CHILD AND TEEN YOGA THERAPY
Child and teen yoga therapy
I offer Yoga Therapy to children and teens of all ages and abilities. Yoga has been scientifically proven to offer significant physical and mental benefits to children and teenagers at this very important stage of their lives. Through Yoga Therapy I work inclusively and holistically, using a multi-dimensional approach to support and enhance wellbeing.
‘Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.’
What is Yoga Therapy?
Yoga Therapy sessions lead to increased emotional wellbeing. Sessions give children the chance to explore and understand how they are feeling through connecting with their body. This mindful approach brings children greater confidence, autonomy and empowerment and the ability to communicate their needs in a relaxed and mindful way.
For more detailed information about how I work with children and teenagers please continue reading.
“ We did an exercise on how to slow one’s breathing, because I suffer from anxiety attacks, and that was probably one of the most useful and amazing things I’ve ever learnt”.
“Rebekah has a natural ability to connect and communicate with children and teens creating a relaxed and safe environment”.
Benefits of Yoga Therapy include:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved resilience and immune function
- Develops the ability to self-regulate and manage transitions
- Enhanced sense of wellbeing, calm and peace
- Establishes a calm, organised mental state
- Develops physical strength, muscle tone, flexibility, and balance
- Creates focus and develops concentration
Schools can use Pupil Premium Plus and EHCP Funding for Yoga Therapy
To book 1-1 and group Yoga Therapy sessions for children and teenagers please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
What will happen before a session?
Before I begin Yoga Therapy sessions with a child I will meet with the school and/ or parent. In this initial session we will discuss why the child has been referred for Yoga Therapy and how it is hoped that the sessions will support them. During this session I will also need to complete an intake form for the child which includes any medical conditions I may need to be aware of and any mental health challenges that the child is experiencing. I will do a similar, but briefer intake with the child during the first few sessions we have together to get to know them better in their own words.
Please refer to the consent and agreement form for information regarding confidentiality and systemic practice.
What happens during a yoga therapy session?
During the Yoga Therapy session, I meet a child where they are both physically and emotionally and we go from there, because of this each session will be different. Sessions will vary hugely depending on the intention for the Yoga Therapy sessions and the age, needs and personality of a child. During sessions I will draw from a huge treasure chest of techniques, these include movement work, both embodied exploration and traditional Yoga postures, breathing techniques, mindfulness practices and relaxation experiences and techniques. The use of sound, music, art and self-massage and reflexology techniques may also be used.
I work with 2 key approaches, and often both are used within sessions.
Approach one uses the therapeutic intervention of traditional yoga techniques. For example, I select, or we devise together (depending on age and ability of child) a yoga practice that will support the child with a specific intention and focus. For a child who is experiencing anxiety this could be postures and breathing techniques to aid relaxation and lessen anxiety or for a child with cerebral palsy this could be a restorative yoga practice to bring physical release and support breathing. These are just two simple examples.
Approach two uses an embodied, somatic approach. I support a child to explore and trust their own intuition on how they want to move their bodies using embodied dialogue. This approach can lead to profound and important insights and is especially appropriate for working with older teenagers and those children who are open to a deeper therapeutic process.
Sessions always follow an approach that will best serve the child, ensuring they feel safe and relaxed. A Yoga Therapy session ends with a chance for integration, this may be experientially through relaxation or verbally through reflective dialogue.
To book 1-1 and group Yoga Therapy sessions with children and teenagers please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
‘I feel lovely and relaxed’
‘I feel calm, peaceful and safe’
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