Yoga for Special Needs Children: Strengthening Core Muscles

Photo: Children in Bow Pose,  artsriot.com 

Today I am happy to have a guest post from Craig Hanauer of Every Kids Yoga

Craig is a New York State Certified Creative Arts Therapist, a Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher, and a Yoga Alliance 500-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher.

Committed to the health and empowerment of children, Craig has developed "Every Kid's Yoga", a unique and successful program for children with special needs, that integrates the creative arts, yoga, and play.

Today he writes about strengthening the core through yoga. The core is the area where all other movements originate from and Yoga can be a great way to support core strength as a supplemental activity for OT, PT and other types of traditional therapy. However, please use caution and common sense when selecting postures for children who have spine, joint or other weaknesses or injuries. Start with basics and build movements slowly, modifying and adapting as needed. Use the modifications that Craig has discussed below and if you are not sure if a posture is appropriate, please consult with the child's doctor and other therapists.

If you are not sure how to modify, or adapt, you can leave a question in the comments area for Craig or myself, or find more information in the "Related Articles" links below.



Yoga Strengthens Core Musculature

by Craig Hanauer

The muscles of the core include those surrounding the pelvis, those adjacent to the spine, and those surrounding the scapula, all lying closest to the bone. When these muscles contract, they stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle, and create a solid base of support. One is then able to generate powerful and controlled movements of the extremities. The goal of core stability is to maintain a solid foundation and to transfer energy from the center of the body out to the limbs.

When working with children, Sheila Frick, OTR/L recommends placing emphasis upon activating the core musculature to achieve deeper respiration and to increase core strength and endurance. The goal is to develop the deep muscles that lie closest to the bone, especially the muscles providing three-dimensional support around the central vertical axis of the head, neck and trunk. It is important to maintain a continuous flow of breath with focus on the exhalation during core activation so as to coordinate movement with the breath.

When these deep muscles are engaged, postural control and breath support become effortless, as minimal conscious effort is required. Thus, surface muscles, designed for skill, are released from undesirable "fixing" and are instead able to function according to their natural design. When the body moves with ease and fluidity, the child is free to creatively and independently execute complex reasoning for communication, problem solving, planning, organizing and executing life tasks and roles.

Engaging young children in musical movement sequences that engage the core musculature and prompting them to sing along is a sure way to increase core strength and postural support.  If they are singing while they are "swimming" they are taking a deep inhalation followed by a long controlled exhalation.

[You can use "The Goldfish Song" K-2  (3:28), Laurie Berkner, from the CD "Victor Vito" ]


Movements:

• Resting in prone position with head to the side
• Cobra (wake-up)
• Shake lower legs (shake out your tail)
• Locust Pose with arms extended (swimming)
• On knees act out shower and brush teeth
• Supine position propped on elbows, bicycle/extend legs
• Pat mouth and yawn (sleepy)

Modifications:

• Gently touch below collarbones to prompt lifting the chest
• If they are unable to lift their chest off the floor for swimming, place a pillow or folded blanket beneath the chest to provide support

Benefits:

• Increases core strength
• The song naturally vacillates between high and low energy
• Children are engaged and grounded in one place
• Simple chorus for singing along
• Supports receptive language skills with simple acting out scenarios
• Contains humor

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Find Craig's Full Training Descriptions:  

http://everykidsyoga.com 

To find additional adaptive yoga training, visit: 

www.bodylogique.com 

Related Articles:

Breaking it Down

If You Give a Kid Their Core...

Games that Build Core Strength for Kids

Good Posture from the Ground Up

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