MYSORE: It's a novel idea supported by novel equipment: a gym for the visually challenged. Dispensing with the idea that being physically fit and boasting of an eight-pack is the domain of normal people, Mysore is getting a new special gym that will be extended to other disabled persons later. The gym, said to be the first such in the state, is an initiative of Divya Jyothi Charitable Trust. Trust founder M A Shivaprakash told STOI: "Even the visually challenged have to maintain physical fitness. But none of the gyms cater to this section because of the safety factor. So I came up with this idea." The Trust does not have a field for the visually challenged to take up physical exercises. But students who utilize its library are trained in yoga and pranayama. The gym will attract the visually challenged to tone up their bodies, and will be free of cost, said Shivaprakash. The gym equipment has already arrived and is yet to be installed. A sponsor had given a treadmill, vibrating machine, shoulder press, chest bench, dumbbells, abdominal machine and other equipment worth Rs 3.5 lakh. The equipment has to be altered to suit the needs of the visually challenged, keeping their safety in mind. "We have a trainer and are interacting with physical fitness experts to guide us in this matter. The gym will be ready in another month or so," added Shivaprakash. The Trust is also taking tips from Bangalore-based visually challenged gym trainer Raghu. Initially, the yoga teacher will also manage the gym. Source: Times Of India
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