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Children With Special Needs Benefit From Yoga At Darien YMCA

DARIEN, Conn. -- This year, the Darien Y has begun to offer yoga classes for children with special needs. 

Participants in a yoga class for children with special needs at the Darien YMCA perform a “pass the block” exercise. Left to right: Shea Canaday (volunteer), Melissa Hartunian (volunteer), Sarah Dorris and Talita Moss (yoga instructor).

Participants in a yoga class for children with special needs at the Darien YMCA perform a “pass the block” exercise. Left to right: Shea Canaday (volunteer), Melissa Hartunian (volunteer), Sarah Dorris and Talita Moss (yoga instructor).

Photo Credit: Contributed

“Soothing Yoga” is an after-school program offered to children ages 8 to 12. Classes include a variety of yoga poses and games in a fun and relaxing environment. 

The program is held on Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. 

Yoga generates huge benefits for children with special needs because it helps them focus on being calm, improves their balance and coordination, and gives them an opportunity to express their emotions freely with their bodies. 

Yoga also builds confidence among children with special needs because it is physical but not competitive – there is no right or wrong way to pose. 

One student with special needs who took the class was so excited to be able to perform a balancing pose that she had the entire yoga class cheering and clapping for her. 

The instructor of “Soothing Yoga” for children with special needs is Darien resident Talita Moss. She’s a certified yoga instructor who also teaches teen and adult yoga classes at the Darien YMCA. 

She is currently taking the “Yoga for Children with Special Needs Teacher Training Course” to optimize the experience of her special needs students. She hopes to see yoga being taught at all schools, helping youth learn to calm themselves and become more mindful, compassionate and respectful. 

For more information about “Soothing Yoga," or the YMCA's special needs classes or yoga classes, visit www.darien-ymca.org.

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