Not only has Special Yoga given me valuable tools to use with my own children and the children I work with , but it has also set me on a path of deep healing and self-awareness that I now realise is paramount to serving others .”
Not only has Special Yoga given me valuable tools to use with my own children and the children I work with , but it has also set me on a path of deep healing and self-awareness that I now realise is paramount to serving others .”
© undefined undefined via Getty Images children without the need for any equipment , such as swings or climbing frames .
Yoga postures and practices can provide the body with all the necessary sensory input and all you need is a yoga mat . Movement input can be targeted by postures such as rock and roll ( rocking in supine flexion ), sun salutations ( sequence of flowing postures ) and vinyasas ( moving postures ).
However , yoga also offers many opportunities to move the head and body with some postures , even offering the chance to go upside down , for example standing forward fold , downward dog pose and shoulder stand , to name but a few .
These can all be safely modified to suit all children and provide them with the muchneeded vestibular input that so many seek .
The sense of where a body is in space is activated in the muscles and therefore any resistance activity can activate this sense and provide the body with its regulating effects . So many yoga postures provide such input , for example , downward dog , knees to chest and bridge all use gravity to provide the therapeutic pull that muscles need to activate this calming sense .
This sense is not only stimulated from the body being connected with the ground , but also the massage techniques that are so inherent to the Special Yoga approach . These techniques complement the postures and serve to provide bodies with deep tactile input that can also help to calm the nervous system while bringing the busy mind back to the body .
The power of presence and therapeutic listening
These two concepts work together to provide a space that evokes safety and free expression . Offering children ( and ourselves ) the time to simply ‘ be ’ and not ‘ do ’ for a short while can be extremely powerful .
Seeing a child who is usually constantly on the go settle enough to actually lie down is magic .
This also seems to correlate quite strongly with the occupational therapy tool of activity analysis and practising deep listening and observing can massively increase our ability to perform this integral part of our occupational therapy service .
Your state matters
One of the most important lessons that I learned very early on in my Special Yoga training was that ‘ your state matters ’.
Noticing and softening our own posture , tone , breath and overall demeanour can have a profound impact on children and simply working on this aspect of Special Yoga can provide a powerful tool for anyone working with or bringing up children .
I have often noticed how my own increased arousal causes my children to spiral out of control and this works both ways ( if enough work is done on the self ).
Self-development and authenticity
Overall , my journey combining Special Yoga and occupational therapy has not only been useful for my service and parenting , but also extremely illuminating for my own self development and in turn my ability to engage with others in a more authentic way .
The Special Yoga path brings with it tools , ways of being and insight that enriches any occupational therapy role . With my experience of it bringing me closer to the service users I wish to support and allowing me to be more individual and effective in my approach . Anyone who feels drawn to this path , in which ever setting they work , could make this the next step in their CPD journey . Enjoy the ride !
Words LUCY MAHER , self-employed occupational therapist , email lucy @ lotus-therapy . net . For more information visit https :// specialyoga . co . uk
20 OTnews May 2023