Yoga for Young Ones

 

 

Kimberly Minardi, Occupational Therapist (MOTR/L), is certified in Yoga for the Special Child ™ and offers yoga therapy sessions for children with special needs in Morgantown, WV.  Typically developed children are also welcome to sign up.  Sessions are individual/private.  Call (304) 276-3262 or E-mail Yoga@TribalBellyDance.net .  Because this is a therapeutic approach, there are no group classes for children with special needs at this time.  Once enough children have grown in their yoga skills to be able to participate in a group class, I will form one. 

 

We are collecting information from interested parties to form group classes for typical children at the Earth Movement Studio. $5/child ages 5 and up.  Call (304) 276-3262 or email Yoga@TribalBellyDance.net

 

New Adult Yoga classes with Greg Michael begin May 9th and 11th.  These classes are drop-in, so join any time.  Price $10/class or talk to Greg about a package deal.  Tuesdays 8:30-9:30pm and Thursdays 4:45-5:45 Greg will teach Beginner's Power Yoga.  This high energy class will teach you the basics, so do not worry about having experience. 
 
You'll warm up and balance, continuing to build intensity and heat into a healthy rush, then bring it back down, mellowing into a fully aware relaxation.  Get your metabolism up and turn fat into muscle using this advanced work out system.  Almost all other workouts put wear and tear on the joints and connective tissue while Power Yoga actually strengthens these areas while giving you an exciting whole body workout. 
 
For questions about yoga and the classes, call Greg at 304-216-9119. 

 

 

 

Used for thousands of years as a method for improving and maintaining over-all health, yoga can help children to:

 

  •   Increase range of motion

  •   Improve muscle strength

  •   Develop balance and coordination

  •   Improve body awareness

  •   Increase endurance

  •   Learn proper breathing techniques

  •   Build self-esteem and confidence

  •   Improve concentration, focus, and attention

  •  Cultivate a relaxed, peaceful state of body and mind

  •  Acquire personal tools for stress management

  •  Promote self-discipline

  •  Understand anatomy and health

  •  Foster language development

  •  Encourage social interaction

  •  Explore self-reflection

  •  Integrate and process sensory information

 

Izabela Koscielny, PT, Certified Personal Trainer, wrote an article on Yoga for the Special Child TM for Cerebral Palsy Magazine (June 2003 issue).  She notes the following benefits:

 

"Yoga works on many different levels.  Through regular practice you will notice mental, physical, and psychological changes.

Yoga doesn't require any special equipment.

Yoga concentrates on breathing, the vital life force.  Through the inhalation of breath more oxygen is delivered to all the organs and brain.  Yoga incorporates breathing with movement (asana) improving concentration, mental clarity, memory, and restores emotional balance.  It brings a sense of physical and emotional well being.

Yoga improves flexibility of all joints.  It strengthens and tones muscles, ligaments and tendons.  It helps to develop motor coordination and balance.  Tremendous benefits are noted regarding the nervous system providing stimulation and activation of brain cells.

Yoga restores mobility.  When practiced regularly it helps to correct postural deformities.

Yoga improves the quality of life.  It brings happiness and awareness to every moment of your life.

Yoga is gentle and safe.  Anybody can practice Yoga.  It brings tremendous benefits to children with special needs, as well as their parents and caregivers."

 

 

In addition to providing these benefits to the typically developed child, yoga treatment can help children with the following diagnoses:

 

  • Sensory integration disorder or sensory processing dysfunction

  •  Premature birth

  •  ADD/ADHD

  •  Down’s Syndrome

  •  Cerebral Palsy

  •  Orthopedic conditions

  •  Cardiac conditions

  •  Microcephaly

  •  Hydrocephaly

  •  Learning Disabilities

  • And More …

 

To Contact Ms. Minardi for more information:

 

Kimberly Minardi

(304) 276-DANC

Yoga@TribalBellyDance.net