“What we want is a choice and a chance.”
-CP Center Participant J.S.
For over 70 years, the Cerebral Palsy Center has provided programs and services that encourage people with disabilities to maximize self sufficiency, and realize their dreams. The Center is an adult education program serving people with a wide range of disabilities and desires. In response to this diversity, the varied curriculum includes Micro-Enterprise self-employment opportunities, CITI, a community integration program, the use of assistive technology to enhance functionality, computer access and learning modules, functional academics and a Wellness and Aging Program with three weekly Adaptive Yoga classes.
The Adaptive Yoga Program began with one class thirteen years ago, with the fundamental belief that everyone, regardless of ability, can benefit from a yoga practice. Yoga became so popular that the Center now offers three weekly classes. The teachers, recognized as experts in the field, adapt traditional poses for people with multiple physical limitations. Each student’s practice is carefully tailored for his or her individual abilities.
Most people with life-long physical disabilities can typically expect their functionality to decline with age. The yoga program provides an antidote to this potential decline. It is a crucial component in helping students to maintain as much of their independence, self-sufficiency, and functionality as possible. Many students report less pain and discomfort, an increase in range-of-motion, and an improved sense of wellbeing and ease. The effects of the practice are global, allowing people to relate differently to their bodies, and to change how they move and act in the world.
The Celebral Palsy Center has been a grant recipient of Yoga Dana Foundation since 2010.