Mindful Movement: Discover Cadabam's Adapted Yoga for ADHD Support

Why Consider Yoga for ADHD at Cadabam’s?

Integrating yoga into an ADHD support plan offers unique benefits, and choosing Cadabam’s CDC ensures a specialized and supportive experience:

• Experienced and Knowledgeable Instructors/Therapists: Our yoga guides are not only certified yoga teachers (RYT) but also possess specific training and/or extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental differences. They understand the common challenges and are skilled in adapting yoga practices for children/individuals with ADHD effectively and compassionately. Some may hold advanced credentials like Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT).
• Targeted Focus on ADHD-Specific Goals: While traditional yoga offers broad benefits, our Yoga for ADHD programs are intentionally designed to address areas commonly impacted by ADHD. We focus on developing yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation in ADHD , increasing body awareness, managing impulsivity, channeling hyperactive energy constructively , and supporting emotional balance .
• Non-Competitive, Accepting, and Fun Environment: Our classes emphasize self-acceptance, mindful effort over perfect poses, and present-moment awareness. We create a safe space free from judgment, encouraging individuals to explore movement and mindfulness at their own pace. Especially for children, we prioritize making Yoga for ADHD engaging and enjoyable.
• Valuable Complementary Approach: We clearly position using yoga as a complementary therapy for ADHD . It works synergistically alongside conventional evidence-based treatments like behavioural therapy, occupational therapy, medication (if used), and psychotherapy, enhancing overall well-being rather than replacing primary interventions.
• Holistic Well-being Benefits: Yoga for ADHD addresses the interconnectedness of mind, body, and emotions. Participants can experience physical benefits (strength, flexibility, balance), mental benefits (improved focus, reduced stress), and emotional benefits (enhanced self-awareness, better regulation).
• Integration Within Cadabam's Ecosystem: Our yoga instructors collaborate (with consent) with other therapists and specialists within Cadabam's, ensuring a cohesive approach to care and reinforcing skills across different therapeutic modalities.

Choosing Yoga for ADHD at Cadabam’s means accessing a specialized program delivered by knowledgeable instructors within a supportive, holistic framework designed to complement your overall ADHD management plan.

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Cultivating Calm & Clarity: Yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation in ADHD

One of the primary benefits of Yoga for ADHD lies in its ability to train the mind and body to work together, fostering greater focus and enhancing self-regulation. Specific yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation in ADHD leverage the inherent mind-body connection.

Harnessing the Mind-Body Connection: Yoga fundamentally teaches that the state of the body affects the state of the mind, and vice versa. Practices involve bringing conscious awareness to physical sensations, breath patterns, and mental activity, creating opportunities to interrupt cycles of distraction or emotional reactivity common in ADHD.

Specific Yoga Techniques Applied for ADHD Focus and Regulation:

1. Asanas (Physical Poses): Poses are chosen and adapted to challenge and build attention and regulatory skills:
   • Holding Poses (Static Holds): Requiring sustained focus to maintain alignment and balance in poses like Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II), Triangle Pose (Trikonasana), or even simpler stances like Mountain Pose (Tadasana) builds concentration 'muscle' and endurance. The need to attend to multiple body parts simultaneously anchors attention.
   • Balancing Poses: Poses like Tree Pose (Vrksasana) or Eagle Pose (Garudasana) directly demand unwavering focus. Even slight mental drift leads to physical instability, providing immediate feedback and reinforcing the need for concentration. These also enhance proprioception (body awareness).
   • Grounding/Calming Poses: Forward folds (like Uttanasana or Paschimottanasana - adapted) and restorative poses like Child's Pose (Balasana) can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calmness and helping manage feelings of overwhelm or overstimulation often experienced with ADHD.
   • Strength-Building Poses: Poses like Plank or Chair Pose (Utkatasana) build physical strength and require mental focus and determination, fostering resilience.
2. Mindfulness Within Movement:
   • Instead of just going through the motions, Yoga for ADHD emphasizes paying attention to the sensations of movement – how muscles stretch, how joints feel, the contact of feet on the ground during transitions between poses. This anchors attention in the present physical experience, reducing mental chatter.
3. Guided Relaxation (Savasana and Yoga Nidra):
   • While complete stillness can be challenging, guided relaxation practices are crucial for teaching conscious rest and regulation. Adaptations are key : starting with shorter durations, using guided imagery, focusing on body scans (bringing awareness to different body parts), or using weighted blankets can make Savasana (Corpse Pose) more accessible. Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) offers a structured guided meditation fostering deep relaxation. This practice directly teaches the skill of shifting from activity to rest, a vital regulation skill.
4. Breath Awareness and Control (Pranayama):
   • The breath is the ultimate anchor to the present moment. Specific yoga breathing exercises (detailed in Section VII) are fundamental yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation in ADHD. Consciously regulating the breath directly influences the nervous system, promoting calmness and enhancing concentration.

Through consistent practice of these yoga techniques, individuals with ADHD can develop greater capacity for sustained attention, improved body awareness, and enhanced ability to self-regulate their energy levels and emotional responses, both on and off the yoga mat. Yoga for ADHD builds internal resources for calm and clarity.

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Purposeful Motion: Benefits of mindful movement and yoga for ADHD hyperactivity

Hyperactivity, restlessness, and the need to move are hallmark features of ADHD for many individuals. Rather than trying solely to suppress this energy, Yoga for ADHD offers constructive ways to channel it through purposeful, mindful movement, highlighting the potential benefits of mindful movement and yoga for ADHD hyperactivity .

Channeling Energy Constructively:

• Structured Outlet: Yoga provides a framework for movement that is organized and purposeful, unlike the often undirected or disruptive movement associated with hyperactivity. It gives the body a 'job' to do.
• Variety of Movement: A well-adapted yoga practice can incorporate both dynamic, flowing sequences and strong, held postures, offering different ways to engage the body and expend physical energy appropriately.

Mindful Movement in Yoga for ADHD Hyperactivity:

1. Adapted Vinyasa (Flow):
   • Linking breath with movement in flowing sequences (like Sun Salutations - simplified or modified) can be highly engaging for individuals who thrive on motion.
   • The need to coordinate breath and movement requires focus and sequencing, subtly challenging executive functions while allowing for physical expression. Adapting yoga practices might involve shorter flows, clear verbal cues, and repetition to aid learning.
2. Developing Interoceptive Awareness Through Movement:
   • Engaging in various yoga movements helps individuals become more attuned to their internal bodily sensations – noticing when they feel energetic, tired, calm, fidgety, or grounded.
   • This increased awareness (interoception) is the first step towards learning to consciously manage energy levels and recognize the need for movement or rest.
3. Increased Proprioceptive Awareness:
   • Yoga poses, especially weight-bearing ones (like Plank, Downward-Facing Dog) and balancing poses, provide strong proprioceptive feedback (input to muscles and joints). This can enhance body awareness, helping individuals better understand where their body is in space, potentially reducing unintentional clumsiness or bumping into things often seen with hyperactivity and coordination issues.
4. Mindful Action, Not Just Stillness:
   • A key benefit is learning to bring awareness into activity. Yoga for ADHD teaches how to move with intention and attention, rather than purely aiming for stillness after movement ceases. This skill is highly transferable to daily life – being more mindful while walking, playing, or even doing chores.
5. Post-Movement Calm:
   • Engaging in structured physical activity like yoga often leads to a natural period of increased calm and focus afterward, as the nervous system regulates. The practice itself can help discharge restless energy, making subsequent stillness (like in Savasana or during quiet activities post-yoga) more accessible.

Instead of fighting the urge to move, Yoga for ADHD harnesses it. The benefits of mindful movement and yoga for ADHD hyperactivity lie in providing a structured, self-aware outlet for physical energy, enhancing body awareness, and ultimately supporting better focus and regulation.

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Tailoring the Practice: Adapting yoga practices for children/individuals with ADHD

Traditional yoga classes, often emphasizing long holds, quiet stillness, and complex instructions, may not be immediately accessible or engaging for individuals with ADHD. Adapting yoga practices for children/individuals with ADHD is absolutely essential for creating a positive, beneficial, and sustainable experience. Our instructors at Cadabam's are skilled in making these necessary modifications.

Why Adaptation is Key for Yoga for ADHD:

• Attention Spans: Individuals with ADHD often have shorter attention spans for non-preferred or passively received information. Sessions need to remain engaging.
• Need for Movement/Engagement: Long periods of static holding or quiet lecture can be challenging and lead to disengagement or restlessness.
• Potential Sensory Sensitivities: Some individuals may be sensitive to sounds, lights, textures, or types of touch used in yoga settings.
• Difficulty with Stillness: The expectation of perfect stillness, especially initially, can be unrealistic and discouraging.
• Impulsivity: May lead to rushing through poses or difficulty following multi-step instructions.
• Motor Planning Challenges: Some individuals may find complex sequences or poses difficult to learn.

Specific Adaptations Used in Cadabam's Yoga for ADHD Programs:

1. Structure and Pacing:
   • Shorter Sessions/Sequences: Breaking the practice into smaller, more manageable segments with clear transitions.
   • Predictable Routine: Establishing a familiar class structure (e.g., opening breath, warm-up, poses, relaxation) provides security and reduces anxiety.
   • Visual Timers/Schedules: Using visual aids to show how much time is left in an activity or what's coming next.
2. Movement and Engagement:
   • More Dynamic Movement: Incorporating flowing sequences (Vinyasa - adapted) and transitions, especially near the beginning of class, to engage energy constructively (Benefits of mindful movement and yoga for ADHD hyperactivity).
   • Playful Themes and Storytelling (Especially for Children): Weaving poses into imaginative stories, games, or journeys (e.g., "visiting the jungle" with animal poses).
   • Music: Using carefully selected music (calming or upbeat as appropriate) to enhance mood and engagement, while being mindful of potential auditory sensitivities.
3. Instructional Style:
   • Clear, Concise Cues: Using simple language and breaking down instructions for poses into single steps.
   • Visual Demonstration: Clearly modeling poses and sequences.
   • Visual Aids: Using pose cards, pictures, or drawings.
   • Repetition: Repeating instructions and key sequences to aid learning and memory.
4. Use of Props:
   • Utilizing props like blocks (for stability/reach), straps (for flexibility), bolsters/blankets (for support/comfort/grounding), and even weighted blankets during relaxation can make poses more accessible and enhance sensory input.
5. Individualization and Choice:
   • Offering Modifications: Providing variations for poses to accommodate different abilities and energy levels.
   • Respecting Individual Needs: Allowing breaks when needed, validating effort over "perfect" alignment, offering choices within activities where possible.
   • Partner Poses: Carefully incorporating partner activities can enhance engagement, cooperation, and shared focus for some.
6. Focus on Fun, Success, and Self-Compassion:
   • Creating a lighthearted, non-judgmental atmosphere.
   • Minimizing pressure to perform poses perfectly.
   • Celebrating effort, participation, and small successes.
   • Explicitly teaching self-compassion when challenges arise.
7. Sensory Environment Awareness:
   • Being mindful of lighting levels, room temperature, noise levels, and the texture of mats or props to minimize potential sensory triggers.

By thoughtfully adapting yoga practices, our instructors make Yoga for ADHD accessible, engaging, and effective, allowing participants to reap the benefits of this powerful mind-body discipline.

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A Holistic Piece of the Puzzle: Using yoga as a complementary therapy for ADHD emotional regulation

While Yoga for ADHD is not a cure or a replacement for primary evidence-based treatments, it serves as a powerful complementary therapy, particularly effective in supporting ADHD emotional regulation . Its unique mind-body approach offers tools and insights that enhance overall emotional well-being.

Positioning Yoga: Complementary, Not Curative: It's essential to understand that yoga supports ADHD management; it doesn't replace the need for potential medication management (prescribed by a psychiatrist), behavioural therapy, psychotherapy (like CBT), or educational supports. Instead, using yoga as a complementary therapy for ADHD means integrating its benefits alongside these other approaches for a more holistic strategy.

How Yoga for ADHD Specifically Aids Emotional Regulation:

1. Enhanced Self-Awareness (Mindfulness):
   • Yoga practices inherently cultivate mindfulness – paying attention to the present moment (body sensations, breath, thoughts, emotions) without judgment.
   • This helps individuals with ADHD become better observers of their internal state, noticing subtle signs of rising frustration, anxiety, or overwhelm before these emotions escalate into reactive behaviours. Recognizing the feeling is the first step to managing it.
2. Nervous System Regulation (Stress Reduction):
   • Specific yoga techniques, particularly conscious breathing (pranayama) and relaxation practices, directly stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system – the body's "rest and digest" mode.
   • This counteracts the chronic stress response often associated with ADHD challenges, promoting physiological calmness and reducing overall reactivity.
3. Developing Distress Tolerance:
   • Physically holding challenging yoga poses (asanas) requires staying present with discomfort (muscle fatigue, balance instability) without immediately giving up.
   • This practice builds mental and physical resilience, metaphorically teaching individuals how to tolerate difficult sensations and emotions off the mat without needing to escape or react impulsively.
4. Cultivating Non-Judgmental Observation:
   • Mindfulness practices within yoga encourage observing thoughts and feelings as temporary events passing through awareness, rather than identifying directly with them or needing to act on every impulse or negative thought. This detachment can significantly lessen the power of impulsive emotional reactions.
5. Improving Frustration Tolerance:
   • Working through the physical challenges of learning new poses or holding difficult ones provides opportunities to practice managing frustration in a safe, supportive environment. Learning to breathe through difficulty on the mat translates to coping with challenges off the mat.
6. Embodied Emotional Processing:
   • Sometimes, emotions are held physically in the body. Mindful movement and stretching can facilitate a gentle release of physical tension associated with stress or suppressed emotions, contributing to a greater sense of emotional ease.

Integration with Other Therapies: The skills cultivated in Yoga for ADHD directly support goals often targeted in other therapies:

• Behavioural Therapy: Increased self-awareness from yoga can help individuals better recognize antecedents to challenging behaviours. Breathing techniques can be used as coping strategies taught in BT.
• CBT: Mindfulness skills are a core component of many modern CBT approaches (like ACT, DBT). Yoga provides an embodied way to practice these skills. Increased awareness of thoughts/feelings supports cognitive restructuring.
• OT: Enhanced body awareness (proprioception, interoception) gained through yoga complements OT goals related to sensory regulation and motor control.

By using yoga as a complementary therapy for ADHD emotional regulation, individuals gain practical, embodied tools to navigate their inner landscape with greater awareness, resilience, and calm.

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The Anchor Within: Yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) for ADHD calming and concentration

Perhaps one of the most immediate and accessible tools offered by Yoga for ADHD is pranayama – the practice of conscious breath regulation. Specific yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) for ADHD calming and concentration provide a powerful way to anchor attention, influence the nervous system, and promote a state of focused calm.

Pranayama Explained: More Than Just Breathing: Pranayama involves intentionally manipulating the breath's rhythm, depth, and pace. Physiologically, the way we breathe has a direct impact on our autonomic nervous system:

• Shallow, rapid breathing: Often associated with stress, activates the sympathetic ("fight or flight") response.
• Deep, slow, diaphragmatic breathing: Stimulates the vagus nerve and activates the parasympathetic ("rest and digest") response, promoting relaxation and reducing physiological arousal.

Why Pranayama is Particularly Beneficial for ADHD:

• Grounds Attention: The physical sensation of the breath is always available in the present moment. Focusing on the inhale and exhale provides a concrete anchor for a mind prone to wandering.
• Immediate Calming Tool: Unlike some strategies that take time to implement, conscious breathing can shift the nervous system state within minutes, making it useful for managing impulsivity, frustration, or overwhelm in real-time.
• Improves Focus: The act of consciously controlling the breath requires concentration, effectively exercising the "attention muscle."
• Simple and Portable: Breathing exercises require no special equipment and can be practiced almost anywhere – at a school desk, before a test, during a moment of frustration.

Simple, ADHD-Friendly Yoga Breathing Exercises (Pranayama) Taught at Cadabam's:

Adaptation is key; techniques must be simple, engaging, and easy to learn:

1. Diaphragmatic Breathing ("Belly Breathing"):
   • Technique: Lie down or sit comfortably. Place one hand on the belly and one on the chest. Inhale slowly through the nose, feeling the belly rise (chest stays relatively still). Exhale slowly through the nose or mouth, feeling the belly fall.
   • Benefit: Highly effective for activating the parasympathetic response, very calming and grounding. Easy for children to learn ("Belly Buddy Breathing" with a stuffed animal on the belly).
2. Three-Part Breath (Dirga Pranayama - Simplified):
   • Technique: Inhale first into the belly, then allow the breath to expand into the rib cage, and finally into the upper chest. Exhale slowly in reverse order. Can be taught in stages.
   • Benefit: Increases breath awareness and lung capacity, promotes fuller, calmer breathing pattern.
3. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana - Simplified/Without Retention):
   • Technique: Use the thumb and ring finger to gently close one nostril at a time, inhaling through one and exhaling through the other, then switching. Start with simple inhale-left/exhale-right, inhale-right/exhale-left cycles.
   • Benefit: Believed to balance the nervous system and enhance focus. The physical act of switching nostrils also requires concentration.
4. Bumble Bee Breath (Bhramari):
   • Technique: Sit comfortably, close eyes lightly. Inhale deeply. On the exhale, make a gentle humming sound like a bee. Fingers can lightly cover eyes/ears to enhance internal focus (optional, consider sensory sensitivities).
   • Benefit: The vibration and sound can be very calming and soothing, helping to internalize focus and block external distractions. Often enjoyable for kids.
5. Counting the Breath:
   • Technique: Simply pay attention to the natural breath and mentally count each inhale and exhale cycle up to 5 or 10, then start again. Or count the length of the inhale and exhale (e.g., inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 4-6 counts).
   • Benefit: A straightforward mindfulness technique to anchor attention and gently regulate breath pace.

Integration is Key: In Yoga for ADHD, these breathing exercises are not just practiced in isolation but are integrated throughout the session – used to center at the beginning, linked with movement during poses, and emphasized during relaxation. Teaching pranayama for ADHD calming and concentration provides individuals with a readily available, powerful self-regulation tool.

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What an Adapted Yoga Session for ADHD Might Involve at Cadabam's

A typical Yoga for ADHD class at Cadabam’s looks different from a standard adult yoga class, incorporating necessary adaptations to maximize engagement and benefit. While varying based on age group and specific goals, a session might follow this general structure:

1. Arrival & Check-in (Short & Engaging):
   • A brief, structured welcome.
   • A quick check-in activity to gauge current energy levels and mood (e.g., "Show me with your hands how big your energy feels today," choosing an 'emotion card'). Helps build self-awareness.
2. Centering & Breathwork (Pranayama Focus):
   • Starting with a short (1-3 minutes), simple, and engaging breathing exercise (like Belly Breathing or Bumble Bee Breath) to anchor attention and signal the start of practice.
3. Warm-up (Dynamic Movement):
   • Incorporating gentle, flowing movements that warm up the body and capture attention. May include sun salutation variations (simplified), cat-cow stretches, or other movements linked with breath to start fostering mindful movement .
4. Asana Practice (Adapted Poses & Flow):
   • The main part of the session, focusing on yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation .
   • A mix of dynamic sequences (flows) and held poses. Holds might be shorter initially, gradually increasing.
   • Use of playful themes, stories, or games (especially for kids) to make poses meaningful (e.g., "Warrior pose makes us feel strong," "Tree pose helps us find balance").
   • Clear, step-by-step instructions and modeling.
   • Incorporation of balancing poses to challenge focus.
   • Offering modifications and use of props (blocks, straps) for accessibility.
   • Partner poses might be included to encourage interaction, depending on the group.
5. Cool-down:
   • Gentle stretches to ease out of more active poses.
   • May include calming forward folds or gentle twists.
6. Relaxation (Savasana - Adapted):
   • A crucial time for integration and practicing stillness, but highly adapted.
   • May be shorter (3-5 minutes initially).
   • Guided imagery or a body scan meditation helps keep the mind gently focused.
   • Options like using weighted blankets, eye pillows, or listening to calming music can enhance the experience and aid regulation. Focus is on trying to be still, not achieving perfect stillness immediately.
7. Check-out & Closing:
   • A brief moment for reflection (e.g., "One thing you noticed in your body today," sharing one word about how they feel).
   • A simple closing ritual (like saying "Namaste").

Throughout the session, the instructor maintains an encouraging, flexible, and understanding tone, celebrating effort and providing positive reinforcement, making Yoga for ADHD a positive and empowering experience.

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Meet Our Cadabam's Yoga Guides

The effectiveness of Yoga for ADHD depends heavily on the instructor's ability to connect with participants and skillfully adapt practices. At Cadabam’s CDC, our yoga guides possess the right blend of yoga expertise and understanding of neurodiversity:

• Yoga Credentials: Our instructors are typically Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) with accredited yoga schools (e.g., RYT-200, RYT-500), indicating foundational training in yoga philosophy, anatomy, and teaching methodology. Some may be Certified Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT), signifying advanced training in applying yoga therapeutically.
• Specialized Training: Crucially, they have sought additional training and certifications in areas relevant to working with ADHD and diverse learners, such as:
  • Children's Yoga
  • Teen Yoga
  • Therapeutic Yoga approaches
  • Trauma-Informed Yoga
  • Yoga for Special Needs / Neurodiversity
  • Mindfulness education
• Experience with ADHD/Neurodiverse Populations: They have practical experience leading yoga sessions for individuals (children, teens, or adults) with ADHD, ASD, anxiety, or other related challenges, understanding how to modify and engage effectively.
• Knowledge of ADHD: They possess a working knowledge of ADHD characteristics, including challenges with attention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, emotional regulation, and sensory processing, enabling them to anticipate needs and adapt yoga practices proactively.
• Compassionate and Patient Approach: Our instructors embody qualities of patience, understanding, flexibility, and non-judgment, creating a safe and supportive environment essential for individuals with ADHD to explore yoga comfortably.
• Collaborative Spirit: They understand the value of using yoga as a complementary therapy and are open to collaborating (with consent) with other professionals on the client's care team at Cadabam's.

Expert Insights – The Adapted Yoga Perspective:

• Quote 1 (Cadabam's Yoga Instructor, Children's Yoga Certified): "The absolute key is adapting yoga practices for ADHD . We use game-based learning, shorter sequences, lots of visuals, and themes to keep kids engaged. It's about making yoga techniques for improving focus and regulation fun and accessible."
• Quote 2 (Cadabam's Yoga Therapist, C-IAYT): "Simple yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) are incredibly powerful for ADHD calming and concentration. I teach techniques like 'Box Breathing' or 'Belly Breathing' that clients can easily incorporate into their daily lives as immediate self-regulation tools."
• Quote 3 (Cadabam's Yoga Instructor, Experience with Teens): "Yoga serves as a fantastic complementary therapy for ADHD emotional regulation . It offers teens a space to connect with their bodies non-judgmentally, practice mindfulness, and develop resilience—skills that support overall mental health alongside other therapies."

Our dedicated yoga guides at Cadabam's ensure that Yoga for ADHD is delivered with expertise, sensitivity, and creativity.

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Success Snippets: Finding Balance and Focus

While individual experiences vary, participants in Yoga for ADHD programs often report positive shifts in focus, regulation, and self-awareness. Here are a few anonymized examples:

• Case Snippet 1: Pre-Test Calm

  • Outcome: A 10-year-old who frequently experienced test anxiety learned several yoga breathing exercises (pranayama) for ADHD calming and concentration in his kids' yoga class. He began practicing 'Belly Breathing' for a few minutes before tests at school and reported feeling noticeably calmer and better able to focus during the exam.

• Case Snippet 2: Channeling Afternoon Energy

  • Outcome: A 14-year-old girl struggled with restlessness and difficulty settling into homework after school (ADHD hyperactivity). Participating in an adapted Vinyasa-style yoga for ADHD class twice a week provided a structured outlet. She found the mindful movement helped her discharge pent-up energy, making it easier to focus on homework afterward.

• Case Snippet 3: Noticing Emotions Sooner

  • Outcome: An adult client attending a mindful yoga for ADHD series reported developing greater body awareness. He became better at noticing the physical sensations associated with rising frustration (e.g., tight shoulders, clenched jaw). This earlier awareness, cultivated through yoga practice, allowed him to implement coping strategies learned in therapy before reacting impulsively, supporting ADHD emotional regulation.

• Case Snippet 4: Improved Focus Through Poses

  • Outcome: A 7-year-old initially struggled to hold any pose for more than a few seconds. Through playful instruction and adapting yoga practices (using shorter holds, partner poses, challenges like Tree Pose), he gradually improved his ability to sustain focus during the yoga class. His parents observed improvements in his ability to stick with other preferred activities for slightly longer durations at home, linking to yoga techniques for improving focus.

These snippets illustrate how the targeted techniques within Yoga for ADHD can translate into meaningful real-world benefits.