Yoga and Autism by Sandra Begovic
Yoga i autizam
Prvi korak kod podučavanja yoge djeci iz spektra autizma je uspostavljanje snažne veze s djetetom. Da bi se to postiglo yoga terapeut treba ući u djetetov svijet i steći povjerenje. Kako dijete i terapeut polako razvijaju odnos temeljen na povjerenju i prijateljstvu, počinju se predstavljati yoga položaji (asane) i tehnike disanja (pranayame), koje će pomoći da dijete izađe is svog svijeta i počne interakciju s okolinom.
Nakon što osnovni yoga položaji učeniku postanu ugodni, terapeut dodaje nove i naprednije položaje, ali i tehniku dubokog opuštanja. Kroz yoga terapiju jačamo djetetov živčani sustav i opće zdravlje, te pomažemo da se razvije bolja koncentracija i svjesnost vlastitog tijela. Kada se postigne optimalan stupanj fiziološkog i prihološkog razvoja, yoga terapija djeci pomaže da ostvare nove motoričke, komunikacijske i društvene vještine. Krajnji rezultat je opće poboljšanje kvalitete života.
Djeca iz spektra autizma imaju velike koristi od redovite yoga terapije. Ono što yoga terapiju čini učinkovitom je ne samo da umiruje, nego djeci i mladima pruža alate odnosno tehnike koje nose kući i sami koriste u svakodnevnom životu. Ti alati su redom: asana, pranayama i dobuko opuštanje.
Asana izgrađuje jako i fleksibilno tijelo, poboljšava ravnotežu, koordinaciju i pomaže razvijati motoričke vještine, te povećava koncentraciju i vrijeme pažnje. Pranayama pomaže u autoregulaciji, samosvjesnosti i reguliranju daha. Opuštanje pomaže kod umirivanja živčanog sustava, potičući opći mir u našem tijelo-um sustavu, te smanjuje tjeskobu i nervozu.
Yoga direktno radi na svim poljima na kojima djeca i mladi iz spektra autizma pokazuju drugačije potrebe. Pomaže u povećanju svjesnosti o tijelu, poboljšava razvoj motoričkih vještina, pomaže kod razvijanja samopoštovanja i komunikacijskih vještina. Sve te vještine su životno važne i ohrabruju da se dijete bolje uklopi u svijet oko sebe.
Yoga and autism
The first step in teaching yoga to children on the autism spectrum is establishing a strong connection with the child. To achieve this, the yoga therapist needs to enter the child's world and gain trust. As the child and therapist slowly develop a relationship based on trust and friendship, yoga poses (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama) are introduced. These techniques help the child transition from their world and begin interacting with the environment.Once the basic yoga poses become comfortable for the student, the therapist introduces new and more advanced poses, as well as deep relaxation techniques. Through yoga therapy, we strengthen the child's nervous system and overall health, helping to improve concentration and body awareness. When an optimal level of physiological and psychological development is achieved, yoga therapy helps children acquire new motor, communication, and social skills. The ultimate result is a general improvement in the quality of life.
Children on the autism spectrum benefit significantly from regular yoga therapy. What makes yoga therapy effective is not only its calming effect but also the tools and techniques it provides to children and adolescents to use in their daily lives. These tools include asana, pranayama, and deep relaxation.
Asana builds a strong and flexible body, improves balance, coordination, and helps develop motor skills while increasing concentration and attention span. Pranayama assists in self-regulation, self-awareness, and breath control. Relaxation aids in calming the nervous system, promoting overall peace in our body-mind system and reducing anxiety and restlessness.
Yoga directly addresses all the areas where children and youth on the autism spectrum show different needs. It helps increase body awareness, enhances motor skill development, contributes to the development of self-esteem, and improves communication skills. All these skills are crucial for encouraging children to better integrate into the world around them.