Yoga Therapy for Every Special Child
This comprehensive guide provides gentle yoga postures and exercisesthat can help to promote relaxation, flexibility, strength,coordination, and body awareness in children with special needs. Eachposture is accompanied by a line drawing demonstrating the posture. Theauthor offers her knowledge of how each posture supports the individualchild's needs and abilities. She also outlines the specificbenefits of yoga for a wide range of conditions, including AttentionDeficit Disorder, ASD, Cerebral Palsy, social communicationdifficulties, Down's syndrome, and scoliosis. Practical tips forincorporating creative fun and games into yoga sessions areincluded.
This wonderful resource is ideal for parents, therapists, and otherprofessionals who want to use yoga therapy exercises with children withspecial needs.Dedication
Acknowledgements
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
1 Introduction
Components of Normal Development
Developmental Challenges
Choosing a Therapy Program
Similarities of Yoga and Neuro-developmental Therapy (NDT)
Physical-structural meets Energetic-regeneration
Yoga Meets Therapy Goals
2 The Benefits of Yoga
The Breath
Body Awareness
Motor Planning
Spirit of Communication
Behavioural Self-regulation
Social Skills
Universal Awareness
Multidisciplinary
Sensory Integration
Natural Setting
Multidimensional Approach
Healthy Body
Restorative
Sleep Patterns
Skill Set
Energetic Alignment
3 Getting Ready
Physician Consultation
Creating a Space
When, How Often, and for How Long? Assessment by Observation
Introducing the Setting
Paradigm for Success
4 The Yoga Program
Namasté
Tibetan Bells
Breathing
Postures
Savasana
Guided Imagery
Closing Chant
Instruction
The Posture
The Benefits
Special Considerations
5 Yoga and the Energy Body
The Root Chakra - Stability
The Navel Chakra - Relationship and Creativity
The Solar Plexus Chakra - Self-esteem
The Heart Chakra - Love and Compassion
The Throat Chakra - Communication
The Brow Chakra - Divine Vision
The Crown Chakra - Spiritual Connection
6 Yoga Games
Games to Build Strength
Games to Build Confidence
Games Using Props and Toys
Games to Develop Imagination
Breathing Games
7 Yoga for Specific Conditions
Precautions
Exchanges
Symptoms Involving the Following Areas: Attention DeficitDisorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Cancer
Cerebral Palsy
Compromised Respiration
Developmental Delay
Down Syndrome
Emotional Sensitivity
Fluency
Hemi-paresis
High Tone
Language Delay/Disorder
Low Tone
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sensory Integration Disorder
Social Communication Delay
Scoliosis
8 The Response
Yogis and Parents
References
Resources
Glossary