Beyond the Physical Body

Recently I had the opportunity to take my child, Brendon who has a physical disability to a yoga studio where I practice as a student. The class was basically an intermediate/advance practice. I took him with the intention of both of us participating together. I wanted to get in my own physical practice as well as discover and practice some of the therapy techniques I have been studying. I also wanted my child to have the experience of yoga as community, something he misses as there are no community classes presently that would include him.

I went through all the preliminary thoughts typically I have when I take Brendon to a new place. First I had to figure out how to get him in, and where would be the best space to put him. There were stairs leading into the studio so I was going to have to carry him (this is one reason why I have such a physically strong practice in yoga). I also needed to set up his space, bolsters, blankets, blocks, even a strap. Then I envisioned where we would practice that would create the least amount of distraction to the other students. Arriving early I was set. The next thing that I had to contend with is whether to prepare the instructor ahead of time, or just show up. There are risks either way. In preparation ahead of time often my words over complicate my intention and his disability. In just showing up, I knew I would have to content with the possibility that I would get that look. Parents of special needs children know what I am talking about and have been dealing with it as long as they have been taking their child out in public, not exactly rejection, but a mixture of surprise and fear (like in a split moment they are thinking, uhhhh how will this work in my class, or am I going to have to do anything different than I planned, or is this going to be a distraction?). You may be surprised how instantaneous this look passes through ones eyes.

I decided to take a risk, just show up and see what happened. I have learned the worst that can happen is that I wouldn’t be able to practice, and I was OK with that (though there would be a little sting). I am so grateful to my teacher, she demonstrated nothing but acceptance, as well as genuine joy in the fact that we were there. After comfortably setting up Brendon, I snuggled my mat close to him. I gave one simple instruction, to listen to the teacher and see if he could either move his body as she was suggesting or to imagine through the breath movement in this way.

This experience ranked as one of my favorite, humbling and even affirming. There is always such powerful energy in a flow class but to have Brendon there among some of the most physically fit yogis’ breathing, stretching, reaching was truly amazing. I loved trying to contort my body into whatever shape was being described while trying to adjust, stretch and assist Brendon. He was fully included; I could see the deep concentration on his face and felt release in his body as he worked with his own breath. It really didn’t matter what the shape he was in looked like, what mattered was his own unique experience. Brendon has what I see many able bodied yogis’ struggle with, full acceptance of his body without comparison or judgment. It didn’t seem to matter to him that he was not able to twist, contort, invert like everyone else. This is the true absence of ego. No comparison, just concentration, and a resolve to have his own experience in spite of multiple physical challenges. His physical body didn’t inhibit him or serve as a distraction toward the experience of prana (breath) moving, and the transformative energy of the yoga practice.
In the end with peace and contentment realized his little body relaxed into sleep.

It is my hope that others will find inspiration from this story. Yoga is such a powerful gift, and should be available to all regardless of body challenges. It transcends the physical realm in its ability to transform the practitioner toward their true inner self. The actual physical asana (poses) are secondary to this purpose. Don’t let the body distract, inhibit, or block you from this inner yoga experience. Allow the body to be as it is… and be grateful for whatever experience shows up on your mat.

~Om Shante, Shante, Shante, Om