Yoga for the disabled

by Matthew Archer, highlights, News, March 2009

The 2008-2009 school year marked the beginning of the first yoga class not only at our school, but also within the county. The yoga instructor, Dr. Melanie Mitchell, who is also a biology teacher, has brought to our school her yoga skills, which she has been teaching for the past 8 years at her own yoga studio. Her experience in physical fitness from her minor in physical education and her inspiration from her previous disabled students have prompted her to start a program where her students would develop techniques for the disabled so yoga could become more versatile.

“I remember when I was in middle and high school and the physically disabled children were excluded from any physical activities. But now, we’re working towards caring more for the disabled,” said Dr. Mitchell when commenting on yoga for the disabled.

One of the main inspirations for the program was one of Dr. Mitchell’s former students at her yoga studio who was diagnosed with MS, multiple sclerosis. Her perseverance and determination helped show that anyone, disabled or not, can be successful in  yoga.

For the past two weeks, the yoga class has been working on techniques for the physically disabled, from those missing limbs to paraplegics, so that many others like that former student are able to participate in yoga. They put all of their effort into this project.

“It was very tedious, and took a lot of work,” said senior Michelle Vargas.

This work has been beneficial for not only disabled students, but for students as well. Many students feel that not only did they make yoga more accommodating, but they have realized that they are blessed to be able-bodied.

“I realized that I am very fortunate to be able bodied, since disabled people aren’t usually allowed to participate in physical activities,” said senior, Victoria Campdesuner.

Although many wish that they could utilize these techniques in the yoga class, they cannot be practiced due to legal issues and district rules. However, Dr. Mitchell hopes to use the techniques outside the classroom. By utilizing these techniques in he own studio she can make the once exclusive yoga more accommodating.

Furthermore, Dr. Mitchell stresses that although they cannot be accommodating for the physically disabled children in school, yoga helps those who are emotionally handicapped. The attention that one must pay and the relaxation one feels when one concentrates on their body while doing yoga is beneficial for the emotionally handicapped, for it helps focus their attention from what makes them feel the way they do.

“Although I cannot name names, I’ve had emotionally handicapped students referred to yoga to help them with their disability,” said Dr. Mitchell.