CALMING INFLUENCE CAMP TEACHES DISABLED YOUTHS YOGA, LIFE SKILLS.

Byline: CONNIE LLANOS 

Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Breathing deeply, they rested.

The group of novice yoga students had just finished contorting their bodies into several complex poses, breaking a sweat with "downward dog" and suffering through a few leg cramps during "floor bow pose."

But yoga for this special group of teens and young adults, clients of the Let Me Sail organization that works with developmentally disabled youths, was about taking home one more lesson.

"I like learning new things," 17-year-old Trevor Ryan said as he sleepily rose from his meditative state. "I can practice this at home."

The Wednesday morning yoga session was among the many activities planned for Ryan and his buddies during their weeklong Spring Voyage to Independence Camp -- a program making the most of spring break by teaching these special-needs students life skills they can't learn in the classroom.

"We are teaching them how to cook their own meals, shop for groceries, and even call for takeout," said Krystal Curameng, Let Me Sail's executive director.

"This really empowers them and gives them the self-confidence to know they can handle situations on their own."

Curameng said physical activities are a big focus of the camp -- the first of its kind for the two-year-old organization, but one Curameng hopes to bring back in the summer.

Let Me Sail board member Gary Spindt said while this year's spring break class is small -- just five students paid $235 for the weeklong camp -- that was intentional.

"We wanted to keep it small to give each client more attention," Spindt said.

As the five junior yogis lay on their backs, yoga instructor Catherine Sjolumd bowed gently to end the class.

"Namaste," said Sjolumd, also co-owner of Hot Yoga studio in Valencia.

Certified as a yoga instructor for special-needs students, she said increased concentration and tension relief are only a few of the benefits of yoga.

"If done on a regular basis, it can really improve their way of life," Sjolumd said.

Sjolumd added that this centuries-old exercise, often touted for its spiritual qualities, doesn't require a certain mental capacity.

"You just put out positive energy and encourage them, and they can do anything."

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Photo:

(1 -- 2) Yoga instructor Catherine Sjolumd, above, works with disabled youths, such as David Hauck, top, on poses at Let Me Sail in Santa Clarita.

David Crane/Staff Photographer