Yoga classes for Special Needs

Yoga helps to deal with the frustration experienced when the body, mind or emotions do not function in

conjunction with one another. Awareness exists.

Just because damage exists in parts of the body or the brain, it does not mean that one does not know this.

The experience of not working as a cohesive whole is acknowledged, known. This affects the emotions,

the sense of self; of feeling whole and complete. To know that one is not quite able to function the same

as another person, one is aware of. This creates frustration, a sense of being different, lonliness.

Most times the person moves more inwards, depression can result; apathy. Yoga helps to counter act these

feelings, the frustration. Through the accurate, balanced, regular and continuous practice of yoga the physical

body, mind, emotions, energy and behavior can be brought into good health and balance.

Yoga practices for the physical body: the joints, muscles, bones, all the 11 anatomical systems

of the body can be regulated and brought into good health (or maintained).

For the mind: Mental functions and clarity can be enhanced. The mind can get calm and tranquil.

Mental tensions can be lessened.

The emotions too: these can be balanced - from either end of the spectrum - hyper or depression to equanimity.

For the nervous system and brain: Yoga practices affect the parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves;

gradually with sensible practice of yoga the nervous system comes into balance also affecting the central

nervous system and dormant areas of the brain. The practice of Swara yoga, the science of brain breathing

helps the functioning of the central nervous system, sympathetic & parasympathetic nerves & their

actions. The cerebral cortex too is stimulated.

When the brain relaxes, tensions can be removed, physical and mental. The personality too can be brought into

balance from accute extroversion or acute introversion.

For balancing energy: States of hyper or hypo energy can be brought into balance too,

which can regulate behavior & emotions - balance of body and mind.

Self esteem, self confidence are increased. Feelings of frustration with oneself, one's condition and state;

despair, apathy, no hope for the future can be reversed - acceptance and a positive outlook can occur.

Practices include poses (modifying these if and when required), breathing practices (pranayama),

practices for removing tensions, increasing relaxation, coordination, focus, awareness, concentration,

increasing equanimity of mind/body/emotions are taught.

Yoga practiced regularly as group classes at a set time, set day of the week, helps with group effort,

is encouraging, positive energy is infectious and pro-active.

Acute instances of those who were in wheel chairs drooling, totally unaware, oblivious, beyond despondency,

head flopped to one side, eyes sunken, staring vacantly or closed, who had the practices done to them by

care givers, started to take notice around the time of yoga class, they stirred a bit, tried to participate in

the class, heads came up a bit, expressionless eyes became lit and alive,

they tried to perform movements for themselves, even though they had forgotten how from lack of wanting to,

they tried to articulate words, only sounds coming out.

This is the out come from just 4 yoga classes to the most severe in the group.