Origin of the Method

From the book Yoga for the Special Child by Sonia Sumar: “By letting go of our fears and negativity, and learning to see the best in ourselves and others, we can provide a powerful impetus for positive change. It is through this ability to go beyond preconceived notions and external appearances that we can transform our lives, and those of our children. May all the parents of special children develop this ability, and may they and their children experience true peace and happiness.”

Sonia Sumar, founder of Yoga for the Special Child®, is internationally renowned for her pioneering work in teaching yoga to individuals with special needs.  

Sonia's mission is to help the world's special children achieve their full potential and become active and productive members of society. Sonia Sumar began teaching Yoga for children with special needs after her daughter Roberta was born with Down Syndrome in 1972. Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by mental retardation and other developmental delays. Sonia noticed many positive changes in Roberta from using Yoga therapy, so in 1975 she became a Certified Yoga Teacher. Based on her work with her daughter and subsequent students, Sonia developed her method. Her method has been used worldwide to enhance the lives of individuals with special needs. Sonia’s book, Yoga for the Special Child has been published in English, Portuguese, and Chinese. Sonia travels worldwide to offer her Yoga for the Special Child® training programs. There are over 100 licensed practitioners worldwide, practicing in 25 countries.