In a typical session, when he arrives Jerry is placed on his back for passive stretches. Jerry’s caregiver, Wendy, and I talk, touch, pull and push him, mainly encouraging him with praise and soft music playing. Whenever he jumps up, that action is respected and is used to create another pose. It could then be to sit on a chair and lean forward, with Jerry stretching out his legs and me lifting them. I follow his lead, rotating each knee on the chair and then extending him forward and down slowly to open the hips, groin and the psoas.

Jerry now lies flat on his stomach. I slowly lift one leg, then the other, followed by both at the same time. The locust pose for strengthening his back and his digestive system creates a slight beneficial pressure on the lower abdomen.
For balancing/countering this, Jerry is rolled onto his back, hips lifted up and supported by a bolster under them. These inversions are excellent for him, relieving pressure, reversing circulation, and they are fun for him, too.

I then pull Jerry up into the half-shoulder stand and he smiles. The cat pose on hands and knees where he is straddling a bolster alleviates cries and groans–Jerry will rock forward and backward many times all on his own, organically and naturally. Having the cushioning and support of the bolster seems to be very effective.

The classic child pose for Jerry is a blessing. He straddles the large bolster, sits back onto his heels, and rests his upper body onto the bolster. Turning his head to the side, he relaxes here for a long time. I place both hands on his back. There is always contact and soothing talk, and Jerry feels the caring connection. Here we are free from the time constraints of studio classes. I can indulge Jerry in whichever pose he likes at the moment and for however long he wishes.

Jerry curls up on his side often, which is a lead-in to a lying down twist. Whatever he begins, I watch and follow. We also do seated twists, as partners. Then Jerry will jump up and head for the door, ready to go. Sometimes he heads to the kitchen where he knows there is water, and he’ll drink a large glassful. His attendants are fine people and work with me devotedly, learning all the time how to create the poses and adapting them for their benefit as well. Yoga is burn out prevention for caregivers.

The adaptive YogAbility exercises continue to help Jerry. They assist with his flexibility as well as his digestion, relieving air bubbles from his stomach and decreasing tension. Jerry’s mother, a psychotherapist, thinks that the sensory motor aspect of yoga has shown to be helpful to children with autism, but it is also “just another positive activity to fill a child’s day.”

I, the community support companion of Jerry, have also benefited from yoga throughout the past year. I’ve learned to slow down and incorporate yoga at least three times a week myself.

YogAbility is proof that all people, from infants to seniors, no matter what their condition, have the ability to move and enjoy their bodies beyond the limitations of their so-called disabilities.

http://www.specialneeds.com/children-and-parents/general-special-needs/yogability-people-disabilities

The invisible spiritual benefits of adaptive Yoga Therapy for those with  Special Needs including caregivers.

I care about describing  to students  how as a senior who has rehabilitated from serious injuries I was able to restore my body and spirit utilizing the years of recovery experiences with research, becoming ambulatory again and then deciding to be trained to teach and serve others.

Demystifying Yoga to those who will benefit through simple, clear demonstration, emphasizing safety, comfort and faith with poses that soothe, empower and delight.

The ease with which I as a elder am able to introduce Yoga opens the doors of awareness to those who fear attempting this weird 20/30 year old assumed standing on your head exercise program. One on one sessions given to children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or autism where I include the parents and/or caregivers validates how when co-creating a sanctuary, a peaceful space healing happens.

Suggested movements and affirming words for caregivers that are present prove how caring for oneself helps those who care for others, uniting families and helpers. Wheelchair bound individuals with ALS, Cerebral palsy, paralysis, Alzheimer’s or simply aging receive yoga’s therapeutic benefits through breathing exercises, using the chairs, walls and tables as props to support and offer security.

Selected words, music and sounds enliven static elders; calm a frantic teen and/or rambunctious children. Moving to rhythms, listening to old time favorite songs restore and bring delight to the partially sighted and those with dementia. Silence is often a favorite.

The method that is offered enables those with fear, pain and ignorance to experience what Yoga Therapy is. Tools, clues and tips are part of a customized instruction manual and gives light to the issues, diseases, and injuries showing what is manageable.

All bodies have special needs that ask to be acknowledged and respected. From the strongest and able to the ones seemingly weak and suffering.

My mission with YogAbility is to show how all are able for advancement when accepted, acknowledged and guided with responsible professional teaching and lovingkindness.

Remember  the feeling as a child, when the recess bell rang  and released you out  onto the playground to run, jump, swing and do whatever your little  heart and body desired? Yoga offers this kind of  “play break.”  In our busy, stressful lives, yoga practice can be a precious opportunity to be present in our bodies–stretching out the kinks, breathing deeply and having fun.  This is why I avoid using the word “work” in my yoga classes.  Instead of asking students to “work at the postures,” I encourage them to “play with the poses.”   For those steeped in the Western mindset–where there is a belief that the harder you work, the better the results–this can be a challenging attitude adjustment.    But in yoga, we recognize that working hard may actually create more tension and take you farther away from where you want to be. So, rather than “muscling into” a pose, which can lead to injury, we learn that relaxing into a pose can take us deeper.  Yoga teaches us to become keenly aware of how the pose feels, take the movement to a point of challenge but not strain, and allow the breath to invite the posture to unfold.  In other words, we typically progress in yoga not by working harder, but by working softer–relaxing, releasing, and letting go; or better yet, by not working at the pose at all, but by playing with it.        As legendary yoga master Vanda Scaravelli wrote in her extraordinary book Awakening the Spine, “Why are we doing yoga?  We do it for the fun of it.  To twist, stretch, and move around is pleasant and enjoyable, a body holiday.”        So forget about working out, and vow to take time every day to go out (or in) and play

In joy,   Carol Krucoff, E-RYT http://www.healingmoves.com

Chase Bosart

Healing Yoga Foundation

3620 Buchanan St.

San Francisco, CA 94123

415-931-9642

www.healingyoga.org

Bo wrote the following article for the Human Kindness Foundation newsletter at Christmas-time, 1989. It was then included in his 1990 book Just Another Spiritual Book .

Since then, the essay has been widely circulated, though almost always uncredited. Radio commentator Paul Harvey included the piece in his radio program on two occasions, apparently receiving a deluge of calls, mail, and faxes (we hope mostly positive). Now this piece can be found at numerous websites, often edited, and usually listed as, “author unknown.” The following is the original letter.

From: GOD

To: My Children on Earth

re: Idiotic religious rivalries

My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),

I consider myself a pretty patient Guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And how about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell and gene by gene. I’ve even been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again.

But on this occasion of My Son’s birthday, I want to let you know about some things that are starting to tick me off.

First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight: These are your religions, not Mine. I’m the Whole Enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of Me (which, by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s My favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bibles are man-made. Oh, Me. How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now: I’m your Father and Mother, and I don’t play favorites among My Children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So all your books, including the bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living Heart.

You see, one Human Being to me — even a Bum on the street — is worth more than all the holy books in the world. That’s just the kind of Guy I Am. My Spirit is not an historical thing, It’s alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.

Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of You. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Me.

Which brings Me to My next point about your nonsense: You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for Me or “win souls” for My Sake. Please, don’t do Me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend Me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.

And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging My name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…

The thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Me. The true purpose of your religions is so that you can become more aware of Me, not the other way around. Believe Me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Me. That’s what religion is best for.

What you seem to forget is how mysterious I Am. You look at the petty little differences in your scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the Truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out My Paradoxes and Unfathomable Nature — which, by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in every religion?

You know what I’m talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I Am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear My Still, Small Voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My Own Child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die will surely die, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but he stole it from Meher Baba in the first place.)

Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother, or even The Void or Nirvana? Do you think I care which of My Special Children you feel closest to — Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Me and My Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about My business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

I’m not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your heart; I don’t mind that at all. And I don’t want you to combine all the Great Traditions into One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

But My Special Children — the ones your religions revolve around — all live in the same place (My Heart) and they get along perfectly, I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

My Blessed Children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotry and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help Me celebrate the birthday of My Son Jesus, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. I’ve given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving, and laughing together.

Finally, My Children everywhere, remember whose birth is honored on December 25th, and the fearlessness with which He chose to live and die. As I love Him, so do I love each one of you. I’m not really ticked off, I just wanted to grab your attention because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you Free Will, so what can I do now other than to try to influence you through reason, persuasion, and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation? After all, I Am the original Jewish Mother. I just want you to be happy, and I’ll sit in The Dark. I really Am, indeed, I swear, with you always. Always. Trust In Me.

Your One and Only,                         GOD

*    When you know someone who is injured and can’t participate in yoga class

*    For yoga students who are recovering from illness or injuries

*    When yoga students are no longer able to keep up in class

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It is heartbreaking when devoted yoga students are injured or disabled and can no longer participate in class.  The longer the recuperation period, the more likely the student never returns to yoga.

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YogAbility can assist.  Master-teacher, E RYT 500 Bea Ammidown, has developed YogAbility to provide the benefits of yoga to people

who are not able to participate in a  level 1/2 regular yoga class.  Bea works with individuals to show them how to position themselves to avoid further injury.  Her techniques are also developed to help injuries and surgeries heal.

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What YogAbility clients have to say:

I have experienced first hand the lovingly healing properties of your special work…. the practice of YogAbility, enables me with severe fibromyalgia to move with more ease, less tension, and more grace. YogAbility is a gentle and deeply effective practice…

———Crisalis, Marketing Specialist

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I like the gentle approach you take to the process of teaching, which seems to make it accessible to everyone regardless of their previous level of experience…. I like the fact that you offer accommodations for those who need the pose to be easier or more challenging.

———Samantha, Westside Regional Center, Program Manager

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The adaptive YogAbility exercises continue to help Andrew; an 18 year old with severe autism and gastro-intestinal issues… flexibility as well as digestion…and decreased tension. I, the community support companion of Andrew, have also benefited from Yoga throughout the past year. I’ve learned to slow down and incorporate Yoga at least 3 times a week…

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———Wendy, Institute for Applied Behavior and Analysis

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Attending YogAbility classes helps students maintain their weekly discipline and provides benefit from Yoga relaxation.  Students learn how to protect from further injury, how to move without injury, and how to strengthen injured bodies.

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For individuals who need additional help, Bea can schedule one-one sessions as long as needed, until the student can return to the group YogAbility class, and then back to your class.

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Aubrey is one of YogAbility’s prize students. From cerebral palsy, she has limited physical abilities.

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Bea Ammidown’s many years of experience teaching Yoga to the disabled, along with her naturally compassionate teaching style, instills confidence and trust as she modifies safe poses to suit the individual, (for example, she supports Aubrey’s back during inversions like the shoulder stand). Such is Aubrey’s enjoyment of these classes, that she is now motivated to practice poses at home as well keep a yoga journal of her thoughts…. Aubrey is now able to experience movement and relaxation she has rarely experienced before because of her disability, and for this we thank Bea and The YogAbility Institute!

———–Claudette, Aubrey’s mother & caregiver

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Certification and Continuing Education  Classes – Coming Soon

For yoga instructors who want to learn how to work with injured, ill, and disabled students, Bea is now developing a series of programs to teach instructors how to evaluate the injured or disabled student, how to design specific yoga practices for these students, and how to work with these students one-one.

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A non-profit corporation, 501 (C) (3) Federal Tax ID# 95-3952934

HumoRX dba The YogAbility Institute. Executive director/founder, Bea Ammidown