Yoga, the ancient art form from India, is increasingly becoming popular all over the world. This method is being hailed as one of the best and easiest therapeutic and health-building techniques today.
Yoga is being recognized by scientists and health professionals for its holistic approach to building a healthy body and mind. This had resulted in the WHO (World Health Organization) to promote Yoga officially way back in 1978. The global health authority recognized the huge therapeutic potential that Yoga offers for numerous kinds of physiological and psychological problems and disorders.
This makes Yoga an appropriate form of rehabilitative exercise for people of all sexes and ages. Today, Yoga is also being considered one of the ideal methods for rehabilitation of patients suffering from neurological disorders.
It is often hard for younger children to learn to focus and relax for a sufficient period of time. Children, being naturally energetic and somewhat fidgety, tend to find it hard to sit at one place without letting their minds wander. Although expert Yoga teachers can teach these values to kids eventually; it works wonders for children with autism.
Most popular techniques for teaching kids Yoga is found in the book titled, Yoga Therapy for children with Autism and Special Needs by Louise Goldberg. The author has explained in detail the techniques and methods that help kids with special needs gain the intrinsic benefits from Yoga. The book has now become a handbook for teachers, educators, and school counselors, etc. for offering Yoga to kids affected by autism.
Benefits of Yoga for neurological disorder rehabilitation
Yoga is focused on inculcating and improving certain essential skills into the user. This is doubly beneficial for kids affected by autism who have trouble with basic communication and interactive skills. It also helps to improve the sensory and motor skills of the child remarkably.
A special children’s Yoga program can help a child with autism to:
Develop motor skills
Children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) often have delayed development of motor skills. This affects their ability of self-awareness acutely. To overcome this, Yoga can help such children to tone their muscles. This, in turn, helps the child to improve balance and stability. Yoga helps the child to develop better coordination and enhanced self-awareness.
The development of motor skills helps to increase self-awareness in the child. It also builds extensive awareness of the child’s physical self in space and in relation to others. This helps to improve the child’s gait and ability to walk.
Improved social skills and self-confidence
Poor coordination results in low self-esteem in the child as the child feels ‘different’ from his/her peers. It also prevents the child from being a part of the team in sports and outdoor activities.
Yoga teaches the child to be confident by gaining better control and coordination of their movements. Better physical coordination results in improving the child’s social skills significantly. Specialized Yoga classes involving partner poses increases the child’s confidence to perform normally in group situations as well.
