Inclusive Yoga for All

A Down syndrome diagnosis set this family on a path to make yoga accessible to everyone.

- By Jessica Parsons and Sue Anne Parsons

Sue Anne Parsons: I started the first yoga studio in Santa Barbara in 1986. Three years later, Jim came in for a yoga class. We fell in love, got married later that year, and have been teaching yoga together ever since. Jim had two children, Janelle and Jeremy, and yoga naturally became a part of our family's life. When I got pregnant with Lauren, we offered prenatal yoga. As our children got older, we started teaching kids' yoga classes. The demand for yoga increased, and we needed teachers, so we started teacher trainings. Everything just grew organically and magically. As our lives blossomed, so did our practice.

In 1992, our twins, Emily and Jessica, were born. When we were told that Jessica had Down syndrome, it set us on a journey that we didn't expect. We had no clue what was ahead. For the first year, we were in a fog, navigating all the emotions, challenges, and resources.

YOGA FROM BIRTH

When Jessica was born, some professionals who specialize in children with disabilities told us that her Down syndrome would limit what we could expect of her. Thankfully, there were also encouraging teachers, therapists, and caregivers who helped us realize what she could learn and achieve.

We were part of an early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities-and it made a huge difference for us. Because of the program, Jessica was able to work with physical, occupational, and speech therapists.

One of her physical therapists told us that Jessica had hypermobility and low muscle tone, so we would need to help build her strength. The exercises the therapist gave us were similar to yoga. So Jessica started doing yoga when she was a baby.