Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live: Meditation & Mandala Drawing Class

 

Join Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live and our Programs manager Moya for a relaxing and creative session of Meditation & Mandala Drawing. Come experience the relaxing practice of meditation and the expressive, cathartic, and mindful process of drawing mandalas! (See collage below for examples of what you will be drawing)

 

What: Dreams For Kids DC x Adaptive Yoga Live has set up a virtual mindfulness clinic for individuals of all ages with physical and developmental disabilities. This clinic will focus on basic meditation techniques and mandala drawing skills.

The meditation portion of this clinic will be a short guided practice where the individual will learn a mindfulness technique from an AYL teacher. The purpose of meditation is to train one's mental and emotional awareness in the aspiration to achieve a more mentally clear and emotionally calm state. All you need is yourself and a quiet environment. No previous meditation experience necessary.

The mandala drawing portion of this clinic will be inspired by what emotions, thoughts, and feelings arise from the meditation practice. Mandalas are circular designs with repeating shapes and historically have held spiritual significance. The word “mandala” comes from the Sanskrit word for circle. When paired with mindfulness meditation, mandala drawing can be a cathartic and fun way to come back to the present moment. All you need is a pencil, eraser, colored pencils/markers/crayons, and paper. No previous drawing experience necessary. Moya will break down the steps to make it easy for a beginner!

 

When: Saturday, May 22nd, 2020 from 8:00-9:00 am PST, 11:00 am-12:00 pm EST, 4:00-5:00 pm BST

 

Where: Online via Zoom (You will receive the zoom conference link in your email a few days before the clinic).

 

Who: Participants with physical and developmental disabilities of all ages welcome and we also invite their family members to attend as well! We also invite DFKDC x AYL volunteers and friends to join us online to make this a truly inclusive session. Please read about all of our new digital programming (in light of COVID-19) here: https://www.dreamsforkidsdc.org/programs

 

Dreams For Kids DC programs are 100% free and give children with disabilities to sports and other activities, helping them realize their full potential to succeed in all walks of life.

 

About Dreams For Kids DC:

Dreams For Kids DC provides life-changing activities that empower children with physical and developmental disabilities to unite with their peers and realize their potential. DFKDC events are adaptive sports clinics held once or twice a month for children with disabilities aged 4 – 24. Through our events, those with physical and developmental disabilities are able to come off the sidelines and unite with their peers. A lot of these children have been bullied in schools, and are left out of activities with able-bodied children. The empowerment and self confidence gained through the clinic will carry over from the field to the home, classroom, and the community, allowing them to realize that their disability will not prevent them from fulfilling their dreams. Each child is partnered with a volunteer to learn the essence of teamwork, have a mentor, and also bond over a sense of camaraderie. Learn more at dreamsforkidsdc.org

 

About Adaptive Yoga Live:

Adaptive Yoga LIVE was started by Miranda McCarthy as a direct response to COVID-19 to help the disabled community stay active and combat the stress of self-isolation during the lockdown. Free adaptive yoga classes are broadcast live, three times a week, through the Adaptive Yoga LIVE website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Adaptive yoga teaches you to use the mind to bring awareness to the body, through physical postures, partnered with the breath, and meditation practices, regardless of the student’s level of ability. Classical yoga postures are adapted, with the use of props and chairs, to the needs of students living with a disability. The emphasis is on the experience within each yoga pose - not simply their physical accomplishments. Awareness moves through the mind-body relationship both with and without muscular action. It is about the discovery of a subtle level of mind-body sensation that is not impeded by disability. Learn more at adaptiveyogalive.com