Wheelchair Yoga
Yoga is a form of ancient Indian meditation that has dramatically risen in popularity in North America within the past decade. There are many different forms of yoga and they usually incorporate breathing techniques with gentle body contortion, through stretching and specific postures. It's commonly known that there is a style of yoga appropriate for everyone. This includes individuals in wheelchairs. In fact, there are entire sessions (available in selected studios) designed specifically for wheelchair users with the attitude that physical limitations can't restrict the beauty of your inner self.
There are many physical, mental and spiritual benefits to the art of yoga. Learn how to go to a place through quiet reflection where you will no longer feel the stiffness that you otherwise feel on a regular basis. Positive effects include increased strength, decreased levels of stress and anxiety, more restful sleeps and a stronger sense of well being. Movement and postures are carefully selected during wheelchair yoga that should be comfortable and easily attainable for the individual. Yoga can sometimes be treated as supplementary physical therapy to someone with a disability, helping the patient to greater understand and respond to his or her own body.
Yoga philosophy says that an individual with a disability has been chosen to live a life of learning, growing, changing and who is destined to educate those around them. It's a lesson of unconditional love and discovering purpose in life. Wheelchair yoga is designed to involve care givers, if necessary, and often takes place in comfortable group rooms where all can have fun and relax. Depending on the needs of the wheelchair occupant, yoga can be practiced in many different positions - such as sitting in a chair, standing or lying on the floor. Even if the individual has limited movement ability, the spiritual side to yoga will take over and have a fulfilling outcome of full awareness and peace of mind.
Check online for a yoga studio or perhaps private lessons available in your area. A typical session may cost $20 and go up to $50 for full-day workshops.
