Yoga for Athletes, Autism and ADHD

Full disclosure, I am not a special education teacher or expert, but I have taught yoga to autistic children ages 9-14 and have received positive feedback from the students and their parents.  More disclosure, I am not an athletic trainer, but I have taught yoga to teen female soccer teams, teen male baseball teams and youth hockey teams.  And, I am not an ADHD expert, but I have a son who was diagnosed with ADHD and I learned about this disorder through professional health experts, books, teachers and many years of experience raising my now grown son.

Why is yoga therapy beneficial for kids with autism?

• It offers mental calmness
• It meets children where they are
• It reduces anxiety
• It can help reduce obsessive behaviors
• It offers an opportunity to be social
• It can reduce pain and aggression
• It is fun and challenging
• It offers more control in the regulation of emotions
• It aids in breathing and digestion (taking them out of flight and fight mode)
• It enables them to feel more comfortable and calm in their bodies

Related Link: YogAutism

Why is yoga helpful for ADHD?

• It offers mental calmness and centering
• It isn't competitive
• It teaches children how to focus and concentrate
• It can help reduce obsessive behaviors
• It gives them tools for blowing off steam in the classroom and at home
• It can reduce pain and aggression
• It is fun and challenging
• It offers more control and awareness of emotions
• It aids in breathing and digestion (taking them out of flight and fight mode)
• It enables them to have greater body awareness
• It shows them how to channel high energy

Related Link: Yoga and ADHD

Why is yoga beneficial for young athletes?

• It relaxes anxious and over stressed minds
• It teaches athletes breathing techniques improving focus and concentration
• It can help reduce joint and muscle pain
• It helps correct muscle imbalance
• It increases flexibility and opens up tight areas that hinder performance
• It is challenging and core strengthening
• It can aid in injury prevention
• It allows athletes to recover faster after intense workouts
• It improves range of motion
• It helps correct poor body mechanics and posture
• It teaches athletes about the mind body connection

Related Link: Why Every Athlete Should Practice Yoga

If you are between the ages of 8-80 and would like to learn more about where I teach in the Reno area, please contact me at KerryTeegen@gmail.com.  You will benefit from my classes if you have ADHD, autism, are an athlete, or just want to give yoga a try.