YOGA FOR CHILDREN WITH ADHD

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1 YOGA FOR CHILDREN WITH ADHD

2 Sunbeam Family Yoga is excited to offer the following program tailored specifically for children with the ability of ADHD. The program consists of ten 30 minute private yoga sessions with your child, one 30 minute intake session with the parent(s) and one 30 minute exit session with the parent(s) where I will provide some guidance on how to integrate what the child has learned into the home. PROGRAM OUTLINE The breakdown of the program is indicated below. Please note that although each lesson is themed, the practices overlap between one session and the other. Also, I will teach practices that help with each of these topics, however the children may not always be aware of the topics, they will simply know that they are feeling better and enjoying themselves. Intake Session (with parent) Lesson 1: Intro and get to know you session Lesson 2: Building rapport and confidence Lesson 3: Yoga for healthy sleep Lesson 4: Yoga for healthy sleep 2 Lesson 5: Yoga for managing emotion Lesson 6: Yoga for managing emotion (happy) Lesson 7: Yoga for managing emotion (anger) Lesson 8: Yoga for managing emotion (fear/anxiety) Lesson 9: Yoga to settle the (racing) mind Lesson 10: Yoga to settle the (racing) mind 2 Exit session and completion of feedback survey

3 LOCATION There are two options for location of the classes: The first is at my home studio in Massey (LaCloche Lake RD). This is a private studio and an optimal space for limited distractions. Here we also have access to many yoga tools such as blocks, blankets, child friendly props. Bathroom facilities are available inside the house. The studio is in a rural setting which could lend itself to a practice immersed in nature (weather permitting). I would also be willing to deliver the program in person at the child s school. The parent s would be responsible for contacting the school and expressing interest in having me come and work with their child in that setting. I am able to accommodate whatever the school requires for this to happen (criminal record checks, interviews etc). TIMING In either scenario the same 30 minute block of time will be set aside for the child on a weekly basis. For example I would see the child at his/her school every Tuesday from 10:00-10:30, or every Thursday at my home studio from 4:00-4:30. Scheduling in the yoga sessions consistently allow for the child to develop a predictable routine, and it is my belief that doing so will assist with their success in integrating the yoga skills/practice into their life. COST The cost for the entire program (10 child yoga sessions + 2 consults with the parents) is $200. A $20 discount will be given to students who attend the session at my home studio since I will not have travel costs for those students. I have a firm desire to help all children. Therefore if cost is the only issue in a child having access to this program I will work with the family to find funding/payment options.

4 RESEARCH SUPPORTING YOGA FOR ADHD Yoga has the ability to balance the autonomic nervous system. o It strengthens the sympathetic nervous system (our ability to step on the gas pedal) o And balances this with the parasympathetic nervous system (our ability to step on the brakes) Yoga balances energy and improves blood flow to the brain, muscles and organs Yoga enhances attention and focus Yoga improves behaviour by enhancing self-regulation and increasing emotional awareness Yoga builds resiliency Yoga helps to organize and unite the brain, body and spirit Children who are able to internally organize, can connect to the world around them without becoming overwhelmed by the environment. They are able to remain centered, even though the world around them may be in constant motion. -Shakta Khalsa There have been numerous research studies conducted which support the practice of yoga for stress reduction, improved sleep, decreased anxiety and numerous other health benefits. Below are the details of a few studies dealing specifically with the results of yoga for those with ADHD. Please contact me for more information or the electronic link to these studies. A 2012 study published in ISRN Pediatrics found yoga improved school performance in children with ADHD (India). Researchers at the University of Heidelberg (Germany) report that yoga may help improve ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD. An Australian study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders claims yoga improved behavior and focus in ADHD boys on drug therapy.

5 QUALIFICATIONS I have completed my RCYT (Registered Children s Yoga Teacher) 200 hour teacher training through Radiant Child Yoga. This is a yoga alliance approved teacher training program. As a component of this program I completed a 30 hour course Yoga for ADHD and Autism. I have a personal consistent yoga practice and teach weekly yoga classes (for children, adults and seniors). On top of my 200 hour teaching training I have continued to complete yoga training sessions: totalling an additional 80 hours of learning to date. I am also the mother to five young children who are all very close in age. This emersion in raising children has provided me a lot of insight and skill development towards working with children. I have one child who is living with ADHD and I have seen firsthand the benefits he is experiencing through his yoga practice. PARENT TESTIMONIALS Cindy is a calm and caring yoga teacher. She accepts all the students and seems to thoroughly enjoy being with them. Ten weeks through a yoga session with Cindy my four year old went from playing roughly with the other students and having a difficult time sitting still, to a place where he could focus and follow along with the yoga class. He was able to actively and appropriately participate in the group class without the one-on-one adult assistance that is needed in other class settings. My son has been practicing yoga in both a group and private setting with Cindy. Sometimes the group setting is overwhelming for my son however is working towards showing respect for his classmates and is making progress in his ability to focus during class. In the private sessions my son is blossoming. He takes the tools he learns seriously and attempts to call on them in the home setting.

6 DISCLAIMER It is my 100% belief that yoga will greatly improve the quality of your child s life and assist them in managing the symptoms of ADHD. This program is in no way meant to replace the care of a pediatrician or physician, replace any medication treatment or other therapy. Yoga however will be a wonderful compliment to any or all of these treatments. ADDITIONAL PERKS Self Care is the most important gift you can give to your child and to yourself. By maintaining a physically healthy, emotionally stable and rested self you are better able to parent your child(ren). Parenting children with special intentions and special abilities such as ADHD can be draining on any parent. Therefore when you enrol your child in the yoga for ADHD program, you will be entitled to 20% off all group adult yoga classes that I offer. I will also offer the option of adding on 5 private, 1 hour, yoga classes for one or both parents/caregivers at a reduced rate of $100. This is roughly a 50% discount from my standard private rate. Family sessions to increase bonding and connections among family members are also available at a reduced rate. CONTACT To enroll your child in this program, or to enquire further please contact: Cindy Stewart Sunbeam Family Yoga sunbeamfamilyyoga@gmail.com