Introduction to Yoga for Special Needs

Yoga for special needs learners provides specific modifications for the improvement of posture of the child and his or her overall physical, emotional and mental health. It enhances utilisation of muscles, bone strength, and coordination and also enhances the child’s mood, concentration and behaviour. The elements of gentle positions and breathing enhance self-confidence and overall personal development.

Signs Your Child Might Need Yoga

Difficulty with Motor Skills

Beneficial effects of yoga include better coordination and tones muscles in children with impaired motor skills, there is no competition or comparative judgment.

Sensory Processing Issues

Yoga gives these children a quiet place to work on responses to sensory input; hypersensitive children can benefit a lot from the practice of yoga.

Behavioral and Emotional Regulation Challenges

Yoga helps students to learn proper ways of managing emotions thus helping children who have issues with troubling behaviors.

Social Interaction Difficulties

Yoga classes for kids with special needs provide a structured environment where children of this age can interact socially.

Cognitive Delays

Yoga is therefore beneficial in that it helps improve the brain’s ability to focus by incorporating lates and useful motions repeatedly to support the learning process.

Anxiety or Stress

Yoga brings interventions of relaxation for a child with special needs aiming at decreasing concern and stress.

Challenges with Focus and Attention

It helps child patients with attention disorders to develop their ability to focus mainly through meeting via Kundalini yoga.

Physical Imbalances or Asymmetries

Yoga offers simple, gentle touches, and poses that will improve motor skill and flexibility for children.

Poor Sleep Patterns

Yoga can help set the relaxing pre-sleep pattern and assist in granting better quality sleep to a child who has difficulties with insomnia or exogenous sleep disturbances.

Low Self-Esteem

Yoga helps shape the right attitude towards the body and generates a healthy positive body image among children with special needs which in turn positively impacts their self-esteem.

When to Seek a Professional Yoga Instructor

Selecting the proper time to visit a professional children's yoga instructor can enhance the physical and mental health of a child. Visit a professional if your child is interested in yoga, requires assistance with flexibility or concentration, or desires a stress-relieving activity. A professional children's yoga instructor can offer exercises suitable for the age of the child to offer a safe and fun experience that is ideal for your child's needs.

Selecting the Right Yoga Specialist for Your Child

Select a professional who has prior experience in working with children like your kid and one who has the necessary certification to do the job effectively.

Identify Specific Needs

Find out your child’s needs, for instance, motor skills or emotional issues, social skills before you locate a yoga teacher who can handle your child.

Seek Recommendations

Parent, therapist, or any doctor who works with a child with a disability may help refer you to the right yoga specialists.

Check Qualifications

Our instructor who leads the yoga class has certifications in yoga and either special education or therapy for learning and developmental disabilities.

Experience with Special Needs

Children with special needs are also welcome; our therapists assure us that they are trained to handle them in case of any difficulty.

Communication Skills

Commenting is very important in therapy. The instructor should communicate well with you as the parent or guardian and the child, having patience and understanding.

Safety and Environment

Check that all the devices and facilities required for the class and further physical activity of children are properly provided in the yoga class.

Observation or Trial Class

Attend an observation or trial class to evaluate the instructor’s interaction with your child and assess if the class meets your expectations.

Assess Adaptability

Choose a teacher who will be able to adapt the yoga postures and methods to your child's level to give a customised and positive experience.

Parental Involvement

Find an instructor who encourages parental involvement, providing guidance on how you can support your child’s yoga practice at home.

Feedback Mechanism

Make sure the teacher has some method of giving regular feedback on your child's progress and is willing to discuss any issues or changes.

Commitment to Professional Development

Choose an instructor who stays updated with ongoing education in yoga and special needs therapy, demonstrating a commitment to their professional growth.

Insurance and Policies

Verify that the yoga instructor has appropriate insurance coverage and clear policies regarding cancellations, emergencies, and confidentiality.

Meet Our Expert Yoga Specialist for Your Child

Yoga Techniques and Activities for Kids

Animal and Nature Poses

Techniques: Select yoga poses that are inspired by nature or based on animal which are designed to imitate unique movement and characterstics.

Activities:

Animal Safari: Start a fictional story, wherein you can add poses like, for example, Lion roaring, Elephant with swinging arms, and Frog by hopping.

Nature Walk: Assume you are walking outdoors and use postures such as Tree (standing), Mountain (ascending), and Sun Salutation (rising sun).

Storytelling with Yoga

Techniques:

Integrate yoga poses into engaging narratives where each pose symbolises different parts of a story.

Activities:

Adventure Tale: Tell stories with poses like Warrior (bravery), Boat (sailing), and Bridge (crossing rivers).

Day in the Life: Narrate daily routines using poses like Bed (waking up) and Wheel (playing).

Yoga Songs and Music

Techniques:

Incorporate music with guided lyrics to lead children through yoga poses.

Activities:

Pose-along Songs: Sing songs describing specific poses for children to follow along.

Musical Yoga: Play music and tell children to hold poses when the music stops.

Breathing Exercises

Techniques:

Teach them different breathing techniques which can help them with relaxation and concentration.

Activities:

Balloon Breathing: Guide children to inflate and deflate their belly with deep breaths.

Bumblebee Breathing: Have children hum like a bumblebee exhale to experience calming vibrations.

Yoga Dice Game

Techniques:

Utilise dice featuring yoga poses for an interactive and enjoyable game.

Activities:

Roll and Pose: Roll the dice and perform the pose shown, adding a timer for an element of challenge.

Partner Yoga

Techniques:

Engage in poses that require two participants, promoting balance and teamwork.

Activities:

Mirror Poses: Partner up to mirror each other’s poses accurately.

Assisted Stretch: Support each other in poses like Double Tree or assisted Downward Dog for enhanced flexibility.

Yoga Obstacle Courses

Techniques:

Create courses with yoga-inspired challenges to promote physical activity and skill development.

Activities:

Pose Stations: Complete specific poses at designated stations with fun elements like crawling under a string for Cobra pose or jumping over pillows for Frog pose.

Timed Course: Challenge children to complete the course swiftly while maintaining proper pose execution.

Relaxation and Visualisation

Techniques:

Guide children through calming visualisations to promote relaxation and mental clarity.

Activities:

Magic Carpet Ride: Lead a visualisation exercise where children imagine flying on a magic carpet over various landscapes.

Quiet Forest: Describe a tranquil forest scene for children to visualise while lying down and relaxing.

Crafts and Yoga

Techniques:

Combine artistic activities with yoga practices for creative expression and engagement.

Activities:

Pose Cards: Encourage children to draw or paint yoga poses on cards for games or choosing poses.

Mat Decorating: Allow children to personalise their yoga mats using markers, stickers, or other craft materials.

Mindfulness Activities

Techniques:

Incorporate simple mindfulness exercises into routines to enhance focus and self-awareness.

Activities:

Mindful Eating: Guide children through mindful eating exercises with small snacks to explore tastes and textures.

Mindful Walking: Set up a mindful walking path where children focus on each step and ground sensations.

How Does Yoga Benefit Children?

Yoga offers numerous benefits for children by strengthening their physical health through improving strength, flexibility and coordination. It promotes emotional well-being by teaching relaxation techniques and encouraging self-regulation of emotions.

Through mindfulness practises, yoga also improves mental focus and concentration, which enhances academic performance and cognitive development.

Success Stories: Real-Life Improvements After Yoga

Online vs. In-Person Therapy for Yoga

Online Therapy: Convenient access from anywhere, flexible scheduling and customised sessions via secure platforms.

In-Person Therapy: Direct interaction, hands-on adjustments, and immersive group dynamics in a supportive environment.

Why Cadabam’s CDC?

Watching your child navigate through stress or developmental issues can be unsettling, and we understand your concerns. Cadabam Child Development Centre offers yoga for children, a holistic approach that promotes both physical and emotional well-being. Through fun and engaging yoga sessions, children can improve their flexibility, concentration and emotional balance.

If you are someone looking for an expert who can support your child's mental health or developmental challenges, then Cadabam's Child Development Centre or CDC can be a great choice. Here, we have a team of specialists who have years of experience in helping and grooming a child's unique potential in a safe, encouraging, and inclusive environment. We offer comprehensive services, including screening, assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and intervention, to address various developmental and behavioural concerns.

Contact us today at +91 95355 85588 to learn how we can support your child's journey toward a healthier and happier life.