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Special Yoga Centre PDF Print E-mail

Set amidst the hustle and bustle of Brent, is an oasis of calm, tranquility and peace. The Special Yoga Centre serves people from all walks of life. 

Jo Manuel
Jo Manuel, Centre Director
"Every child is special, and no label can define or limit their potential for positive change. In this work we are looking to unlock the potential of the children regardless of his or her age or ability."
Exquisitely and thoughtfully decorated, the centre has spacious halls and is well-equipped. It offers a classes and instruction on a variety of yoga traditions and holistic therapies and practices. These include: astanga, hatha, dynamic, yoga for pre and post natal, family yoga, yoga for mums and babies and toddlers, tai chi, pilates and healthy foods and cooking. There is something in the centre for everyone. In addition, the centre also conducts yoga teacher training workshops.

The classes are conducted by a talented, skilled and caring team of trainers.

The centre is the brainchild of Jo Manuel. Whilst a teenager, Jo was captivated by the Bhagwad Gita. She intuitively thought of setting up a yoga centre about 30 years ago. Fifteen years later, her dream became a reality.

The centre, as its title implies, specialises in teaching yoga to children with special needs.

Yoga for the Special Child was developed by Sonia Sumar, based in the USA, designed to enhance the natural development of children with specific requirements. Jo trained extensively under Sonia Sumar.

Says Jo: "Offering yoga therapy to children with special needs is one of the biggest gifts of my life. We work with infants and children with a variety of conditions including Down's Syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, ADD (attention deficit disorder), ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), spina bifida, dyspraxia, and other physical and developmental difficulties."

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Commenting on the programme, Jo says: "Every child is special, and no label can define or limit their potential for positive change. In this work we are looking to unlock the potential of the children regardless of his or her age or ability. We use a step by step integrated system of yoga poses that are designed to improve cognitive and motor skills, specialized breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to improve concentration and reduce hyperactivity."

The Centre aims to aid the development of well balanced and happy children, and to support families through a rounded yoga practice.

Many parents with children with special needs, have given testimonails of how the centre has helped. Flynn, a two-year-old, suffering from cerebral palsy, began yoga classes two years ago. According to Flynn's mother: "Flynn has leant to understand and become aware of his body. He enjoys every second of his time there, and has gone from strength to strength."

Amar is 12 years old and suffers from Asperger's, ADHD and oppositional behaviour. He started visited the centre in December 2006. His mother says: "Yoga has helped him to stay calmer and more be more emotionally stable....The centre have been very helpful in enabling me to see my son is a more positive light."

Through the support of the Brent Council, the centre is undertaking an outreach program using a number of these trained teachers to introduce and undertake yoga classes in Brent schools.

The centre's special team of yoga teachers is working in over twelve schools in the North West London area as part of the Government's Behaviour Improvement Programme in Schools (BIPS).

Says Jo: "It is our hope that The Centre will act as an outreach programme so that infants and children with specific requirements across the country both privately and within schools and centres can benefit from the gift of yoga."

At the beginning, it was difficult to make ends meet. But now, with a variety of yoga classes, increasing awareness about the place and a growing clientele, the centre is beaking even.

The centre is keen to extend the work of the special needs program. These children and many others cannot afford much for their weekly sessions. Most of the sessions are provided on a subsidised rate. The centre welcomes donations and support from businesses, who can sponsor and help families to contiue yoga therapy for children.

For more information classes and contact information , go to: www.specialyoga.org.uk

by Don de Silva

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