This deeply compassionate and inclusive resource explores the practice of yoga therapy, mindfulness, and somatic enquiry with children and young people who have complex needs. Suitable for working with ages 5-18, the book explores a wide range of conditions, including sensory processing disorder, autism, Down syndrome, hypermobility, scoliosis, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Chapters also include comprehensive theory on the nervous system, child development from the age of 3+, the benefits of expressive arts, and regular reflective prompts for the adults. It is supplemented with over 100 photographs to ease learning and is an invaluable resource for therapists working with children and teens with complex needs.

A how-to manual for yoga with kids in classrooms and therapeutic settings. If you are a parent of a child with special needs or a professional who works with one, you know how challenging it can be for them to sit still, to cope with change, to focus on self-soothing strategies, and to interact successfully with others. For these kids, yoga therapy can provide crucial support. Behavior and focus, strength, flexibility, balance, and self-regulation are all improved through yoga, making it an ideal practice for children on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, sensory processing and emotional/behavioral disorders, and other exceptionalities. For use in school, at home, or in therapeutic settings, Yoga Therapy for Children with Autism and Special Needs is a how-to manual that meets children where they are, providing a yoga therapy "lesson plan" that will engage them; promote play, social interaction, speech, language, and motor development; and enhance their self-esteem. It teaches an array of CreativeRelaxation techniques using posture, breathing, and mindfulness designed specifically for children with autism and special needs. Drawing on her 30 years of yoga therapy experience with children and those who work with them, the author walks readers through yoga strategies that both calm and energize, emphasizing sensory and bodily awareness and the "sacred space" that is so important for these children. Learn the best ways to use your voice and body effectively when working with children; how to minimize distractions and ease transitions; and how to create personalized yoga breaks to enhance independence and avert meltdowns. Featuring 60 illustrated poses, 89 photos, and 65 lessons, songs, and games, child-friendly instructions are provided for posture, breathing, and mindfulness exercises. All poses and routines include suggested adaptations and precautions for use, and are organized to address specific sensory skills. Current research on the benefits of yoga for health and learning is summarized, and readers learn how, through yoga practice, the brain’s response to stress can be effectively mitigated. With this book, parents, therapists, and educators alike have the tools to successfully develop a therapeutic yoga program for the very children who can benefit most from it.

Teaching yoga to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs is easy using this visual how-to handbook. Breaking down yoga instruction pose by pose, body part by body part, breath by breath, this book uses easy-to-understand language and clear photographs to show parents, teachers, yoga instructors, and other professionals how to introduce the life-long benefits of yoga to a child with special needs. These benefits include gaining greater awareness and understanding of the body, learning to self-regulate the nervous system, and developing coping skills to work through difficult emotions such as anger and anxiety. Creative yoga games, activities, relaxation exercises, and chair yoga poses are included to make learning yoga a fun, interactive, and calming experience for children with a wide range of abilities.

Using Yoga Therapy to Promote Mental Health in Children and Adolescents outlines a framework of clinical yoga therapy practice that addresses the whole child, rather than solely the symptoms. The book explores different developmental stages in the growth of children and adolescents, and gives general guidelines on how to adapt yoga practices for the different age groups. Topics covered are chronic pain; mood regulation; eating disorders and body image issues; trauma; suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-injurious behavior; sensory integration; developmental disabilities and hallucinations. Each chapter includes related anecdotes, a review of the research literature and sample yoga practices for symptoms presented. A practice library containing a fully illustrated index of all asanas, pranayamas, and other yoga practices ensure the book provides enough practical guidance. Case studies throughout the book demonstrate practical applications. This book will help yoga therapists and psychotherapists interested in the benefits of yoga understand the latest research, and how it impacts on what they do, thereby giving them the confidence necessary for working with these age groups. Book jacket.

Yoga therapy is gaining rapid recognition as a form of treatment that can improve the physical and mental wellbeing of children with a variety of complex needs. This book contains a specially-designed yoga program for use with children of all abilities, and provides both parents and professionals with the knowledge they need to carry out the therapy themselves. The program consists of a series of postures, each of which is explained and accompanied by an illustration. The postures are designed to help children understand and use their bodies, and work towards positive changes such as realigning the spine, encouraging eye-contact, and promoting calm and steady breathing. Consideration is given to creating the right setting for carrying out the therapy, assessing an individual child's particular needs, and making the sessions fun using games and props. Sections on yoga therapy for specific conditions such as autistic spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy are included, and the book concludes with child and parent reports on how the program has worked for them, and a list of useful contacts and resources. This practical book is a must for parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals, and anybody else who wants to help a child to develop through enjoyable and therapeutic yoga sessions.

This evidence-based and trauma-informed resource allows professionals working with children and teens to apply sensory yoga as a holistic and effective tool in addressing symptoms of trauma, toxic stress, anxiety, depression, and related mental health conditions. Based on the Sensory and Mindfulness-based Yoga for Learning Environments (SMYLETM) model, this training program can easily be adopted by a wide range of professionals and applied to various settings, including schools, yoga classes, community centres, and group homes. In reducing stress, emotional dysregulation, and symptoms of hypervigilance and trauma, children and teens are able to benefit from a maintained state of calm and focus, and a heightened sense of self-worth and empowerment allowing for the long-term development of consistent healthy habits and routines.

Designed to address specific areas of difficulty for children, teens and young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the 46 exercises in this comprehensive program are proven to improve body image, motor coordination, posture, muscular and cardiovascular fitness. The boost to confidence, relationships and general wellbeing resulting from this will be transformative for individuals with ASD and their families. Used extensively in homes, schools and specialist ASD programs, the exercises require minimal equipment and can be used in a wide range of settings. Accompanied by clear instructions and explanatory cartoon illustrations, they are easy for non-specialists to follow and can be used just as effectively with groups or individuals. Packed with helpful advice from the author, an ASD fitness specialist, as well as inspiring case studies and guidelines on adapting the exercises for different ages and abilities, this popular program contains everything needed to get minds and bodies active while having fun!