Special Yoga & Mindfulness for Autism & ADHD

Foundation Teacher Training - Online

Learn compassion-based practices to support children, teens and young adults however their diagnosis presents.
Online Course with Tuesday Evening webinars

Special Yoga and Mindfulness for Autism and ADHD

Yoga is so much more than simply flexibility; Special Yoga teaches practical, therapeutic tools that combine movement, breathwork, singing & sound, massage & energy, relaxation, mindfulness, working with the feet and self-care.

This Special Yoga and Mindfulness foundation course for Autism and ADHD has been carefully crafted to provide you with the know-how and techniques to support a broad range of children with ASD and ADHD including but not limited to Asperger’s, ADHD, Atypical autism, Pathological Demand Aversion (PDA), Girls With Autism, Profound Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, OCD

About The Course

On this online course there are four teaching webinars which are hosted on Zoom.
The first webinar is slightly longer, giving students and teachers some time to get to know each other and the teachers to put students into Study Groups.

Opening: Tuesday 8th October 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Webinar Two: Tuesday 12th November 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Webinar Three: Tuesday 10th December 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Closing: Tuesday 14th January 2025 6.30pm - 8.30pm

In smaller study groups you’ll meet once a month to work on assignments, helping you embody your experiences and learning. The sessions are also a valuable chance to compare experiences applying Special Yoga in your personal work/home situations with the children.

Exact dates and times are agreed by consensus among the members of each group but will be weeks commencing Sunday 20th October, 17th November, 14th December 2024 and 19th January 2025. Groups will be confirmed at the opening weekend.

Sessions will be held online over Zoom.

The online aspect of the course consists of modules designed for you to work through independently, expanding and consolidating what you learned in person. Modules include movement, breathwork, mindfulness, singing and sound, relaxation, energy, massage and working with the feet. Further modules demonstrate use of the practices for ADHD, Aspergers, atypical autism, profound autism, pathological demand aversion (PDA), sensory processing disorder, autistic girls, OCD, autistic children in mainstream education, adolescents and working with groups.

To complete your personal assignments you’ll watch videos demonstrating practices and see practitioners working with different children. You can test your progress as you go with on line quizzes.

Book Now

Special Yoga & Mindfulness for Autism & ADHD

For invoiced bookings or to discuss multi-place bookings please email info@specialyoga.co.uk

Student Testimonials For This Course

  • "I have absolutely loved taking part in Special Yoga!

    The tutors have been so supportive in all aspects of the course and the content is excellent. I am finding it really interesting and informative. I would really recommend this course to anyone who works with children and young people work the ASD, it will really enhance your understanding and working with these special individuals!”

    - Tracy

  • "I didn’t know what to expect but so glad I signed up.

    I love how the course encourages self awareness that enables you to love yourself. Never have I seen such a supportive network, the teachers were so nurturing and understanding. Can’t wait to start spreading the love with students the same way the teachers did with me!”

    - Ngan

  • "This makes a huge difference for children and the nervous system.

    A new toolbox with knowledge and exercises for my own self-regulation, self-care and co-regulation for children. I am so grateful for this educational course with simple and effective asanas, breathwork, chanting & sound, singing, acupressure, and mindfulness. I am surprised how well the Special Yoga method works and I enjoy using it.”

    - Anne

  • "The training gave me a great chance to deepen my knowledge

    of the practices to support neurodiversity holistically with yogic tools. As a Teaching Assistant in mainstream education, I deeply benefited from support and had the opportunity to reflect on 'resistance' and the paramount importance of self-care.”

    - Maria

  • “The course taught me so much about myself and how to support children

    and young people. The special yoga practices help to keep myself balanced. I am grateful that I am able to share these with the child and young people and their families that I support.”

    - Sophie

  • “I have thoroughly enjoyed taking this course,

    I feel that it has positively benefited my work with children and young people by teaching me to tune in to their needs, meet them where they are and have no expectations. Although the course was online I felt connected to the other students and greatly enjoyed sharing our practice and ideas. Thank you for everything, I will be recommending this course.”

    - Charlotte

Principles Of Special Yoga Teacher Training

There are nine key aspects to the Special Yoga methodology; all are equally important.

POSTURE - Special Yoga uses a few simple but deeply effective postures and movements. Understand how these postures work energetically, emotionally and physiologically to guide movement that supports each child

BREATHWORK - The emotions and breath are directly linked, each affecting the other.  Learn various practices to support the child to find their breath and support their vital energy and emotional regulation.

MINDFULNESS - Whether through learning or character, mindful children generally experience greater well-being. Learn practices to help children become more self-aware, allowing them to manage their emotional state compassionately and kindly.

SOUND - Understand the therapeutic value of sound and how to use specific vibrations to calm the nervous system. The Foundation training introduces you to the rhythmic sequencing of movement to sound to help develop concentration and motor coordination.

RELAXATION - The importance of relaxation can not be overstated. We offer various practices and tools to support the child to deeply relax and find that deep connection within, helping all the systems of the body to balance, calm and bring inner peace.

MASSAGE AND ENERGY - Massage can increase blood circulation in the body, improving breathing, growth, concentration and IQ, the immune system, and restful sleep. We teach a multitude of techniques to enhance the well-being of children with special needs.

WORKING WITH THE FEET - Learn how to use the feet as an access point to support a child’s overall health. Applications include pain reduction, regulating heart rate, increasing oxygen saturation, and stimulating digestive organs.

ADAPTATIONS - It’s vital to understand how different practices can be adapted for children with other diagnoses and energetic states.  Completing the course will allow you to tailor therapeutic interventions to various settings and the specific needs of the child or group you support.

INNER WORK - Our state not only matters, it is intrinsic to our ability to support the children fully.  Throughout the course, we demonstrate the value of our self-care and self-observation in relation to the children.

Meet the Team