Our prior work experiences as pediatric occupational therapists serve as an excellent background to develop a holistic approach to use the practice of yoga to address individual needs and to accommodate mild to severe delays in cognitive, social-emotional, communication and motor areas. At abilitYoga, each therapeutic yoga session is designed to help children with disabilities attain the following
:
Improved self-regulation and grounding through singing,
Proper breathing exercises,
Improved motor skills via the use of yoga postures, and
Guided deep relaxation including the use of soothing, calming music (e.g., chinese bamboo music) to assimilate all of the benefits achieved during the session. The methodology used at abilitYoga is based on Sonia Sumar's Yoga for the Special Child (R) program. This program provides a safe and stimulating approach for relaxation and movement that fosters well-being and development in children through mind and body integration. Services provided by abilitYoga include the following:
Evaluation: to determine the appropriate yoga program for placing a child with special needs. The evaluation process includes a questionnaire to be filled out by parents or care-givers relating to the child’s medical and learning history, followed by an evaluation of the child's motor-skills. Individual treatment sessions: Typically, the provider works directly with the child in individual sessions. Once the routine is familiar, the child may be moved to an appropriate group setting, if one is available. Group treatment sessions: Once a child is ready, he or she is "mainstreamed" into an appropriate group setting. The teaching method in general is non-competitive, getting each child to perform at his or her personal best with emphasis on harmony and cooperation while developing self-confidence and mutual trust.
