Why is yoga a great tool for children on the spectrum and with other special needs — and their caregivers?
Yoga offers specific healthcare benefits to children with autism and other challenges. Simple yoga stretches and breathing techniques are expected to improve:
-
Body awareness
-
Flexibility
-
Stress management techniques — learning the cues of stress so they can self-regulate
-
Coordination and balance
-
Social interaction
-
Self-confidence
-
Physical strength
Yoga is a perfect fit for the healthcare needs of this population — physical, social, and emotional. Yoga can incorporate deep pressure, repetition, relaxation, body awareness, visual cues, and visualization. Very simply, yoga is a good fit because it’s intuitive and fun — kids love yoga. And that provides a wonderful starting point from which to offer its healing benefits.
