Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens
Tools for calm, clarity and attention
If you are a parent of a child or a professional who works with one, you know how challenging it can be for children to sit still, cope with change, self-soothe through stressful times, and make good decisions.
Yoga therapy offers a holistic, safe and empowering approach to healthy development. Many studies have shown the benefits of yoga for children and teens as a means to directly improve self-regulation, physical or somatic concerns, and concentration.
Because children and teens are subject to sensory overload, just like adults, the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight”) is often engaged, amplifying any stress. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system (“relaxation response”), yoga therapy can reduce reactivity and increase the ability to calm, focus and learn.
Yoga and meditation can help teach children specific breathing strategies and poses to support them in activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It can support our children to navigate the stresses of daily life and practice ways to help their bodies, brains, and hearts feel calm.
Body Awareness
Coping skills for worry, stress and overwhelm
Empowering children and teens with skills
Our Yoga Therapist can teach children, teens and parents yoga strategies that both calm and energize, emphasizing sensory and bodily awareness and the “sacred space” that is so important for us all. Sessions support them to develop coping skills and ways to respond to stress, tension, worry, anxiety and depression.
We can also support you as parents to learn the best ways to use your voice and body effectively when working with children; how to minimize distractions and ease transitions; and how to create personalized yoga breaks to enhance independence and avert meltdowns.
Breathing and visualization techniques can empower all children – letting them know they have tools that can be used anytime and anywhere to calm their bodies and minds.
Behavior and focus, strength, flexibility, balance, and self-regulation are all improved through yoga, making it an ideal practice for children on the autism spectrum, with ADHD, sensory processing and emotional/behavioral disorders, and other exceptionalities.
Integrative Approach
A tool-box for parents and professionals
Practical skills for creating safe and calm spaces
The classroom is often a place where difficulty with concentration, soothing or dealing with peers can be the most challenging for our children and teens. Have you noticed your child or students may be needing more attention this year? Do your children or students appear to be struggling with the demands of the school day?
Yoga therapy utilizes yoga breathing techniques and mindful movements to calm the nervous system, enhance cognitive function, and nurture self-control.
Our Yoga Therapist and Child and Family Therapist regularly offer a 90-minute training called ‘Calming Big Feelings & Slowing Fast Thoughts’.
This workshop will help you decipher the cues and signals that what a child’s behavior offers up and how to offer support by exploring: the neuroscience of anxiety and attachment; calming strategies for home or classroom; and tools for centeredness, grounding, and focus.
Please visit our Workshops page for further information on this offering
How can YT help?
Yoga Therapy supports a wide variety of challenges
Can be combined with therapy or used as a stand-alone intervention
Our Yoga Therapists is skilled and experienced in the following areas:
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- Emotional and behavioral regulation
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- Attention or concentration difficulties
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- Depression
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- Sensory issues and sensory integration
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- Anxiety
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- Cognitive skills and language development
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- Grief, loss or transition
- Body awareness, balance and coordination
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- Chronic headaches
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- General pain management
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- Social skills
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- Trauma and/or PTSD
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- Sleep issues
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- Autism spectrum disorders
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- Digestion and digestive issues
- Resilience-building
The Center for Connection, Healing, and Change provides counseling services to individuals for depression, anxiety, trauma, and more in Woodbridge, VA. We also serve the surrounding areas such as Lake Ridge, Lorton, Montclair, Manassas, Fredericksburg, and Southbridge.