Every parent carries a quiet dream — that their child will one day walk into the world with confidence, doing something they love, and being met with kindness. But for some parents, this dream comes with questions. Not because they love less, but because the world can feel uncertain, even unkind.

When Aryta Persaud gave birth to her daughter, Anasuya Sarma (fondly named Anu), in 2006, she felt all the love a new mother can hold. But layered under that joy was something else — a heaviness she hadn’t prepared for. Anu had been born with Down Syndrome, and suddenly, the future seemed full of unknowns.

Aryta wasn’t unfamiliar with challenges. As a business educator, she was used to solving problems and breaking down complexity. But this was different. This was personal. And in those early days, the questions came fast and heavy: Would Anu ever lead an independent life? What kind of opportunities would she have? Would people see her for who she is, or only for her diagnosis?

She and her husband, Raj, began reaching out to other families. Not for answers, necessarily, but for glimpses of possibility. What they received in return were stories — not of perfection, but of persistence. Children who learned slowly but surely. Families that celebrated small wins. And through those stories, something quietly shifted. Fear turned into curiosity. Worry gave way to hope.

From that place, Aryta began to imagine — not just what Anu might need, but who she could become.

From yoga mats to lemonade stands: building skills, one moment at a time

Determined to give Anu the tools she’d need to move through the world, Aryta introduced her to yoga at a young age. The idea wasn’t performance — it........

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