Of course much of yoga involves stretching but also elongation of movements so that we are forced into consciousness of what we are doing. The movements are slowed down so much that time itself seems to slow down. You begin to operate at a totally different level than you are used to in regular day to day life.
And then there is the relaxation component to yoga which is the most difficult part for me. We "endured" twenty some minutes of relaxation and I thought I would explode. My mind's thoughts were like monkeys jumping from tree limb to tree limb. I generally do not like to be alone with my thoughts as they run rampant and seem uncontrolled. But my yoga teacher's soothing voice allowed me to slow my thoughts to a more manageable crawl.
The first time I participated in the relaxation portion of my yoga class, I wanted to jump up and do something, anything to stop the torturous slow ticking of the clock. Relaxation has always seemed alien to me, almost a punishment for my need to always be up, active, and "purposeful." When I relax I feel guilty that I am not doing something or am wasting time. But my teacher's words brought me back to reality. Her velvety tone imbibed, "You are perfect just the way you are. Right now you don't need to do anything. You don't need to think anything. You don't need to be anywhere...but here. "Basically she was giving us the permission to relax. I found that as time went on my resistance began to weaken and I found that I could relax after all, even for a few minutes. It is a start!
In so many ways I think yoga could be beneficial to both children and adults who suffer from ADHD if the individual could make the effort to slow down enough to reap the full benefits of the session. Yoga seeming simplicity is rather deceiving. I found it to be challenging because both my mind and body are not used to such deliberate and conscious intentions and actions. But I am learning and I think in the end yoga is giving me a way to reduce my stress. It is giving me more power to concentrate and focus. And it is allowing me to perceive that time is not always something we must rush through.
Now how about you? Have you or your child ever taken a yoga class? What did you make of it? Did it help you or your child with ADHD symptoms? Do tell all. We want to hear your stories! We always love to hear from you.
