.com
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