“Stretch Your Brain” Yoga

Vanessa Kahlon, MA

Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum

During my 13 years of teaching children with autism and other special needs, I found that many of my students suffered from anxiety. I felt that there was a need for more emphasis on lowering stress levels through self-regulation and body awareness. That is when I turned to yoga and created Yoga Education for Autism Spectrum. This yoga program, a K-8 multi-disciplinary program for children with learning differences, is a tool to help them understand their bodies and calm their minds.

A recent article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information explains that yoga reduces stress levels by balancing the production of neurotransmitters in the brain ("Meditation and Yoga can Modulate Brain Mechanisms"). Yoga combines physical activity with self-awareness, thereby promoting a mind-body connection that many children with ASD struggle with. The ability to concentrate emerges from restraining distractions in a process called "neural inhibition". Neurologists explain that this process helps with "quieting the mind of its compulsions".

Research shows that Yoga helps normalize the levels of neurotransmitters GABA, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine - which facilitates a calmer state ("How Yoga and Breathing Help the Brain Unwind."). Yoga has been shown to improve oxygen levels in the brain and increase lung capacity through deep breathing, resulting in self-regulation and improved cognition. Yoga can also help lessen the need to fidget by releasing pent up energy into a focused stream of alertness.

The YEAS Program

Relaxation

We start with meditation through music. Early in the program, most of the children were able to stay focused for no more than 30 seconds. Today they request longer meditations where they can practice their deep breathing.

Balance

The children typically have difficulty standing on one leg and at times will use one another to help them stand on one leg. After two years of doing tree pose weekly, one girl was able to stand on her own for four seconds. She cried, “Look at me, I did it!” Since then she has been able to increase her balance in every yoga pose that requires her to be on one leg. As she improves her skill, her confidence improves.

Body Awareness

There are two children in the class who especially come to mind when we are working on body awareness. Well before I am finished giving instructions on what to do next, they are in a pose. Often they have moved too quickly and are in the wrong pose. Having the children slow down their bodies is something we work on every day. Having to listen to what is coming up next and moving along with the group is a critical life skill. By mastering the yoga sequence, the children learn to improve their listening skills along with their body awareness. These two students can now do an eight-step sequence and stay with the group.

Motor Skills

We go through a range of motions that stretch muscles and lubricate joints. Many postures require the children to place their hands on the floor and support at least part of their body weight, helping to build upper body strength. Sun Salutations that include Plank, Chaturanga, Downward Dog, and Upward Dog incorporate gentle strength building movement.

Language and Social Skills

Each child is now responsible for teaching part of the class. The child is tasked with coming up with a pose that he or she wants to teach. This increases self-esteem and language skills. Success with this is a very long, systematic process, which utilizes 3D yoga figures and 2D cards. It begins with the child telling the class, “Do this” and getting in the pose. After two years, the children can name and demonstrate the instructions. This increases trust with group, improves social skills, and builds friendships.

Training for Parents and Professionals

This is a 10-hour integrated yoga and behavioral intervention training that welcomes parents, teachers, and other professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum. Upon completion of the training, participants receive the YEAS certification and access to 1:1 consultation. Additionally, a detailed manual is provided that enables them to implement the specialized curriculum in a variety of settings including home, school, and community.

Works Cited

Krishnakumar, Divya et al. “Meditation and Yoga can Modulate Brain Mechanisms that affect Behavior and Anxiety-A Modern Scientific Perspective.” Ancient science vol. 2,1 (2015): 13-19. doi:10.14259/as.v2i1.171

"How Yoga and Breathing Help the Brain Unwind." Psychology Today (2019). https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychiatry-the-people/201901/how-yoga-and-breathing-help-the-brain-unwind

About the Author

Vanessa Kahlon holds a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology and is a Registered Yoga Instructor. She has been working with individuals on the autism spectrum for the past 13 years. She has designed and supervised ABA programs, social skills groups, and yoga classes in both school and community settings. In addition, she has trained parents, teachers, yoga instructors, and other professionals working with children on the spectrum, in implementing the YEAS program.