Yesterday I did what my family has been asking me to do for some time. I practiced yoga with my son. Now 15, he ha been in physical, occupational and speech therapies since he was young. Even though he only remains in speech therapy and does well in school there are physical challenges that remain.
In middle school he ran track and cross country. This helped a lot with the physical challenges. His high school, as much as we like it, doesn't offer the same caliber of athletic training.
In going through a simple yoga sequence with him I learned a lot about his body. Man, there are so many incongruities and nothing that some regular, simple practice can't address. The kid is 15. He's been in his body a much shorter time than I've been in mine. It is now my job to make sure that this body serves him well.
Even simple things need practice sometimes; pedaling a bicycle, reaching for something on a high shelf. Which muscle actions are useful and which I ones are unnecessary. He needs to learn this. It doesn't help that he's grown about 5” this year. It's like he's always getting used to a new body.
I will continue to find the time to practice with him because it's important that he have the physical stamina, coordination and mental focus to face what lies ahead. I may not be a physical therapist but I know I can help.
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| Gusty and Sister Princess now |
