Through the power of Therapeutic Yoga we help children find their own
possibilities and abilities because it is not what they cannot do, it’s about everything they can. Special Yoga Foundation offers several solutions to schools by delivering special yoga practice to children with challenges, disabilities and learning difficulties. For more information contact jess@specialyoga,org,uk
1. Special Yoga Foundation CIO
Registered Charity no. 1163374
Bringing Therapeutic
Yoga to children in SEND
and Mainstream Schools
Special Yoga Foundation
Schools Programme
2. Special Yoga Foundation CIO Registered Charity no. 1163374 | www.specialyoga.org.uk
Special Yoga Foundation exists in order to serve as
many children with special needs as possible through
the medium of yoga.
All children can benefit from the therapeutic services we
provide – a conviction born from working with thousands
of special children throughout the years and witnessing the
profound and far reaching effects that therapeutic yoga
has on the lives of every child it reaches.
“We consider all children special
and know that no label can
define or limit a child’s potential
for positive change.”
~ Jyoti Jo Manuel
3. Sri Lanka LondonRussia
The Mission of
Special Yoga
Foundation is to
reach as many
children with
special needs
as possible
throughout the UK
and worldwide with
our therapeutic
yoga programme.
To develop greater
awareness around
the benefits of
Special Yoga’s
holistic approach to
the many challenges
that children with
disabilities and
learning difficulties
face, and to deliver
Special Yoga
practice to children
worldwide.
All Children
Are Welcome
All Children
Are Special
All Children
Are Perfect
OurMission
OurVision
4. We support individuals with a wide range of
conditions including:
• cerebral palsy
• down’s syndrome
• autistic spectrum disorder
• attention deficit disorder / hyperactivity
disorder
• epilepsy
• mainstream physical, mental, behavioural
and developmental challenges
Special Yoga Foundation is a centre
of excellence which provides unique
Therapeutic Yoga and Mindfulness
practitioners and training in schools
for teachers and carers; also in other
institutions such as orphanages and
the NHS, including any other people
who may come into contact with
children with special needs.
We also offer 1:1, group sessions, and
training for special practitioners at our
centre at Portobello Dock, or within the
local area. More information:
info@specialyoga.org.uk
What We Do
5. Yoga is an
ancient practice
harmonising
mind, body
and spirit
At Special Yoga
Foundation, we see
innumerable benefits
on all levels of the
child’s wellbeing.
Over the years,
many studies have
documented the
impact that yoga and
mindfulness has on the
wellbeing of all who
practice.
When the child learns
to manage their stress
through therapeutic
yoga, it creates the
optimum state for
sustainable positive
learning and change.
Therapeutic Yoga
includes practical
techniques of movement,
balance, relaxation,
working with the breath,
sound vibration, presence
and mindfulness.
6. Some specific benefits include:
• Improved teacher/student relationships
• Reduction in stress and anxiety
• Improved resilience & immune function
• Developing the ability to self-regulate
across different environments and
demanding situations
• Developing emotional and physical
balance via the ability to relax and
release tension, fear and frustration
• Improved self-awareness of both body
and mind
• Improved quality and quantity of sleep
• Enhanced sense of wellbeing, calm
and peace
• Sensory integration
• Sensory diet: becoming aware of the
effect of food on the body & mind
Our programmes
are designed to
be integrated into
‘Education Provision
Maps’ and provide
support in student
‘Prioritising Targets’
strategies.
7. Reinforcing
posture
to receive
learning
Improving
concentration
& behaviour
Reducing
depression
and anxiety
Improving
flexibility and
fitness
Improving
overall self
esteem and
mental
alertness
Through the power of Therapeutic Yoga we help children find their own possibilities and
abilities because it is not what they cannot do, it’s about everything they can.
These techniques when implemented over time can have significant positive affects on:
This gives a model of sustainability for therapeutic yoga within each
school. Delivery is through school staff with training and ongoing
support from SYF, which ensures successful management of the
programme and positive outcomes for students. This is achieved by
the practitioner, who provides your therapeutic yoga programme
being also your first point of call within SYF. This relationship is based
on sharing the same intentions with a solid understanding of the
school’s unique values, staff strengths and specific challenges.
This relationship enables each session to be beneficial to all who take
part. It is the ideal space for students to be invited to move towards
their intentions and have their needs met with support. As each
student learns to become more independent in their self-regulation
they move closer towards their optimal state for learning.
Special Yoga Foundation, redefining possible
To further maintain sustainability, we also offer support in
implementing therapeutic yoga programmes into provision maps;
finding evidenced-based practice through our research community
and offering an online practitioner support platform.
We collect student progression data and Special Yoga Foundation
offers a wide range of further CPD opportunities and trainings.
Articles have appeared in respected professional journals such as School
Psychology Review, Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, Early Child
Development & Care, and the International Journal of Rehabilitation & Health
confirming the efficacy of Special Yoga for Children with Special Needs.
8. Package 1
34 – 37 weekly sessions
throughout the academic year
Our accredited (ASDAN and YAUK)
trained practitioners deliver group and
1:1 sessions in the school day throughout
the school year for Special Educational
Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and
Emotional and Behavioural Disorder
(EBD) students.
Programmes are individually tailored to
the school’s requirements but average
preferred class size is eight with TA
support for pupils, where applicable.
Class length and sizes are specifically
tailored to age and ability appropriate to
the class.
1:1 and small specific group programmes
can also be offered.
Package 2, Collaborative
training which offers
sustainable Therapeutic
Yoga Provision in schools
Focusing on sustainability and cost-
effective practices, Package 2 offers a
collaborative delivery system with an
accredited (ASDAN & YAUK) trained
practitioner and two staff members.
Our practitioner delivers 1:1 and group
classes mirroring Package 1 for two terms,
during which two staff members from the
school attend and assist in these sessions.
The two staff members then attend
a 7-day training on Special Yoga for
Special Children foundation course (7
Days training). These staff members
could be a TA, physiotherapist,
occupational therapist or teacher.
The Special Yoga practitioner continues
to support the two staff members by
providing on-site and online support and
mentoring to the individuals who take over
delivering the classes within the school.
Package 3
Bolt-on School Inset
Trainings
We can provide a two and a half
hour twilight workshop and a more in
depth 1-day inset training for staff.
You will learn some of the basic
techniques of working with breath,
mindfulness and movement.
It has been our experience in the wide
range of schools that we support, that
as the benefits and value of special
yoga techniques are witnessed,
school staff are motivated to seek
out deeper practical knowledge and
insights to apply in the classroom.
Courses & Training Special Yoga Foundation offers several
solutions to schools by delivering special
yoga practice to children with challenges,
disabilities and learning difficulties.
9. Accreditation and Endorsement of
Special Yoga Foundation Trainings
Evaluation Program
Understanding the needs of Schools to monitor and evaluate
We have easy-to-use evaluation tools for both teachers and practitioners, to help schools
provide the data requirements for Education Provision Maps and provide support in student
‘Prioritising Targets’ strategies. We can also work together with the school on specific
evaluation forms and Ofsted requirements.
10. “Students develop self-
management and
relaxation techniques to
transfer.”
~ SPA School, Southwark
“Special yoga contributes
towards strengthening
the core muscles, better
balancing skills, better
posture, body awareness
and self-awareness.”
~ Jack Tizard School,
Hammersmith & Fulham
Testimonials
“Within the yoga sessions the
pupils show greater awareness
of the structure of sessions. They
have improved memory for the
routines taught. They are willing
to go to the yoga session and
participate well. Most pupils
demonstrate that they can find
peace within the session and
are calm and compliant with
instruction.”
~ Manor School, Brent
