At first, it was tough to get everyone settled, with our rambunctious little boys who had never done yoga before. With some time, patience, and a few extra adults walking around the room, we settled into a lovely practice.
Two children in particular, Natasha and Sasha P, were amazingly connected and grounded. It doesn't surprise me at all that those children have spent the least time in the orphanage--they just arrived this summer.
Experiencing trauma, such as violence, abuse, or losing your family for any reason, changes the brain. So does being in an institution. Our children struggle with self-regulation. Many are overly sensitized and hypervigilant, with elevated heart rates and shortened breath. Others are under-responsive and lethargic. Yoga is a wonderfully therapeutic way to calm the mind and reconnect to the body. Yoga can connect people to their centers and help them find their power. Many people around the world have found yoga practice to be a healing experience, and the same can be true for our children!
One of my favorite parts of this trip was at the end of yoga practice, seeing a roomful of our children in savasana, completely relaxed and at peace. It was simply beautiful.
All People Yoga Center is working with Katherine to provide yoga mats, supports, and practice for our children at the orphanage. If you're interested in contributing, please leave a comment and we'll be in touch.
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