Carla Daly Yoga

These neurodivergent friendly sessions have been running since March Calderdale Yoga Centre .

We gather for drinks, connect., share experiences and find support . We then move our body gently , gather ourselves and have that oh so important time away. There is a big focus on rest, recovery and regulation . Also a few strength building moments if the energy allows .

The session design is led by the collective and you have full autonomy over what to do or not to do .

We are lucky enough to have them funded through Amber Wayfinder Calderdale sterling work.

As Summer holidays can be really busy with family life there will be no session in August.

Back on the 19th September

Until then ....... stay cool 🤪🤪😂😂🫶🫶😘

Feedback from last months .yoga

This is the 'why' to holding these sessions . Caring is a complex position to be in with very little time for anything else .

Some of the things I was taught over 30 years of practicing yoga that I have consciously unlearned and abandoned.

Not allowed a drink whilst practicing.
No talking allowed.
Never be late as a student.
Do exactly as the teacher does.
No choice .
Feel you have to do it even if you know it's not good for you right then .
No options to take a break.
To be still, to hold poses .

Over the years I questioned .
When I needed support and understanding how does this look?
When I was late on a few occasions as getting out the house was almost impossible and getting there was a massive achievement (although a little late ) being turned away was a huge kick in the teeth .

When I had gone through the most intense stress in a morning and still managed to get there but needed to make infrequent casual one liners quietly to the person next to me to regulate to be met with "stop f***ing talking" by a renowned male teacher . I vowed never to make anybody else feel this way as we don't know what people are going through before class .

When it's really hot and you have heat intolerance or sensory issues and drinking helps to cool you or regulates you and you are told not to.

When your mind is active and overwhelmed and movement is soothing but told you have to be still in this pose , a little wriggle or rocking or rhythmic movement is ok in my books.

When you need to walk around at start of class and burn off that 'fizziness' / anxiety first rather than straight into breath and stillness . That's ok , go for it .

When needing a focus in relaxation and meditation because you have one of 'those' minds is met with you are just not practicing it enough . Some folk particularly ND folk it's just the way , not a lack of focus or dedication to practicing .

That's enough for now , could go on .
How do people REALLY experience what you offer ?

What things have you felt or think have no place in an inclusive space ?

📸 by Amber

Yoga- stretching . The asanas (physical postures ) are easy when they come easy. 😜

Of course there is opportunity for challenge as you progress.

As a teacher / coach / facilitator whatever word you prefer the biggest challenge / growth I found was stretching my teaching . Varying and widening the options I could give people so that most people could try. Over time and experience I can think much more on the spot what to offer as an alternative .

Downward dog, a classic yoga staple is something i have been wanting to add into the class for people with Parkinsons disease. With so many varying bodies in the room some seated , some standing , some not able transition from floor to standing each class I have a variety of options in mind ready to offer .

I offer a number of options for people to take depending on how they are that day . So when we do warrior 1 I will then have at least two variations of this in mind too .

So for the seated folk today downward dog can look a little like this . This is the May Day offering .

Sit to the front of your chair.
Extend legs in front pressing the heels away and flexing your toes to the knees .
Extend arms up and fold slightly forward from the hips (not the waist).
Bring awareness to your shoulders and feel like you are screwing your armpits in to look at each other.

Give it a try and see how it feels compared to the trad version .