Asha practices her reverse table top pose during a game of yoga bingo with volunteer and physical therapy student Laura Dean.
“Think good things, say good things, and feel good things.”
This simple phrase is a mantra for participants and volunteers at the Exceptional Kids Yoga Project.
“We also close with namaste, which means ‘the light in me honors and sees the light in you,’” says yoga instructor Kristin Wilson. But, she adds, “‘think good things, say good things’ is so appropriate for the population we work with.”
The program, which offers free classes for children with developmental disabilities, promotes physical autonomy and emotional empowerment through the practice of yoga, already known for its calming effects. The local nonprofit was established in fall 2014 by Heather Hazelwood and Tora Frank.
Frank, mother to a daughter with Down syndrome, found a void when seeking activities that would enable her daughter to feel comfortable and confident, yet challenged. For 7-year-old Asha, curious and flexible, yoga seemed like a natural choice.
But there was no existing program for kids with developmental disabilities to practice yoga together in a group setting. Hazelwood connected with Wilson, a yoga instructor at Dragonfly Hot Yoga with 10 years of special education experience.
Wilson says her involvement with Exceptional Kids Yoga Project has allowed her to “blend the best of two passions” and use her special education background to tailor the poses and exercises to each individual child while still maintaining a cohesive flow throughout the class. The class is above all a safe space that fosters confidence and a sense of community.
“We try to offer lots of adaptations and visuals. We have volunteers model for the kids, hoping that each child successfully gets into the pose to the best of his or her ability,” says Wilson.
After running several pilot classes for kids 5 and older, followed by a four-week series, both parents and a growing team of volunteers saw the physical and mental progression of the kids attending class regularly. Even children participating for the first time experienced the sense of accomplishment the comes with getting into a pose, staying focused or meeting a new friend.
“It’s do-at-your-own-pace-and-level,” says Diane Wakely. Her 18-year-old son, Ben, a self-proclaimed fan of the boat pose, had previously practiced yoga at home with his father. “[Ben] has always liked moving, so we thought it would be good to strengthen some of his muscles,” says Wakely. “He seems to enjoy it, so we thought this might be a nice time to bring him back to it.”
One of the original purposes of the classes was to give parents and other caregivers a short respite, but some families sought a more active role. Now, there are classes for kids, teens, caregivers and families. The whole-family classes are especially valuable, Hazelwood says, because sibling activities can be difficult to coordinate when one or more children are developmentally disabled.
“The kids really get into it, and it’s fun to see [participants] interact across families,” Hazelwood adds.
A June 19 fundraiser for the yoga program raised more than $4,000; the goal is now to increase attendance, schedule more classes and continue offering services free of charge.
Exceptional Kids Yoga Project will hold its next Whole Family Yoga Class on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m. in its space at 726 Heartland Trail, Vanta Suite 180. Unlike for the group classes, drop-ins are allowed (though advance registration is appreciated) — and “family” can be loosely interpreted. Friends, neighbors and classmates are also welcome to participate.
“These kids are amazing,” says instructor Wilson. “If we can be a little bright light in their overwhelming week with school and therapy and doctor’s appointments, to ease a little anxiety, that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
For class schedule, volunteer policy and registration for all classes, see ekyp.org or call 608-807-0801.
