Yoga Therapy at NESCA – Fall, 2008

Many studies have shown the benefits of yoga for children, particularly those with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, and Anxiety. Mind-body approaches are becoming increasingly popular as a means to directly to address self-regulation, attention, and emotional reactivity.

What is Yoga Therapy?

Yoga offers a holistic approach to healthy development. Yoga based-therapy uses movement, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques to bring children to an awareness of what is happening in their bodies and minds and to provide them with specific tools they can use to regulate themselves. Many children respond better to the body-based approach used in yoga therapy than to traditional talking-based therapies. This method can be especially powerful for kinesthetic learners and those with language processing difficulties.

Yoga therapy can positively impact the following areas:

Executive Functioning

Key components of executive functioning include self-awareness and self- regulation. Through yoga therapy children learn to recognize and gain control over their levels of arousal, attention, and emotional reactivity.

Social Success

As children develop an increased ability to recognize and manage their own activity levels and emotional reactions, they often experience an increase in social success as well as an enhanced sense of ease and confidence in social situations. In all group sessions, cooperative social skill building activities will be emphasized.

Attention

Targeted movements stimulate and integrate areas of the brain involved in learning and paying attention. Breathing exercises and meditation techniques are used to train the mind to relax and concentrate.

Body Awareness

Specific exercises connecting body and mind lead to increased motor planning and understanding of where the body is in space. Through the practice of postures and series of movements, children will gain physical strength, flexibility, and confidence in their bodies.

Small Group Yoga Therapy

The experience of yoga therapy in a group setting encourages cooperative learning and social connection. Cooperative activities, partner yoga and games will be used to develop team-building and social skills. In addition to yoga, children will participate in guided meditations, breathing exercises, and storytelling activities. Social coaching will be provided to guide and support successful interactions within the group. Social and behavioral challenges will be viewed as opportunities to gain insight into each child’s needs and to present effective strategies for self-regulation and social success.

All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate each child. In addition, we ask that parents be available by cell-phone during sessions.

Brief interviews will be conducted with potential participants to determine appropriate group placement. The interview process will include some one-on-one yoga instruction with the child to assess his or her abilities and needs, as well as an interview with the parent(s). If an appropriate group is not immediately available, individual yoga-therapy sessions may be recommended. There is a fee of $75.00 for this interview.

Groups are organized into 6-week sessions, to be scheduled at the convenience of the participants. Children are expected to attend a minimum of one, full 6-week session. Consistent attendance is strongly encouraged.
Cost: $330 prepaid per 6-week session.

Individual Yoga Therapy

Individual appointments may be scheduled at your convenience. Sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of your child. Specific skills and strategies will be taught that your child can use in everyday life to help with self-regulation, concentration, and managing his or her emotions.
Cost: $450 prepaid ($90 per hour for a minimum of five, 1-hour sessions)

Small-group and individual sessions will be led by Hannah Gould, M.Ed., a certified special education teacher as well as a certified yoga teacher. Hannah has taught yoga to children and adults in a variety of settings, and she has developed her yoga-based therapies specifically to serve children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and other developmental concerns.

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact NESCA at (617) 658-9800, or email hgould@nesca-newton.com.