Practising Yoga Everyday.

“Practicing Yoga helps the integrated development of body as well as the mind.” says Yoga masters.

I took Abishek to Yoga master at Trivandrum , which is my native place. He taught Abhi around 15 Asanas to be practiced regularly. These asanas improves the suppleness of the muscles, joints etc and strengthens the spinal column in due course of time. The type of asanas reduces the stiffness in the joints especially shoulders, ankles, fingers etc.

It was advised to practice Yoga in the early morning or after sunset. We start with few minutes of deep breathing and follow with the asanas. It takes around 30-45 min every day. Some of the asanas like Makarasana, kids will enjoy doing themselves, while some others which requires more strain needs an adult help.

Bhujangasana
Artha Meru Dandasana
Yoga mudra
Padahasthasana
Pavanamukthasana
Rajjukharshanasana
Arthasalabhasana
Sasangasana
Garudasana
Makarasana
Artha Matsyendrasana
Arthakadi Chakrasana
Uthkalasana
Dhanurasana
Dola asana
Naukasana
Patmaasana
Shavasana

I also learnt yoga for my problems of wheezing and ligament problem in my knee. The effect is very good.
Yoga has to be learnt from a Guru or Master. Self learning is generally not advised.
There are websites which give information and other details on asanas.

http://www.yogasite.com/postures.html
http://www.bikrammissoula.com/postures.html
http://www.sivananda.org/

There is good book “Yoga Education for Children” by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, which explains many aspects of practicing Yoga, the postures for children.

How much should I do ?

Many times I have wondered how much should I work out with Abhi, so that I can make him better and reduce his difficulties. I have shared similar feelings with other mothers who have children with special needs. We want to give our children the best possible to make them near normal child. But in the run, the child should not be get stressed out or exhausted.

When I take my son out to park, social functions, gatherings etc, advises pour in abundance.
"I did that to my son, he got cured completely, now he is..."
"Do oil massage every day for 1 hour..."
"Send him for this and there will be difference in 15 days " and so on.

When I hear all these initially I used to get perplexed or feel guilty. Am I not doing enough for abhi. If I do that also, will it be beneficial.? But I found that I cannot do (or make him do) all these apart from his daily routines, reading/writing, school work etc etc. Worrying will only make me down and I feel dejected and irritated.

I slowly started to look in a different perspective. We are the best judge. I began to see from abhi's angle also. If he is comfortable or if he enjoys, we do that more - like cycling, paper cutting, working with clay and beads etc. Somethings I have to remind him often that it is good for him - like Physio therapy, Yoga etc.

More about Yoga, exercises and other activities in later posts...