Happy to Be Me

Welcome to Happy to Be Me, a yoga storybook for children, parents, teachers, and caregivers of all abilities around the world.

Yoga is an easy, safe, and therapeutic practice that brings peace and well-being to the body, mind, and spirit. Happy to Be Me presents an accessible yoga practice for people of all levels and can bring many benefits to those who participate. The purpose of this book is to allow teachers, parents, and caregivers worldwide the opportunity to bring yoga into their homes, classrooms, and communities.

Already, children with special needs such as autism, Down’s syndrome, and cerebral palsy have participated in the Happy to Be Me yoga practice. Teachers and parents have witnessed benefits including children’s increased body awareness and independent movement, improved listening and verbalization, and the ability to regulate emotions and relax naturally.

We believe everyone has the ability to feel happy in his or her unique body and experience! We hope you enjoy reading this book and seeing the positive effects of a yoga practice, and feel as inspired as we do to share Happy to Be Me with your community.

My vision for this book began when I was working in Bangalore, India, teaching yoga to children with special needs for the charitable organization Prafull Oorja: Holistic Practices for All. While teaching children and conducting trainings, the team with whom I was working and I recognized the need to provide a book for communities so this practice could be sustained in classrooms and homes. Thus, the dream for Happy to Be Me began, and the dream became reality in the United States shortly after. Happy to Be Me will be shared with communities in the United States, India, and around the world, and 5% of the proceeds will be donated to Prafull Oorja to continue their outreach program for communities with special needs around India.

Happy to Be Me was made possible by the committed Prafull Oorja team in India, by Megan and Ryan, the artists and designers who supported this dream through their creative passions, by the generous people who supported the fundraising to publish this book, and by YOU, the reader, who now has the opportunity to share this practice with yourself, children, and community. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every person who has contributed to making the dream of bringing yoga to all possible!

With peace, love, and gratitude, Madeleine

For more information about how to get involved with yoga for all around the world visit: yogaforautism.net or prafulloorja.com

Happy to Be Me is a yoga adventure for people of any ability. The yoga practice in this book is accessible to many, and easily modified to meet individual needs. By following the points below, and the instructions in the back of the book, all those who practice are sure to have an enjoyable experience of Happy to Be Me.

Tips for Readers

• Find a comfortable and quiet place to sit and practice on the floor or a chair.

• Read through the instructions in the back of the book before beginning the practice, and refer to them again as you go along.

• Tell children they are beginning a fun yoga practice that will make them feel great!

• Start slowly and ease children into a yoga practice. Possibly, start with a few poses to begin and build up to a full practice with time, or begin with a 5-10 minute practice, and build up to a 25-30 minute practice as children become more comfortable.

• Adjust and modify poses as needed. Many of the poses can be done easily from a chair or with the assistance of a parent or teacher.

• Allow children to take breaks and practice at their own pace.

• Remember, you know your child best. Be conscious to maintain physical, mental, and emotional comfort and safety throughout the practice.

• Play and participate with the children so you can both enjoy and engage in the practice.

• Intend well-being and peace, and experience all the possibilities of Happy to Be Me!

Visit www.yogaforautism.net for instructional videos with the author.