Level 1 - Yoga for Children and Teens (Autism, Neurodiversity & Diverse Needs) April 2024
Gain the knowledge and confidence to teach yoga to children and teens with diverse needs!
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PLEASE NOTE - THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR REGISTERING
Registration Deadline- April 21st
The Level 1 - Yoga for Children - Autism, Neurodiversity and Diverse Needs course offers fun and effective strategies for teaching yoga and mindfulness to children with diverse brains, bodies and abilities.
Please note: Level 2 - 95-hour Children's Yoga Teacher Certification will be in June 2024 - Take both the Level 1 and Level 2 Trainings and Become a 95-hour Certified Children's Yoga Teacher with an Emphasis on Inclusion and Accessibility!
A combination of Online Learning and Virtual Connection to the Lead Trainer and Community of Participants.
Participants will begin the course startingApril 24th. Curriculum will be available Monday, April 22nd. We will meet 4 times via Zoom throughout the course. The rest of the time will be online videos, lectures, reading and homework assignments.
Dates: April 24th-May 5th, 2024
Registration:
$550 USD if registered by April 3rd, $650 following - please note registration for the course is non-refundable for any and all reasons. By registering for and paying for the course you are acknowledging that there will be no refunds given. Should there be a conflict with timing you will have the option to transfer to a future course for a $50 rescheduling fee. Once you access the course curriculum, there will not be an option to reschedule.
Zoom Meetings
The Zoom meetings are an opportunity to connect as a community, review course content, ask questions and practice together.
You will receive the Zoom Meeting invites with the links once the course begins. Please arrange your schedule accordingly so you are able to be present and engaged during the meetings.
Attendance in the meetings is required for completion of the Level 1 Certificate. There is NO Exception to this
It is not an option to switch Zoom meeting groups. Your Zoom meeting group is based on your location.
Zoom Meetings
Group 1
April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 9:00am-12:00pm PST
Attendance in the meetings is required for completion of the Level 1 Certificate
Global Time Zones:
United States - April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 9:00am-12:00pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)
Please check the time for your time zone in the United States.
Canada
(Please double check the times for your time zone)
PDT - April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 9am-12pm
MDT - April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5- 10am-1pm
ADT - April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 1pm-4pm
EDT - April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 12pm-3pm
Mexico: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5
CDT - 5:00pm-8:00pm
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE TIME ZONES FOR YOUR COUNTRY
Greece: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 7pm-10pm
England: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 5pm-8pm
Ireland: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 5pm-8pm
Germany: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6pm-9pm
Spain: October 21, 22, 28 & 29 - 6pm-9pm
Netherlands: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6pm-9pm
Sweden: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6pm-9pm
France: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5- 6pm-9pm
India: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 9:30pm-12:30am
Israel: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 7:00pm-10:00pm
Poland: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Italy: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5- 6:00pm-9:00pm
Brazil: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 1:00pm-4:00pm
United Arab Emirates: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 8:00pm-11:00pm
Albania: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Group 2
* Please note: Depending on registrations, Group 2 may mostly view the recorded zoom meetings from Group 1 instead of meeting for zoom sessions listed below. Please be prepared to meet for the scheduled meetings just in case.
IT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THOSE IN GROUP 1 TIME ZONE TO SWITCH - THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE IN GROUP 2 TIMES ZONE.
Global Time Zones:
April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 3:00pm-6:00pm PST
New Zealand and Australia: (April 28 & 29, May 5 & 6 ) (Please double check your time zone)
ACDT - 9:30am -12:30pm
AEST - 8:00am-11:00am
AEDT - 9:00am-12:00pm
ACST - 7:30am - 10:30am
AWST - 6:00am - 9:00am
China: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5 - 6am-9am
Japan: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5, 7am-10am
Philipines: April 27 & 28, May 4 & 5
Participants will learn tools to support children ages 5-17 with self-regulation, body awareness, interoception, social skills, expression of difficult emotions, language and communication, social skills, reducing anxiety and much much more!
Learn strategies, supports and modifications to teach yoga and mindfulness to children including Autism, ADD/ADHD, Down Syndrome, Prader Willi, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Integration difficulties, Language Processing difficulties, Developmental Delays, Limited Mobility, Learning difficulties Anxiety, Trauma, Behavioral Challenges and more!
- Yoga Teachers
- Pediatric Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech Therapists
- Behavior Specialists
- Mental Health Practitioners
- Educators
- School Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Therapists
- Pediatric or School Nurses
- Parents
- A.P.E/P.E Teachers
- Anyone who is passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga and mindfulness with children of all abilities!
Participants Receive:
- Playful and compassionate connection with like-minded community.
- Comprehensive Course Manual, Online Videos, Webinars, Resources and Group Meetings.
- Hours packed full of Learning, Yoga Lesson Plans, Games, Songs, Mudras, Mantras, Chants, Stories and Activities.
- Anatomy and Physiology, Precautions and Contraindications related to children with special needs.
- Creative, Fun and Safe suggestions for Asanas (physical poses), Pranayama (breathing strategies) and relaxation and mindfulness activities.
- Suggestions for Props, Modifications, Adaptations, Tools and Supports to meet the needs of diverse cognitive and physical abilities.
- Chair Yoga for "yoga breaks" and for children with physical limitations.
- Positive Behavior Strategies
- Understanding the Nervous System, Fight/Flight/Freeze and the impact of unmanaged stress.
- Strategies and tools to support social/emotional learning and improved mental and physical health and well-being.
- Trauma Sensitive Approach.
- Poses and Breathing Strategies to support Self-regulation, Sensory Processing and Expressing/Releasing Difficult Emotions.
- Suggestions for how to structure classes and lesson plans for groups with diverse needs.
PLEASE NOTE: There is required reading for this course. Pre-order the book in this link prior to the start of the course. You have the option to order the paperback book or the Kindle version. Asanas for Autism and Special Needs - Yoga to Help Children with their Emotions, Self-regulation and Body Awareness
This course will be a combination of online self-paced learning and group learning and connection via Zoom meetings. Please Note: You will be required to attend the scheduled Zoom meetings. Please see scheduled times and dates along with dates and times for global locations above. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR TIME ZONE CONVERSION PRIOR TO REGISTERING.
Sample Course Curriculum - Once registered full Curriculum will be available by May 15th.
Lesson 1
Benefits of Yoga for Children with Diverse Needs
- Common Challenges
Lesson 2
Sensory Processing and the 8 Senses
- Vestibular System
- Proprioceptive System
- Interoception
- Crossing the Midline
- Self-regulation
Lesson 3
Body Awareness
- Visuals
- Tapping
- Songs, Games & Activities
- Right/Left
Lesson 4
Asanas/Yoga Poses
- Categories of Poses and Contraindications
- Calming Poses and Variations
- Energizing Poses and Variations
- Chair Poses
- Poses for Vestibular Input
- Poses for Proprioceptive Input
- Poses for Crossing and Coming to the Midline
- Poses for Core-Strengthening
- Motor Planning and Bi-lateral Coordination - Accessing both sides of the body
- Practice Teaching
Lesson 5
Supporting Complex Needs
- Adaptations, Modifications and Contraindications for Specific Needs
- Children with Cerebral Palsy
- Children with Down Syndrome and Prader Willi
- Children with Autism and ADHD
- Hypermobility and Low/High Tone
- Hyperactive/High Arousal
- Motor Apraxia, Speech Apraxia and Dyspraxia
Lesson 6
Breathing Strategies and Visualization Strategies
- Autonomic Nervous System - Fight/Flight/Freeze Response
- Calming (down-regulating) Breathing Strategies
- Energizing/Alerting (up-regulating) Breathing Strategies
- Releasing Difficult Emotions through the Breath
- Sensory/Self-Regulation
- Digestion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Core Activation
- Cause/Effect Breathing Activities/Tools
Lesson 7
Guided Imagery, Visualization and Meditation for Children
- Meditation/Concentration Activities
- Chants and Sounds
- Mudras
Lesson 8
Yoga Games and Activities
- Developing Yoga Based Lesson Plans
- Structuring Yoga Class by Age and Stage of Development
- Yoga Games and Activities
Lesson 9
Behavior Management
- Effective Strategies for Teaching and Reaching Children with Special Needs
- Visual Charts
Zoom Meeting Agenda Sample
Day 1:
- Introductions
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Review Syllabus and Schedule
- Review Expectations for Course
- Review Lessons 1-3
- Q&A
- Closing
Day 2:
- Journaling
- Mediation & Mantra Work
- Review Lesson 4 & 5
- Break out Room for Practice Teaching
- Closing
Day 3:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Group Practice Teaching
- Closing
Day 4:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Review Lessons 6-9
- Closing/Graduation
Course Curriculum
Your Instructor
Shawnee is a C-IAYT -Certified Yoga Therapist, Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, M.Ed., and Educational/Behavioral Specialist. She is the Founder of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and the Founder/Director of Yoga Therapy for Youth Certification Program. Shawnee has worked with children and adults with and complex and diverse needs for 30 years. She has specialized in working with children and adults with neurodiverse needs, sensory processing challenges, communication differences, developmental disabilities, mental health challenges and trauma backgrounds. Shawnee works with private clients of all brains, bodies and abilities to facilitate health and healing. Her goal is to bring the experience of yoga to all individuals no matter their differences or challenges.
She has written two published a books, Asanas for Autism and Special Needs – Yoga to Help Children with Their Emotions, Self-Regulation and Body Awareness and her second book - Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens.- Embodying a Somatosensory Approach to Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellbeing has just recently been published and is NOW AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE! She is also the creator of the C.A.L.M.M Yoga Toolkit and Body Sensations Curriculum.
She has a Yoga School through Yoga Alliance in order to train others in yoga approaches to support children and adults with neurodiverse needs and children and adults with complex needs needs and travels globally to share her teachings. Shawnee is dedicated to helping support youth and adults in developing strategies to cope with stress in order to live happier, healthier more empowered lives.
Shawnee has experienced first hand the benefits yoga and somatic practices can provide to health and overall well-being as she is a survivor of childhood trauma as well as multiple significant traumas in her adulthood, resulting in a diagnosis of PTSD. She is also a cancer survivor. She has a unique combination of understanding neurodiversity, developmental disability, trauma and other complex needs and knowing how to support people of all ages in connecting to their authentic self and building more capacity and resilience in order to live life in a more embodied and empowered way.
Shawnee has led several workshops at major conferences both in the US and Internationally; including MISTY (Montreal International Symposium for Yoga Therapy) and IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) SYTAR Conference on Yoga for Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation for children with ASD, BOOST Conference (Best Out of School Time) on Yoga for Children with Special Needs , Yoga and Mindfulness for Youth and Yoga to Reduce Stress and Increase Relaxation for Educators. TRUST Conference (Teens Understanding and Reflecting Stigma Together) on Learning to Breath, Yoga and Mindfulness for Teens, including teens struggling with mental illness and UCSD Bridging the Hearts and Minds of Youth Conference on Yoga and Mindfulness for Sensory Integration and Self-Regulation.
Shawnee has written for and has had her work featured in several magazines,podcasts and online resources. See media features here.
Shawnee also offers private and small group therapeutic sessions for children and adults as well as yoga and somatic movement workshops and trainings through her company Embodied Wellness Yoga Therapy.