Rockville Centre resident practices therapy through yoga

In 1970, a Brazilian woman named Sonia Sumar gave birth to a daughter who had Down syndrome. Understandably, Sumar was devastated by the news, but rather than have it defeat her, she took action: Sumar used yoga therapy to help special needs children like her daughter to overcome their disabilities.

Sumar’s efforts over the last few decades have led to a worldwide movement to help these children through yoga therapy. And in Rockville Centre, it recently caught on.

This past spring, two village residents teamed up with an occupational therapist to start the All 4 One Yoga Club at the Recreation Center. It incorporates the Sonia Sumar method — a system of chanting, breathing and relaxation techniques — for children with autism, Down syndrome and other conditions. The club’s first session just finished after an eight-week run from April to June. This month, the club started two four-week class sessions on Saturdays.

“We all bring something different to it,” said April McNally, the village resident and special education teacher who started the program with her neighbor, Kate Cheney, a speech pathologist. “It’s a fantastic program and it’s been a fantastic experience for us.”

McNally and Cheney teamed up with Margaret Tumelty, an occupational therapist, to jump-start the club this year. They reached out to the Recreation Center in order to get started, and Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tony Brunetta said he was more than happy to let the three use space inside the facility to run their club. “There was a need for it,” Brunetta said. “The three women involved are extremely qualified and it’s become a welcome addition to the Rec.”

So far, membership in All 4 One Yoga has been small: six children participated in yoga sessions during the spring, and no more than six children are taking part in each of the two summer sessions, McNally said. Some of the children live in Rockville Centre, while others come from out of town to participate. “We’re all therapists and this is therapy through yoga,” Cheney said. “It’s been a rewarding opportunity and we can’t say enough about Mr. [Tony] Brunetta.”

The program has had modest beginnings. Not only are classes small, but the price of membership is affordable. McNally, Cheney and Tumelty say they would like to expand the sessions so that membership is larger, and they hope volunteers will join their cause in the future to assist the children, whom the three say are a pleasure to work with.

“I definitely see it growing,” Tumelty said. “Hopefully we can get more people to help out in the future. Everyone has been very pleased with the idea so far.”