| Sensory Integration |
Sensory Integration & Yoga
Sensory integration is an important part of human body & brain growth.
Movement games, yoga & creative art activities not only help integrate the
senses, but also help children strengthen the body, improve focus & overall
health, enhance cognitive learning & encourage positive social interaction!
Here are some of the ways yoga, dance & other movement programs can help
regulate & integrate the many aspects of the sensory system:
*By the way, did you know there are actually 8 senses-not 5 as we were always
taught ?
Movement games, yoga & creative art activities not only help integrate the
senses, but also help children strengthen the body, improve focus & overall
health, enhance cognitive learning & encourage positive social interaction!
Here are some of the ways yoga, dance & other movement programs can help
regulate & integrate the many aspects of the sensory system:
*By the way, did you know there are actually 8 senses-not 5 as we were always
taught ?
Tactile/Touch:
- bare feet/hands feeling floor or mat
- hands touching various parts of body for support
- use of rain sticks, balls, drums & other props
- instructor's/ 1:1 physical prompts if needed
- partner poses
- handling various mediums during art activities
Proprioception-(Body Awareness):
- weight bearing & balancing on muscles & joints
- frequent changing body positions
- repetitive flow of postures
- deep breathing and singing/toning (vibration in the chest)
- hydration during movement class
- self massage of hands & feet using hands or rubber balls
Vestibular (Balance):
- posture & balance poses flexion/extension movements strengthen & tone core & back muscles
- posture flow improves motor control
- storytelling & sequencing encourage language skills
- directional changes &stop/start motions & sequences improve motor planning
- transitions between postures become smoother building body confidence
* Heavy Work Activities: Did you Know...
Heavy work activities are thought to provide the longest sensory effect with
combined benefits of proprioceptive and vestibular stimulation (heavy work
routines potentially have a calming effect on the nervous system for 4-6 hours).
through heavy doors, pushing a grocery or work cart, pushing a laundry basket,
that requires resistance with movement.pulling a friend in a wagon, helping to
move furniture, vacuuming – Any activity that requires resistance with
movement.
Heavy work activities are thought to provide the longest sensory effect with
combined benefits of proprioceptive and vestibular stimulation (heavy work
routines potentially have a calming effect on the nervous system for 4-6 hours).
through heavy doors, pushing a grocery or work cart, pushing a laundry basket,
that requires resistance with movement.pulling a friend in a wagon, helping to
move furniture, vacuuming – Any activity that requires resistance with
movement.
Visual:
- eye muscles are strengthened by watching instructor's movements
- visual discrimination memory & sequencing is improved by observing
& imitating postures - peripheral vision is strengthened through targeted games &
activities - Imitation of postures & sequencing of postures helps improve
mental & visual focus - Art activities improve rod/cone visual processing through use of
Auditory:
- Listening to instructions, sound recognition & reproduction (foreign
languages), discriminating between sounds - Story telling, repetitive phrases/ singing/rhymes, imitating sounds.
- Singing & toning
- Use of rain sticks, maracas, drums & music to enhance the sensory
experience - Taking turns listening to classmates & partners
Olfactory/Smell (Aromatherapy):
Aromatherapy is the science of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant
materials, known as essential oils, and other natural aromatic compounds
(coffee, herbs, spices,scented dough, etc) for the purpose of improving a
person's mood, cognitive function or health. In recent years there has been an
interest is using aromatherapy for reducing the anxiety and behaviors
associated with autism and other Sensory processing disorders.
Read more here...
- aromatherapy for calming/alerting used in class (chamomile, lavender,
citrus, peppermint )
Aromatherapy is the science of alternative medicine that uses volatile plant
materials, known as essential oils, and other natural aromatic compounds
(coffee, herbs, spices,scented dough, etc) for the purpose of improving a
person's mood, cognitive function or health. In recent years there has been an
interest is using aromatherapy for reducing the anxiety and behaviors
associated with autism and other Sensory processing disorders.
Read more here...
Gustation (n) :
1. the act of tasting.
2. the sense of taste.
1. the act of tasting.
2. the sense of taste.
Gustation: (In the kitchen)
Kids can help in the vegetable or herb garden & in the kitchen with
simple tasks. It helps them be exposed to different textures, tastes &
smells. Following the recipe steps teaches order & focus and eating
food that they helped prepare gives a sense of self-reliance &
meaningful accomplishment!
*All movement helps children digest not only the foods they eat, but
the information they are receiving through their other senses!
In addition:
Kids can help in the vegetable or herb garden & in the kitchen with
simple tasks. It helps them be exposed to different textures, tastes &
smells. Following the recipe steps teaches order & focus and eating
food that they helped prepare gives a sense of self-reliance &
meaningful accomplishment!
*All movement helps children digest not only the foods they eat, but
the information they are receiving through their other senses!
In addition:
- knead ingredients, (proprioceptive/tactile)
- measure ingredients (visual)
| We offer individualized programming based on the student's unique physical ability, cognitive ability and learning style. Contact Barbara for a complimentary phone consultation Barbara@bodylogique.com |
* The sense of Interoception ( internal body
sensations) is improved & strengthened by deep
breathing exercises combined with large muscle
movement as well as relaxation exercises.
Yoga helps calm outer
responses so one's inner
responses can be observed.
sensations) is improved & strengthened by deep
breathing exercises combined with large muscle
movement as well as relaxation exercises.
Yoga helps calm outer
responses so one's inner
responses can be observed.
| How does Yoga Improve Sensory Integration? (*Also See Educational & Phys Ed Standards ) |
Public School Phys Ed Standards:
- Balance while bending and stretching.
- Recognize that skill development requires practice.
- Identify various body parts and their location.
- Create movements using different body parts.
- Discuss the connection between food, nutrition and energy.
- Develop responsibility for expected behavior on the playground
- Stretch basic muscle groups.
- Co-ordinate individually, with a partner or in a group.
- Understand how the body functions as a whole.
- Recognize and appreciate their own and others feelings.
- Move each joint in a full range of motion.
- Integrate personal meaning through a creative movement
experience.
Shared benefits of Sensory Integration Therapy & Yoga include:
- Mind/Body Flexibility: Increases ability to adjust to change.
- Body Awareness: Improves gross motor planning skills.
- Coordination/Balance: Increases participation/confidence during playground/phys-ed
activities.
- Concentration: Enhances ability to regulate own level of alertness & handle distractions.
- Focus: Enhances the experience of attending, participating & learning
- Communication: Improves listening and creates spontaneous expression of new skills.
- Social: Creates opportunities for use of social skills & positive interactions with peers.
- Self Confidence: Facilitates independence during functional activities.
- Stress Management: Increases motivation & self esteem as it decreases anxiety and fear.
- Positive Reinforcement: Enhances experiences of joy and fun
| * Read: Yoga & Sensory Integration |
You have got to keep autistic children engaged
with the world. You cannot let them tune out.
~Temple Grandin
with the world. You cannot let them tune out.
~Temple Grandin
Elements of Yoga:
- Many yoga poses incorporate balancing, and all use stretching.
- Practicing over a period of time yields noticeable Improvements.
- Instructor discusses and uses graphic demonstration of anatomy
- Yoga utilizes all body parts in its regime.
- Instructor discusses how food affects our bodies and minds.
- Yoga involves the development of self-discipline and concentration as well as
respect for others. - The practice of yoga affects every muscle group in the body.
- Yoga provides opportunities for group or partner experiences.
- A holistic viewpoint of the body is a basic part of yoga.
- Through yoga, a variety of feelings arise, and the instructor emphasizes
validating feelings. - Students learn to move every joint, with an emphasis on safely extending the
range of motion. - Yoga practice is as much an introspective meditation as it is a system of
physical exercise, so it encourages personal meaning
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Adaptive Movement Education
for Children with Special Needs
"Moving the Body~Engaging The Senses ~Inspiring Learning"
"Moving the Body~Engaging The Senses ~Inspiring Learning"
Adaptive Movement Education
