Namaste:

The Benefits of

Yoga in and out

of the Classroom

ITDHH Conference 2016

Presenters

– Danielle DeGuzman

– Teacher, DTH, Interpreter

– Yoga Club Sponsor & Avid Yogi

– Not a Certified Yoga Instructor

– Mindy Minaeri

– Sign Language Interpreter

– Yoga Club Sponsor & Avid Yogi

– Not a Certified Yoga Instructor

What is yoga?

– Merriam-Wester:

– Noun; A system of exercises for physical and mental health

– A Hindu philosophy that teaches people to experience inner peace by controlling

body and mind

– Student-friendly definition:

– Breathing, stretching, and poses to help you workout AND feel calm

Let’s Practice!

– Yoga Warm-up: Mindful Breathing

Documented Benefits of Yoga

– Improved confidence and self-esteem

– Decreased stress and anxiety

– Development of physical strength, flexibility, and coordination

– Improved self-regulating skills and overall focus

– Development of communication skills and executive functioning

Yoga Benefits with DHH

Students

– We noticed:

– Students appeared calmer & happier.

– Students became more confident in

themselves physically

– Student with cerebral palsy improved

range of motion and overall

physicality

– Students began using breathing

techniques on their own during

stressful events

– Other staff reported a positive

change in students’ behavior

– Students reported:

– “Yoga makes me feel better.”

– “I like yoga a lot because it helps

my back.”

– “It makes me flexible.”

– “I enjoy coming to yoga and

learning new things.”

– “I like everything about yoga!”

Yoga During the School Day

– When?

– Beginning of a class

– Before a test

– Coming back from lunch, recess, PE, etc.

– Where?

– Sitting at a desk

– Standing behind desk

– Around the classroom

– Outside!

– Why?

– Distracted students learn to focus on themselves and the task at hand

– Helps anxious kids settle

– Physical outlet for the movers and shakers

– Unite the class and get everyone’s attention

Yoga During the School Day

– How to Incorporate Yoga At School?

– Mindful breathing

– Stretching

– Up, down, side to side, circular rotations

– Basic Poses

– Down dog, plank, windmill, cat cow, balance poses

More Practice!

– Chair Yoga: Stretching

Yoga as an Extra-Curricular

– Logistics:

– 1 hour club = 45 minutes of yoga

– Semi-private location

– Towels can be used in place of mats

– Dim lighting if possible

– Spare clothes if needed

– Yoga Instructor Options:

– DVDs

– Online videos

– Fellow faculty member?

– Wii

– Pictures

Deaf Yoga Strategies

– Count Breaths

– Determine how many breaths a pose will be held before starting

– Video & Pictures

– Pause to clarify and expand as needed

– Allows you to circulate for assistance

– Watch Then Do

– Allows you to actively lead

– May need to make time for commenting

– Signs, Lights & Fans

– Agree on common signs (yoga, inhale, exhale, down dog, etc.)

– Attention grabbers: flashlight if lights are dimmed; wave Chinese hand fan

Adaptations for Deaf Plus

– Chair yoga

– Enlist a staff member to assist physically constrained students

– Partner stretches

– Modify poses (ex: arms out instead of up)

– Collaborate with PT, OT, SW, SLP, etc.

Adaptations for Littles

– Ages 0-3

– Itsy Bitsy Yoga – Helen Garabedian

– Grades PK-8

– Wisdom Within – Allison Morgan

– Good Night Yoga – Mariam Gates

– Yoga Pretzels (Yoga Cards) – Guber & Kalish

Meditation and Mindfulness

- 1-3 minutes of quiet

- Set and reflect on goals

- Positive affirmations (with breath)

- De-stress with coloring

Final Practice!

– Basic Poses

Our Resources

– Pediatric Yoga Seminar – Summit Professional Education

– Summit-education.com

– This is Yoga – DVD Series – Tara Stiles

– tarastiles.com

– Deaf Yoga for Beginners DVD – Lila Lolling

– Lilalolling.com

– Yoga and Mindful Chair Yoga Videos – White Cloud Wellness

– whitecloudwellness.com

– Gentle Chair Yoga – Cara Kircher on YouTube

– Yoga4Classrooms.com