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                     Promoting Active living in individuals with Down Syndrome

What we need to know

 Before engaging/ involving individuals with Down syndrome in any form of physical exercise/activity we need to be aware of and understand

• Their medical and genetic strength and weakness
• Their Cognitive challenges 
• Their physical activity and limitation

Why?

• Individuals with Down syndrome can become very tired, very quickly
• Their gross and fine motor skill weakness and hypotonia provides major limitation in them and causes basic activities like sitting, writing, running, walking, and jumping to be very difficult
• Knowing their abilities and limitation potentially help teachers structure simple active living exercise/ movements that best fits their students' ability.

My baby steps to promote physical fitness in individuals with Down syndrome

I integrate physical fitness and movement within my students using a utilitarian approach.

• Encouraging students to use stairs instead of elevators whenever possible
• Simple 5 minute body stretching exercise in between lessons.

For the past five weeks, after every 50 minutes of lesson, we did some simple body stretch movements. I encouraged my students to do breathing exercise followed by body stretch and movements. During the first week some students were reluctant to take part in it and preferred watching instead.

Students had the freedom to do movements they were comfortable with and was within their ability.

Results showed after first week. The movements were so motivating that soon every student participated this short body stretch movement exercise we did in between class. With the addition of music “ Gangnam style” students vitality peaked and they flowed with the music. Now it has become part of our classroom culture and lesson. Every student waits for the moment. I call this active living, the connection of mind and body

My personal live experience of mind body connection and health as I move through these two years of HEALing journey

The Beginning: My First class

"Bikram Yoga"

The beginning of my first class was a torture for me. Within five minutes of entry in the room I wanted to run out. The room was so warm, about 40 degrees. The instructor began with deep breathing exercise, breathing that shook me and made me feel dizzy. I remembered the term vitality! Where did I stand in my vitality at that moment? Was it inflated or deflated? Before I could even figure it out I heard my instructor calling out aloud “ Hand stretched out straight Sunita, Well done! Deep breathes … The energized instructors voice and the environment flowed me into the floor flowing my mind and body with the instructions for the next 90 minutes. In between I could hear the words of my instructor," it's not easy but nothing is easy! Take in charge of your own health! Ninety minutes will give you Ninety years of life".

My body aches and my muscle pains

Will I make to my next yoga class!