Mindfulness & Play
As we know, our differently-abled children spend a great deal of time in therapy and appointments. So much so, in fact, that we sometimes forget that they are children first. At Evolve, our practitioners are committed to offering our special needs children the space to experience freedom and joy in connecting more deeply with themselves and their bodies using play and mindfulness practices.
Four types of service have been carefully selected to foster mindfulness and play for you, your child, and your entire family:
Yoga, Meditation and Breathwork, and Sound Baths.
YOGA
In yoga for the special child, children learn that everyone has gifts and super powers. We value differences and all abilities, and children build confidence as they explore their connection to their body, mind, and spirit.
The benefits of yoga far outreach the common assumptions of flexibility and relaxation. In reality, the asanas (poses) are only one limb of the eight limbs of yoga. Yoga is a way of living intentionally, mindfully, and can essentially change the way one views themselves and the world around them.
For children, we encourage imagination, play, and self-awareness. Benefits for children with special needs include:
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved motor skills
- Improvements with emotional regulation
- Improved concentration and focus
- Increased breathing awareness
- Increased self-confidence and joy
Children with special needs are not limited by their diagnosis. Instead, they learn that everyone has gifts and superpowers. At Evolve, we value differences and all abilities, and children build confidence as they explore their connection to their body, mind, and spirit.
We have fun making different shapes with our bodies no matter where we are – standing, sitting in a chair, or lying on the floor.
A yoga therapy approach is used with sequences, breathing exercises, and chanting. A typical class begins with singing, chanting, and music to warm up, followed by a gentle practice to move and explore the body. Class ends with a sweet and gentle meditation. Some mindfulness activities, stories, and games are also included.
MEDITATION AND BREATHWORK
Meditation and breathwork go hand in hand with yoga. Meditation is a form of quiet sitting that is about tapping into the present moment. It promotes focus and concentration and can be a great practice to cultivate with your special needs child. With breathwork, we work on conscious, controlled breathing exercises to promote relaxation and focus. It also fosters the development of coping skills, which can help reduce the frequency and intensity of differently-abled children’s emotional outbursts toward parents, teachers, and caregivers.
At Evolve, our classes offer accessible entry points to meditation and breathwork so you and your entire family can cultivate your practice together.
SOUND BATHS
Since children with special needs tend to be very sensorial, they feel sound vibrations deep, so many neurotypical people find it difficult to understand. This is why many children with special needs love sound baths and why sound baths can be an excellent way to connect to what they’re feeling in their bodies. Becoming aware of bodily sensations, in turn, gives our children opportunities to practice connecting to their feelings.
Sound baths can also be healing for parents, allowing them to sit in a meditative position and be present to receive the healing properties of the pure crystal bowls, both through the sound and feel of the vibrations.
All of this allows memories, emotions, and past trauma to move through you. It is a full-body detox, enabling deeper healing for the entire family.
