Shishu Sarothi, a city-based voluntary organisation working towards development of specially-abled children, on Thursday said children have begun to experience the benefits of the Jivadhara Scheme launched in Kamrup (metro) district last September.

The scheme, a pilot project to introduce yoga to specially-abled children, was implemented by the state government and the National Ayush Mission under the ministry of health and family welfare in association with Shishu Sarothi. The mission has been accommodated with the Centre for Inclusive and Vocational Education (CIVE) programme.

Shishu Sarothi has started teaching yoga with props and sensory toys such as balloons, glitter jars, flowers, flash cards and others to its students. The school authority said such techniques help reduce anxiety, increase concentration level, ensure better sleep, improve social skills among others.

Konika Bora (name changed), mother of Anita (name changed), 6, who is specially-abled, attends the yoga sessions at Shishu Sarothi regularly.

Bora said, “My husband has been practising yoga for more than 20 years now but we never realised that our daughter would benefit by practising it as well. I was surprised to see that the flexibility of her back muscles increased by practising yoga. I have also learned a few techniques of holding her correctly while she practices yoga regularly at home.”

Shishu Sarothi on International Day of Yoga on Friday will hold special programmes.

Mayurakshy Dutta Chowdhury, a special educator with the CIVE’s playgroup unit, said, “Our children have benefited a lot from yoga. They are now more responsive to instructions and cooperate well in class with a longer attention span.”