What is Prana?
Yoga has been tried out as an adjunct in education of children with mentally challenged, learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity syndromes.
Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices that originated in India more than three thousand years ago. Its purpose is to help each one of us achieve our highest potential and to experience enduring health and happiness. With yoga, we can extend our healthy, productive years far beyond the accepted norm and at the same time, improve the quality of our lives.
Hatha Yoga begins by working with the body on a structural level, helping to align the vertebrae, increase flexibility and strengthen the muscles and connective tissue. At the same time, internal organs are toned and rejuvenated; the epidermal, digestive, lymphatic, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems are purified of toxins and waste matter; the nervous and endocrine systems are balanced and toned; brain cells are nourished and stimulated. The end result is increased mental clarity, emotional stability and a greater sense of overall well being.
Yoga begins by accepting our limitations, whatever they may be and working with this self-acceptance as a base. In our daily practice, we gradually learn to transcend our limitations one by one and in this way, real and lasting progress is possible. Because yoga works on so many different levels, it has great potential as an effective therapy for chronic diseases and conditions that do not respond well to conventional treatment methods.
For this reason, children with Mentally Challenged, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities who practice yoga, often surprise their parents and teachers with their quick mastery of basic motor, communicative and cognitive skills. The same yoga routine can help children with learning disabilities develop greater concentration, balance and composure in their daily lives. Everyone gains some level of benefit. The only requirements are proper instruction and regular practice. Through yoga, we experience some of the following benefits: the relaxation and softening of deep inner tensions and blockages, a sense of body-mind equilibrium and a feeling of energetic buoyancy that can carry one right through the most difficult of days.
Yoga therapy is not about perfecting a pose; it's about connecting with a special child with love and acceptance. Many children with disabilities feel the pain of their parents and often feel responsible for it. All parents should participate and practice yoga with their child as often as possible to build the bond of acceptance and trust. Unlike other therapies that may use toys and special equipment to stimulate a child's development, yoga therapy uses breath, movement, postures and the child's voice to focus inwardly and develop concentration and entire body awareness. It's an opportunity to move a child into ease of being, opening the door of potential.
Yoga is a lifestyle of sculpting one's body, mind and spirit. When children trust, they believe in themselves and the possibilities are endless.
Persons with MR may be greatly helped by Nature cure and Yoga. The time taken to cure the child depends totally on the severity of challenge. Nevertheless the therapies gives the child mental peace and a comfortable life. These therapies cure better at early stages. Delayed identification may not be as effective as early intervention.
