Thirteen year-old Adam suffers from cerebral palsy and autism. Before he began yoga at London's Special Yoga Centre, his balance and posture were poor. Fifteen months later he is happier, stronger and making big strides with his walking.
Adam is not alone in his astonishing progress at the centre. Eight-year old Ronan has both Asperger's and dyspraxia.
He started yoga classes at a similar time to Adam and after taking a while to warm up to his new yoga routine, Ronan's strength, confidence and spatial awareness have improved in droves.
Ronan's mother says: "I have seen huge improvement since Ronan began yoga. He has begun to find strength and confidence within himself.
"For example he used to be very fearful of going upside down, but now enjoys cartwheels like any other young boy."
Many of the children who come to practice yoga at London's Special Yoga Centre have conditions such as Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, Attention Deficit Disorder, spina bifida and other physical and developmental difficulties.
Each child is assessed individually and a programme is created for them that develops as they develop. In some cases the child is encouraged to join group classes.
Jo Manuel, founder and director of the centre, is keen to stress that every child is special and has the potential to grown and develop through yoga.
"We are aiming to help children reach their potential, using the Special Child programme as a basis", she says,.
Origins of Yoga for the Special Child
The programme known as Yoga for the Special Child was devised by American born Sonia Sumar.
Sumar's interest in using yoga to help children with special needs grew after the birth of her second daughter, Roberta, who was had Down Syndrome.
Somar went on to study yoga around the world and to set up the Integral Yoga Centre in Brazil - now headed by her daughter, Renata - and write her seminal book, Yoga for the Special Child.
Manuel, an experienced yoga practioner even then, first read about the life and work of Somar seven years ago.
She says: "I knew immediately it was my path. I read the book and got on a plane to The States straight away. I just knew it was my calling."
Manuel has now completed all four levels of Yoga for the Special Child training and her West London yoga centre - which also runs a wide range of general yoga classes and workshops - is the first in the UK to teach the basic course to aspiring teachers.
Children are taught either at the centre itself or at their own school; Manuel and her fellow trained teachers now work with 15 local schools in boroughs that include Brent, Camden and Westminster.
Not every school is keen to embrace the programme, she admits, though those that are interested are "very receptive". Much depends on the head teacher - his or her own outlook and the funds available.
The receptivity of councils also varies but support is growing; the Special Yoga Centre has just been awarded a grant to extend its programme in Brent schools.
The ages of the children taught vary widely, from two to teens and parents are encouraged to participate as much as they want to and as is appropriate.
"Sometimes parents want to take a break; sometimes you need to reach them through their child", says Manuel.
The approach
In contrast to many lighter systems of yoga that work with children, Yoga for the Special Child is heavily rooted in the hatha yoga tradition and its core tenets of asana (postures) and pranayama (breath).
The yoga is divided into five sections: asanas, pranayama, cleansing practices, music and sound therapy and deep relaxation. The postures are simply adapted for the younger body, as well as for the individual child.
While asanas help to tone specific muscle groups and strengthen the body, the focus on breathing helps children remove emotional blocks and negative habit patterns as well as revitalise the nervous system.
Meanwhile, music and sound therapy use rhythm and melody to develp concentration, breath co-ordination, communication and motor skills.
Manuel is careful not to tout the programme as a miracle cure. "If a child is meant to walk or crawl, yoga will help this happen", she says. "The yoga facilitates progress."
To date, there is little scientific backing behind the Yoga for the Special Child programme.
Children's progress is often incremental and tricky to substantiate - typical improvements include better concentration and co-ordination, and sounder sleep.
Manuel says the UK lags behind the USA and India in its research - almost certainly, the programme will need the backing of hard science if its work is destined to reach hundreds more special needs children.
For the time being, however, the parents and youngsters who continue to benefit from the Yoga for the Special Child programme are content to rely on the truth of their own direct experience, and on a growing word-of-mouth following.
www.specialyoga.com
www.specialyoga.org.uk
