Communication with the deaf has taken many different forms over the years, each one suited to a particular set of circumstances.
But when Miss Fay Fenton, who practices at Mt Roskill, began teaching Hatha Yoga at the Mt Eden Deaf Welfare Centre she had to find her own way of expression — without taking advantage of her pupils’ sight faculty.
“Sign language and lip-reading were no good when the audience was lying on its back staring at the ceiling,” Miss Fenton explained, “so I had to find some other way to pass on my instructions.”
Darning stoolA spare darning stool provided the answer.
When she wishes to attract the class’s attention or indicate changes in the routine, Miss Fenton knocks on the wooden floor with the stool and the pupils respond to the vibrations.
“It is quite unusual in Yoga classes to communicate in any way except by speech,” she said. “Normally the instructor keeps up a constant patter as the movements are performed.
“But I have no trouble doing it this way.”
She is not at present a qualified teacher but has been practising Yoga for three years.
“I have derived tremendous benefit from it and I suggested to the DWC that some of their members could also be interested.
“They agreed and I started the class about six months ago.”
At present about 12 people, mainly women, attend and ages vary from 18 to 50.
Miss Fenton says she could cope with a class of about 30, but no more.
“It is important that, when they can, all pupils should be able to see the instructor clearly and if classes grew too large this would become impossible,” she said.
