| If a student is seeking Yoga instruction for an ailment - | | | | who mindfully give care. Initially, those who teach Yoga |
| where is she or he to go? Yoga instruction comes in | | | | to students with special needs, must have a deep |
| many varieties. Some schools focus on fitness, heat, | | | | sense of compassion. The next step to becoming a |
| children, moms, gentle classes, seniors, spiritual growth, | | | | care giver is specialized training. It is true that innovation |
| and the therapeutic application of Yoga. When you | | | | is useful, but it should be based upon strong |
| combine the differences, in emphasis between styles | | | | foundational training. |
| and teacher personalities, the possibilities are endless. | | | | Practical therapeutic applications of Yoga, anatomy, |
| Some schools have a mix of these objectives within | | | | physiology, and kinesiology are solid aspects of |
| the same classes. Therefore, not all Yoga teachers | | | | foundational training for teachers who desire to meet |
| are equal when a student is in need of special care. | | | | the needs of special students. This may require |
| For example: An adult student, with high blood | | | | additional specialized training on the part of Yoga |
| pressure, would be wise to avoid "extreme" | | | | teachers. |
| fitness-oriented Yoga classes. | | | | At times, there is too much focus on the body - when |
| Who are the "care givers" of Yoga? When | | | | we consider Yoga as a form of therapy. It should be |
| considering the definition of a care giver, we may think | | | | noted that meditation is an extremely valuable tool for |
| about a person who attends to the needs of students. | | | | calming and training the mind. Meditation is a good |
| Yet, this could also mean those who address the | | | | practice for stress relief. Meditation is also good for |
| special needs of the elderly or dependent adult Yoga | | | | finding solutions to problems without worrying. |
| students. There are care givers who specialize in the | | | | Chronic stress is often overwhelming, and it can cause |
| needs of children, as well. | | | | serious problems such as: ulcers, high blood pressure, |
| At this time, disabilities are still being classified and | | | | narrowing of the arteries, and elevated cholesterol |
| some care givers are specialists. For instance: Some | | | | levels. This is just a short list. The multitude of problems |
| care givers may specialize in helping people with | | | | chronic stress can cause is worthy of a book. We |
| Parkinson's disease, physical rehabilitation, and working | | | | cannot live without stress, but therapeutic forms of |
| with special children. | | | | Yoga can teach our students to manage it. |
| Where there is a disability, there is a need for those | | | | |