|
Benefits of Yoga May Extend to
Children with Special Needs
By: Rona Marech
"Riley Jackson and Shane Perlow, both 7 and
ordinarily full of energy, were lying on their backs and taking deep yoga
breaths while little plastic frogs on their bellies steadily rose and fell.
Soon, they were wobbling and grinning through "tree pose" and hissing
enthusiastically for "cat pose." Riley, who has missing front teeth, gaily sang
"London Bridge is Falling Down" as he wiggled into bridge posture.
Yoga is a part of the occupational therapy the boys do at Hands On Therapy in
Pikesville, Md., where Riley is being treated for a sensory disorder and Shane
gets help for handwriting problems and some related spatial issues. As the
half-hour yoga session wrapped up, Shane, a sweetly polite kid with wavy brown
hair, declared that he felt good. "I feel more quieter," he said. "More calmed
down."
Giggling and croaking like frogs may not be precisely what ancient Hindu
practitioners had in mind, but as yoga continues to boom in popularity in the
West, a new sort of follower is scurrying onto mats and into downward-facing dog
position: a child with disabilities.
A growing number of kids with attention, anxiety and learning disorders, as well
as diseases such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and multiple
sclerosis, are embracing yoga. Their parents are reporting physical, mental and
emotional benefits."
Continue Article
|
