Health Law

Yoga Helps Children with Cerebral Palsy

Yoga has become extremely popular in recent years, in part because of the large number of celebrities who promote the practice. Though yoga is primarily practiced by adults, children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities may also benefit from practicing yoga.

Several Ways Yoga Helps

Yoga is an ancient physical and mental tradition that originated in India. The practice of yoga involves the use of various asanas (postures) and breathing techniques to facilitate relaxation and meditation. In children with cerebral palsy, yoga provides a couple of significant benefits:

• Improves muscle tone – particularly in children with spastic cerebral palsy, which is characterized by high muscle tone. Holding certain postures stretches muscles and tendons, helping to relieve overall stress and tightness.
• Muscle resistance and strengthening – in children with hypotonia (low muscle tone), yoga postures can be used to create resistance and help strengthen loose or flaccid muscles.
• Realignment of spine – yoga can stretch and realign the spine, reducing pressure on the nerves and improving movement and coordination.

Practicing yoga may also help children with cerebral palsy feel a greater sense of independence. Parents interested in learning more about yoga for special needs children should visit the Yoga for the Special Child website

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on September 24, 2008 (boomark / email).