A Seed Planted
You might say the garden was tilled at birth, preparing me for what I might grow and eventually harvest. I was born the oldest sister, and was only surpassed in age by my cousin, Lindsay. I grew up with her. Most of my infant pictures include her, the older “sister” type, a bond unmatched. She was nonvocal and experienced disabilities that greatly impacted her independence. Accepting her differences and participating as a family in a way that could include her was a core family value in my younger years. It was something that was important to me and was a value that was easy to recognize in another person. I shared many memories with her, until her passing in 2020. Many of my life choices were shaped by my relationship with her, and I will be forever grateful for so many shared life experiences.
I was in my second year of teaching and still learning the value of presuming intellect and the opportunities for adapting recreation and leisure. I was introduced to Laura Srsa, a retired special education teacher who was currently offering adapted yoga. I was working in a private separate school, that focused on providing education to students who had complex needs that local public school districts were unable to provide. We had opportunities for unique and individualized programming and our high school team was always thinking outside of the box.
I was unsure about introducing yoga. Most of the students were movers. Time on task was successful in short increments. The practice of stillness seemed out of reach. How would our small group of staff support yoga, something I thought at the time was about synchronous movement, the “right” posture and alignment, advanced balances, and an expectation of “quiet.” I learned to let go of a lot of limiting beliefs that impacted the exposure I was sharing with students. I adopted the practice of presuming intellect. This shifted how I interacted with my students, opened my mind to sharing other interest-based activities, in hopes that all students were able to discover other passions and hobbies. Thank you, Laura.
Laura planted a seed. She came weekly and became a highly anticipated part of our schedule. I saw the impact it made on students. She volunteered to introduce yoga once more, when I accepted a position at another school. As she began to focus on retirement, she extended an offering of a large collection of yoga materials and tools if I wanted to take the lead in teaching. Yoga was not yet something I had invited into my life personally, but I recognized the clear impact it had on my students, and could potentially have on staff.
A Seed Watered
I accepted the commitment and began implementing pieces of what Laura had shared. A seed watered.
In my personal life, I was not practicing yoga in any capacity - with respect to the Eight Limbs. A friend, Cara, went to classes locally and often invited me to attend. I can’t recall how many times I declined, but Cara was consistent. There was a series of several days where snow and cold weather caused school cancellations and I was itching to get out of the house. Cara texted, inviting me once again to yoga. Grateful for a reason to leave the house, I accepted. I am forever grateful for her persistence. Thank you, Cara.
I integrated yoga into my life and continue to practice and continue to grow in my practice today, with early roots that began to establish.
With a growing respect for the practice and philosophies, I became passionate about sharing this with students and staff. I was consistently amazed at the regulating effects of the practice. I completed a workshop and earned a certificate to teach Children’s Yoga. Our classroom yoga class grew to include neighboring students who were interested. The classroom team of paraprofessionals cleared out tables, chairs, and other furniture each week to make room to welcome all. They gathered equipment to ensure the practice was accessible to everyone. Our collective demonstrated a yoga flow for the school talent show, showcasing our inclusive practice for students, including those who were blind and nonambulatory. Thank you, Room B.
During COVID when classrooms went online, so did our yoga practice. It was a vital part of social-emotional content and engagement, and there was an opportunity to invite parents, siblings, or other relatives to benefit from the practice, and further integrate it within their own family routines. Our online class became a link to connection and community in an otherwise isolating time. Parents and staff nominated me, and I was recognized as a News Channel 3 #3Hero. During that time, I was in school to earn my Behavior Analyst Certification. When I passed my exam and left that position to take on a new role, the County Board awarded me the Exceptional Service Award.
A Seed Sprouted
I got curious about other opportunities I could share this practice with others, emphasizing possibilities for inclusion and modification, and self-advocacy for participation. A plant sprouted.
I was off for the summer break and focusing my search on opportunities to provide yoga to young adults and preteens with disabilities. The searching led to finding. I linked with local organizations that were also focused on recreation, leisure, or social activities. I participated in summer camps. I began to offer private classes, both in-home, and virtual. I introduced yoga as a Positive Behavior Intervention Tier II support within local districts. I enrolled in training to receive my 200-hr yoga certification. I found a community. Thank you, Jim. Thank you, Cathy. Thank you, B.
A Bud Appears
I began to feel a connection to the discipline and patience of solid growth. Not rushed, nurtured. A bud appears.
I began working for a county agency. The knowledge I gained in this position was both unexpected and instrumental for my growth. I expanded my understanding of trauma, the impact it has on development, and recommendations when considering interventions. My team led an interoception curriculum, focused on developing descriptive vocabulary related to body sensations and signals. I managed virtual reality software that assessed safe interactions online to teach appropriate digital boundaries. I learned about intensive and specialized supports, community organizations and their services, and assistive technology. This position secured my confidence to continue to build a community organization of my own. Thank you, Cuyahoga DD.
A Flower Bloomed
I felt safe to fly, confident to spread my wings, to open myself up to vulnerability and possibility. A flower bloomed.
Which brings us here, to this online home base, that represents another growth milestone. A website, business cards, social media, and physical evidence of a brand being built. A business name that represents this growth. Amala yoga relates to an alignment that symbolizes harmony and success, achieved through pure intentions, strong morals, and deep compassion.
I chose discipline, patience. I chose nurtured growth. The journey continues.
Will you be part of harvesting the fruit?