Richard Ngo

Lab section: 006

Activity reflection
1. At the beginning of the activity the instructor gave a short but brief explanation to
why yoga is considered a beneficial activity to implement in our lives, Sandra also
welcomed each participant as they came in which provided a welcoming
atmosphere. Throughout the activity session, she demonstrated consistent
engagement by progressively making each yoga pose more difficult to challenge us,
as well as continuously checking on the participants to make sure were doing alright.
Furthermore, she walked around the gym and told the participants that they were
doing a good job, as well as correcting their form. Sandra also demonstrated
different variations of yoga poses to help participants that were having difficulty and
provided cues that made these variations better understood. Additionally, she
actively reminded us to focus on our breathing and the music was well suited and
appropriate for the intensity of the activity.

2. Throughout the activity, it was interesting see that almost every participant I saw
loved challenging themselves and really tried with every yoga pose. To include, some
participants were dancing to the music during our breaks. Additionally, at the end of
the workout there was a period where the participants were ask to lay on their mats
with their arms and legs stretched out and eyes closed, and as they were doing this
the instructor walked around the gym and gave us positive affirmations and
reminded us to use our breathing whenever we felt stressed, worried, or anxious,
and I looked across the gym and I saw how relaxed and at peace each participant
was; ending the activity in that manner did make the activity a lot more pleasing and
gave each participant some time to self-reflect which looked enjoyable for the
participants.

3. As yoga was the activity, some participants were struggling with finding their balance
with some of the yoga poses; for example, the tree pose was not maintained for a
long period of time, instead it was held for shorter spurts and participants had to
recollect themselves before going back into the pose. Some participants also had
some challenges with proper form but was easily fixed with the instructor’s cues.
Furthermore, some participants were struggling with some of their emotions and
frustrated that they couldn’t get the yoga pose correctly, but the instructor
encouraged them and guided the participants slowly to understand the pose.

4. The only equipment that was used in this activity class was a mat, but nonetheless
yoga is a great activity that is adapted to people living with down syndrome. Yoga
provides a foundation that helps fine-tune our posture, flexibility, balance, and

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 coordination and these can be introduced to people living with down syndrome that
may have lower muscle mass and impaired motor skills. Some yoga poses that were
introduced in the activity helped with building the foundation of general active
living, for example, when participants were doing the warrior pose, this helps with
building our balance, coordination, and core stability. Yoga is a great way for people
living with down syndrome to set a structure that can help them with general active
living skills such as picking up heavier objects, using these skills during other
activities other than yoga, and overall general life-needed skills.

Self-Reflection
1. An aspect that I would’ve included that wasn’t in the yoga session would be a warm-
up section; I would strongly have put in a warm-up section as it’s important for joint
mobility, allows proper blood flow to muscles, prevent the risk of injury, allows
mental preparation to let the body know that you’re about to exercise, and allows
our range of motion to be more flexible. One way that I would’ve engaged the
population differently is to incorporate resistance bands to enhance and deepen
stretches; another way that would’ve engaged the population is to allow the
participants to take a moment to focus on a goal that they want to accomplish
throughout the activity either physically, spiritually, or mentally.

2. In terms of my role in the activity, I observed, participated, and connected with the
participants during the activity. By participating in the activity, I was able to provide
motivation to the participants as well as let the instructor know what I’m studying
and how this experience will assist me with my education. Furthermore, I believe my
participation in the activity gave the participants some comfort as participating can
encourage the participants to engage and follow along other participants.

3. This was my first yoga experience and what I learned the most during the activity is I
found myself being more mindful with myself, I learned that I don’t take the time for
myself to decompress and be mindful of my well-being as often as I should be, and
I’ve progressively been learning how to take care of myself properly and learning
how to be mindful of the present and implementing yoga in my schedule has
definitely gave me the time to meditate and allow myself to let go and relax.
Furthermore, what I found most surprising during the activity was the over
achievement from the participants and willingness to participate. Throughout the
yoga session, most or even all the participants were doing more advanced yoga
poses and executed each yoga pose better than I was doing them, they did such a
great job with listening to cues and followed along the instructor with ease.
Nonetheless, there is a lot of stigma towards people living with down syndrome; we
need to break this stigma towards individuals living with down syndrome that there
not intellectual or lack the ability to do things “normally”, because individuals living
with down syndrome also possess abilities that are just as good or even better to
those who don’t live with down syndrome.

4. As this was my first yoga experience, there were a lot of challenges that I had to
overcome. Some yoga poses that were introduced to me I was struggling with my
balance and coordination; for example, the different variations of the warrior pose, I

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 was having difficulties with having consistent form and balance and so more effort
was needed for me to execute the pose. Furthermore, I had challenges with my
breathing patterns for some poses in which I had to consistently remind myself to
breath correctly with each movement. Lastly, some physical barriers that prevented
me from doing the activity effectively was my lack of flexibility.

5. Throughout this experience, I enjoyed learning how yoga can strengthen both our
physical and mental needs. Specifically, I learned that I should put myself first when
it comes to my own well-being and do things that make me happy once in a while,
including to take a moment every day to just reflect and congratulate myself on
what I accomplished in the day no matter how little or big the accomplishment is.
This experience has created an impact for me as I started to implement yoga in my
schedule to help me destress and give me a chance to meditate and take time for
myself. Nonetheless, this experience was also beneficial to enhance my knowledge
with people living with down syndrome; interacting with the other participants made
me realize the barriers that they have to face on a daily basis, but importantly, it
taught me what individuals living with down syndrome are capable of doing and
sharing this experience with the participants filled a gap in my education.