Visual Impairment Case Study

Children with visual impairment have a greater need of fitness because of higher energy demands to perform their activities of daily living. Yoga’s holistic practices include physical, emotional, and mental disciplines, which may help them to cope with many of their challenges. The purpose of this article is to introduce an adapted five step method to teach yoga to children with visual impairment so that they can learn the practices in an effective and interesting way, and perform them simply and easily with confidence. The five steps consist of; verbal instructions, tactile modelling, step by step teaching, learning in a small group and physical guidance. Adapting the above steps might help them to enhance self confidence, improve positive

Children with VI benefit by using the sense of touch as a mode of learning. For many, touch is a major mode of communication. Arora & Kour (2012) explored identification of objects with different textures, showing that children with VI use more than the sense of hearing and taste. Tactile models are an ideal way to present ideas of yoga postures to them.
For better understanding and to create interest, cut-out models of each physical posture should be prepared and distributed to participants. Sufficient time must then be provided to touch and feel the models until students really understand each posture. Clear mental pictures and fundamental conceptions of each practice can be achieved by this technique. Tactile models for each yoga practice may be challenging to prepare.
While physical postures can be taught using models, practices that are not static postures such as loosening exercises cannot be so taught. Similarly breathing and relaxation practices do not require tactile input. Tactile models are useful only when a child recognizes what they represent. Also use of touch cues for each separate practice should be consistent so no confusion is introduced.
Step 3 Step by Step

4th step Exhale and come back to starting position.
Step 4 Learning in a Small Group
Practices become easier to learn when the children can touch and feel an instructor or peer performing the movements. Divide the students into groups of four or five of the same gender, standing in a circle with a demonstrator at the center. As the demonstrator performs the posture, according to the yoga instructor’s directions, members of the group touch and feel body and limb positions. This method is highly effective and helps children with VI enjoy learning the practices. Though similar to tactile modelling students experience required movements more directly and appropriately.
Some may feel uncomfortable being touched, so this step must be used carefully. Students need to understand clearly what they are trying to learn. However, limitations such as aversion to physical touch or a tendency to back away or wince noted in studies of sighted children (Williamson & Anzalone, 2001) might be encountered.
Step 5 Physical