This week, we meet Genevieve Arel, and discuss her engagement with Down Syndrome Queensland, her two daughters Georgia and Sophia, the Get Active program and the many benefits of yoga.
Tell us about you?
I’m born in Quebec, Canada and have been living in Australia since 2004. My first language is French and English is my second language. I’m a mum of 2 gorgeous twin girls and one has Down syndrome. As a family, we love going camping and travelling. As an individual, I love doing my daily yoga and meditation which keeps me in tune with how I feel and with my needs. I love delicious food and spending some with family and friends.
What is your involvement with Down syndrome?
I have a daughter with Down syndrome, she is almost 7 (her birthday is on the 14th of April). Georgia has been such a great teacher to me. Since becoming a mum of my twin girls it has definitely changed me for the better. Forever grateful for this journey.
What inspires you to do what you do?
My family. Georgia is actually the reason why I am on this Yoga Therapy journey. Yoga has so many beneficial components and I saw a gap in the practice and I really wanted to bring the Yoga and meditation practice to all abilities. There are so many benefits to yoga and meditation and I really wanted to bring it to our community, this is what is inspiring me!
What are some of your / their achievements?
My biggest achievement will have to be my Twin Girls Georgia and Sophia!
What are some of your/ their challenges?
One of my biggest challenges is to have my family living away from me. My Mum, Dad, sister and brother live in Quebec, Canada. We were meant to see them 2 years ago but unfortunately travelling came to a stop, so hopefully this year I will be able to visit them all and get to hug them tight 😉
Some other challenges will be rising my twin girls! They definitely have challenged me since day one, it has been a great ride. Without those challenges, I will not be where I am right now. Forever grateful and I am loving every minute of it.
What are your goals and ambitions for 2022?
My ambitions for 2022, are to keep growing as a person and to become a better person every day (this is more of a lifetime focus perhaps 😉 ). My main focus this year is to keep expending Yoga and meditation to people with all abilities.
How long have you been involved with Down Syndrome Queensland?
Since Georgia came into our lives, I have reached out to Down Syndrome Queensland (DSQ) for loads of questions and asked for help. We also did music therapy with Kate which we absolutely loved. Brisbane Yoga and Brisbane Yoga Therapy as been involved with DSQ since Liz at Get Active got in contact with me at the beginning of the year. We are hoping to create some group classes for the Down syndrome community in the really near future.
What advice would you give to someone with Down syndrome thinking about getting involved in yoga or any other sport?
YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE!
The beauty of yoga is that you don’t have to be a yogi or yogini to get the benefits. Regardless of your age, gender, race, size, shape, background, and fitness level: yoga has the power to calm the mind and strengthen the body. Please don’t be intimidated by the word “yoga”! YOGA IS FOR EVERYONE!
What are the benefits?
Yoga is Empowering and brings Well-being habits to people’s life. Yoga and meditation help reduce anxiety, depression, pain, and incontinence, improve brain health and memory, helps with the respiratory and immune system, energy, vitality, promote better self-care and much more.
#dsq #Downsyndrome #GetActive