1. Yoga: A New Way to Communicate Dani Altheide, LSW Sheila Hurley, SLP/L

2. Sneak Peek

3. Objectives Define yoga Literature review Define our population Benefits of yoga Program overview Hindsight 20/20 Considerations Next steps

4. What Is Yoga? B.K.S. Iyengar described yoga as being derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yuj’ meaning, “to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one’s attention on, to use and apply” (1979). “Yoga is the control of thought waves in the mind.” Prabhavananda & Isherwood, 1981

5. What is Yoga to You?

6. A Little Neuroscience Brain wave activity/State of arousal Delta (1-4 Hz): Sleep repair Theta (4-7 Hz): Drowsy, associated with inattention, spontaneity, and creativity Alpha (8-12 Hz): Alertness, inter-calm, peacefulness, meditation, relaxed, and focused Sensorimotor Rhythm (SMR) (12-15 Hz): Relaxed thought, mental alertness/physical relaxation Beta (13-21 Hz): Sustained attention but outwardly or externally oriented, active thinking High Beta (20-32 Hz): Intensity, hyper-alertness, anxiety, excitement Gamma (38-42 Hz): Cognitive processing Demos, J. (2005)

7. Yoga  Alpha Waves “…yoga is an extremely effective technique for raising the alpha/theta activity in the EEG and therefore, it also strengthens the associated positive effects.” Hoffmann, E. (2013) “The increase in alpha and theta activity in most regions of the brain after meditation indicates that the brain is deeply relaxed and focused following [yoga].” Hoffmann, E. (2013)

8. Our Population Therapeutic day program for students ages five to twenty-one Students with severe to profound disabilities Autism to schizophrenia and everything in between Some non-verbal Many students have multiple diagnoses

9. Benefits of Yoga Increases… Body awareness Sensory integration Improvements in… Receptive language Ability to follow routines Relaxation Focus and attention Self-regulation

10. Videos

11. Why Yoga? Age appropriate activity Addresses sensory needs Improves self-regulation and self-awareness Incorporates movement Strengthens social skills Encourages communication

12. Setting Consider the Environment Less visually distracting Quiet Calm, relaxing, music Not too loud Dim lighting; natural light Not too many people in the room

13. The Process Breathing Relaxation Passing the ball Communication and socialization Poses Movement, receptive and expressive language, leadership, augmentative communication devices

14. Videos

17. Technology Yoga page on iPad Feelings page on iPad

18. Videos

19. Rookie Mistakes Use photos that are representative of the population you are working with Limit group sizes Take into consideration the communication abilities of the students as well as their personalities when creating the yoga groups

20. Creating Generalization Implement breathing visual throughout the day Other staff involvement Use this coping strategy across a variety of settings

21. Other Considerations It is not about the product. It is about the process. Try not to do it alone with this type of population. Modifications, physical supports, and collaboration Do not be too hard on yourself. Have fun!

22. On A Good Note…

23. Bibliography Demos, J.N. (2005). Getting started in neurofeedback. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company Inc. Emerson, D., & Hopper E. (2011). Overcoming trauma through yoga: Reclaiming your body. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books. Goldberg, L. (2013). Yoga therapy for children with autism and special needs. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company Inc. Hamlin, E., & P. (2010). Proceedings from: Neurofeedback in a Clinical Practice. Canoga Park, CA: EEG Spectrum International. Hoffmann, E. (1999). Mapping the brains activity after Kriya Yoga. Bindu, 12. Retrieved from http://yogameditation.com http://yogameditation.com Iyengar, B.K.S. (1979). Light on yoga: Revised edition. New York, NY: Schocken Books. Jensen, P.S., & Kenny, D.T. (2004). The effects of yoga on the attention and behavior of boys with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Journal of Attention Deficit Disorders, 7(4), 205-216. Kirk, M., & Boon, B. (2006). Hatha yoga illustrated. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Morgan, A. (2014). Pediatric yoga: Yoga techniques for sensory, behavioral, attention, & other developmental disorders. [Seminar Manual]. Summit Education Radhakrishna, S., & Nagarathna, N. (2010). Integrated approach to yoga therapy and autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 1(2), 120-124. Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. New York, NY: Viking.