Yoga is a mind and body practice. It is a common notion that it is mostly done by adults because it combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation. What if we say that yoga is for everyone, that it is also a good activity especially for children with special needs? Let Reem Mallawi of Special Souls Yoga tell you more about it.
Tell us something about yourself.
I am a highly motivated yoga teacher who has a Master’s Degree in Speech Therapy with 10 years of experience working with individuals with special needs. My clinical knowledge helped me provide depth and better understanding of yoga for various disabilities.
When did you start teaching yoga to children with special needs, and what is your motivation?
Three years ago, I started my own journey with yoga; and soon after, I started practicing with my younger sister who is a beautiful girl with Down syndrome. I realised the importance of improving wellbeing for everyone including individuals with disabilities. I found the perfect program to have the required training and started my freelancing business two years ago.
What are the benefits of yoga to children with special needs?
Individuals with special needs such as Down syndrome, Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy and other learning disabilities have difficulties with concentration, attention, memory, decreased body awareness, communication and speech. Therefore, yoga poses ‘Asana’ and breathing exercises ‘Pranayama’ will help improve muscle tone, body awareness, increase flexibility, concentration, memory, and communication.
Yoga is a lifestyle which requires commitment and continuity in order to see results and improvement. Yoga for individuals with special needs does not replace the rehabilitation therapies such as speech, physical, occupational, and behavioural therapies but rather complements them.
What are the methods that you use in teaching yoga?
I follow the footsteps of my teacher Sonia Sumar who developed the ‘Yoga For The Special Child’ method while keeping in mind the practises that are culturally appropriate here in Saudi Arabia.
The program implements the Hatha yoga style, but of course with special considerations to the physical and cognitive skills of the individual with special needs.
What should we expect of a yoga program?
The yoga classes are best delivered in a one-on-one session style, which is ideal for individuals with special needs to focus on their strengths and abilities and then build on that. The other option would be group classes but it’s usually done if the individuals had similar levels of performance.
A typical yoga class will include practicing breathing techniques and yoga poses. Of course, each class will progress into more advanced practises depending on the individual’s level and performance.
What is the age range of the children that you can teach?
The method can be applied on any age.
Having a disability is never a hindrance for children with special needs to grow as an individual, and yoga will be an additional help for them to reach their full potential.
SPECIAL SOULS YOGA
Reem Mallawi
Email: specialsoulsyoga@gmail.com
Instagram: @specialsoulsyoga
