Do your kids like to twirl? Ever wondered why? Have you noticed that most parks include some type of spinning apparatus? Welcome to vestibular stimulation. The vestibular nerve is in the inner ear and is responsible for balance, sensing body position, and eye stability. Many kids crave vestibular input. Go for a twirl and enjoy improved balance and body awareness.
Kids Love Easter Yoga. Discover an easy way to take Bunny Breath up a notch by adding in developmentally appropriate levels to stimulate body and mind.
During our weekend workshop Yoga for Preschoolers and Kids with Special Needs we cover a lot of material having to do with developmental milestones and how you can assist children to meet these milestones in creative and fun ways. What is really inspiring is by adding in somatic techniques into your kids yoga classes you are also developing essential neurological pathways and helping the brain to organize itself. Truly a win-win.
This IGTV video explains why you want to add hopping to your Bunny Breath pranayama practice.
Lazy 8 Breath or Infinity Breath is one of my favorite shape breathing techniques. I find this shape extremely soothing. Added bonus is the cross lateral work that connects left and right hemispheres of the brain helping to calm and focus.
When teaching young children provide them a printout which they can trace with their finger as they learn how to practice Lazy 8 Breath.
Once you have learned the technique you can trace an imaginary lazy 8 with your finger on your desk, your hand, your thigh, wherever. Repeat 8 times since it’s a lazy “8”.
This breathing technique is especially effective to calm and focus. Use it before exams to overcome test anxiety and invite a relaxed, alert state of mind.
For more breathing and mindfulness techniques join our Teacher’s Lounge.
Recently I came across a blog post about how to teach yoga and mindfulness to children with hearing loss. Since I’ve worked at a school for the deaf for a number of years I was interested to discover what insights the author might add.
Miss Megan of Learning Lotuses joins us for this episode to chat about yoga for children with hearing loss. She’ll share insights on what to expect as an instructor and how to navigate some potential hurdles. We’ll discuss sensory processing and sensory fatigue, the effective use of FM systems, tips for savasana, and so much more.
Yoga & Mindfulness for Hearing Loss podcast – LISTEN HERE
Yoga In My School podcast on iTunes
If you enjoyed this interview rate and review the show so others can find it.
Here are the 4 webinars included in the Yoga for Children with Special Needs Online Training. You have one month to view them as many times as you’d like. We highly encourage you to print/save the accompanying HANDOUTS. You’ll also find access to the YIMS Yoga for Children with Special Needs Manual via digital download and some suggestions on getting the most out of your YIMS Teacher’s Lounge All Access Pass.
We highly encourage you to use the SEARCH function to access the numerous resources regarding yoga for children with special needs. Topics you’ll want to search include but aren’t limited to:
Each month new content is added to your extensive library of resources. If you have any questions please contact donna@yogainmyschool.com
Certification
Want to receive a Yoga for Special Needs Online Certificate? Includes a 30 minute SKYPE discussion/Q&A with Donna Freeman to solidfy your knowledge plus a homework assignment.
Over the past couple of years I’ve received great feedback regarding the YIMS Yoga for Special Needs course and manual. For those attending the workshop there was lots of time for hands-on experience and interaction to explain the various activities and expand on the notes in the manual. However many who bought the manual online asked for more.
We’re please to announce that we have expanded and revised the YIMS Yoga for Special Needs Manual and it is now available for purchase online as an environmentally friendly PDF download.
The new version includes everything from before:
7 Tips to Teaching Yoga to Children w Special Needs
the Most Powerful Message and Most Powerful Tool at your disposal
suggested breathing toys and props
core musculature discussion and tips to improve
4 B’s of Self Calming
Affirmations
Visualizations
Mindfulness
description of Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and FASD
techniques for working with each diagnosis
classroom management tips
research supporting effect of yoga for children with special needs
Plus so much MORE:
more breathing exercises & games with full descriptions
specific poses to develop core musculature
affirmation worksheet
sample guided visualization
all new meditation section
extensive yoga techniques for sensory processing
safe variations of yoga poses with instructions
Kundalini Kriyas
fun & engaging yoga games
links to videos, interviews and more
our recommended resources including books, flashcards and webinars
Every page is packed with yoga and mindfulness techniques to use as complementary therapy when working with differently abled children .
Yoga for Children with Special Needs Manual
Discover how to effectively use yoga based techniques as a complementary therapy for children with special needs. Understand the needs and challenges and explore creative, fun ways of engaging and supporting children with special needs in the practice of yoga. Covers specifics for Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, Cerebral palsy and FASD. 51 full color pg PDF.
This is one of four modules to earning your RCYT designation. When held at Prana Yoga count toward 500-RYT with Prana Yoga. Always counts toward 500-RYT with Ambassador Yoga Edmonton.
Learn how to teach the youngest yogis as well as those with emotional and mental challenges techniques to control impulsivity and self-regulate.
After attending this workshop you’ll know how to:
use music effectively in kids yoga classes
integrate early literacy skills into your yoga classes
adapt yoga poses to meet students needs and abilities
effectively use yoga as a complementary therapy for children with special needs.
This experiential workshop will provide a foundation to promote the healthy development of the hearts, minds and bodies preschoolers as well as individuals diagnosed with:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism
Down syndrome
Mild Cerebral palsy
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
Understand the needs and challenges and explore creative, fun ways of engaging and supporting children with special needs in the practice of yoga.
“I enjoyed my two days with Donna. I can use many of the yoga poses/games in my class on Monday morning.” – Susan Woelber
“You have inspired me. This course material has helped me better understand the reasons of using yoga with the children I work with and my own practice.” – Carla Brown
Donna Freeman hosts as Karma Carpenter Shea of K-12yoga.org leads a discussion about how mindfulness and yoga in schools foster positive behavior and youth leadership skills.
Discover how to develop leadership skills, improve self-regulation and build social emotional skills in children. Teaching mindfulness and yoga skills in schools reaches 100% of kids, as well as teachers, parents and the greater community helping all to live healthier lives, get along better, reduce anxiety and succeed at life’s many challenges.
Special guests include Amy Haysman of Grounded and Susan Solvang of Growing Minds.
For more information about Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) visit PBIS.org
Trauma Informed Parenting with Hala Khouri November 10, 2022
The incredible Hala Khouri is our guest in this episode of the Yoga In My School podcast.Hala brings her extensive expertise in somatic experiencing, psychology, social justice, movement, and mindfulness as we discuss trauma informed parenting. Discover parenting with curiosity and awareness of our own conditioning so we can be more sensitive to the complex […]
