Learning outcome 6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global importance
I chose to commit to Yoga Therapy as my service because I have always felt passionate about learning to help people with intellectual disabilities. A big part of this has to do with ensuring that they do not feel left out or marginalised as a community and get to enjoy and live their lives as much as we are privileged to do so. I am also a big believer of the benefits of doing yoga, for our bodies as well as our hearts and minds. Since I was just a little girl, my grandma has taught me to love and embrace yoga for it comes with endless benefits. Throughout my childhood years, I have made great memories with my mum and grandma, doing yoga. I feel strongly that practicing yoga aids us to spiritually connect ourselves to nature in a manner that is healing and therapeutic. When I came to know that yoga is beneficial for people with Down Syndrome, I was curious to know how much of help I can offer. UWCSEA East’s partnership with the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore provides us with the opportunity to not only help someone to become physically healthier and internally happier, but also to build a special friendship.
I feel that empathy and emotion are some of my greatest strengths as it helps me connect better with other people. However, as this is my first time to work with intellectually disabled people, I fear that I might say the wrong thing or act the wrong way which could possibly give an untrue reflection of my intentions.
Before we meet our future friends, we did our best to make sure we can give them the most enjoyable and comfortable yoga sessions by discussing and planning our routines and strategies! 🙂
Here is our beginning yoga routine.
We practiced the routine ourselves and came up with ways to help them master the routine in order to get the maximum benefits. Our biggest concern was effective communications and thus we decided on small actions to help them understand us better. For instance, we decided it is best to gently touch their specific body parts such as ankles and shoulders to help them focus on that area during relaxation.
