Tips for teaching accessible yoga to the neurodivergent community

Hello! My name is Hannah Gould. I identify as neurotypical, and I teach yoga mainly to autistic adults with high support needs. I started my professional career as a special education teacher, and now I have been teaching yoga for 20 years. I have had the privilege of teaching and learning from people who think, move, communicate, and approach their lives in so many different ways! I am passionate about being both a teacher and an ally to the autistic community.

Early in my teaching journey I connected with Eve Megargel and her son, Billy. Billy was a teenager when we started working together, and he is now an experienced yogi in his mid 30’s. Billy is a non-verbal communicator. Eve and I initially developed a visual yoga curriculum for Billy. That curriculum evolved into the Voice Colors Visual Yoga System and Yoga for Autism teacher training. 

Hannah and Billy doing yoga together

Voice Colors Yoga is the teaching method I use, and our visual yoga system has been an invaluable teaching tool for me. The teaching tips I offer below are in alignment with Voice Colors Yoga, and can also be applied more generally. 

Making yoga instruction accessible to all types of learners

Visual supports are incredibly helpful. I notice that the more information I provide visually, the more confident and independent my students can be! Here are some ways you might incorporate visual supports in your yoga class:

Hannah demonstrating godess pose to Billy

• Provide visual schedules and structure classes in a familiar and predictable way 

• Show yoga poses and sequences visually, with both pictures and text

• Pair those pictures with clear and concise verbal instruction and physical modelling 

• Use props to support students in finding their range of motion and feeling where their limbs are in space: For example, reach up to touch a pool noodle or bend a knee to touch a block

• Use visual timers or countdowns so students know how long they will be holding a pose, doing a flow or resting

• Put visual supports in the environment to provide information such as: Where to put shoes and coats, where to find water or the bathroom, or class expectations such as using a quiet voice and cleaning your mat after practice

Recognize all students as communicators

Behaviour is communication! Often someone’s tone of voice, body language and energy can tell you more about how they are feeling and what they might need than their words can. Notice how each student uses body language, sound, verbal scripts or other ways to communicate. Here are some ways to encourage and support communication in your yoga class:

Voice Colors Yoga for Autism teacher training

• Encourage students to use their AAC devices or other communication supports

• Use invitational language, rather than issuing directives

• Provide basic visual communication scripts such as “I need a break”, “I need water”, “I need the bathroom” and “I need help”

• If a student expresses joy, celebrate with them! 

• If a student expresses distress, let them know you are available to help 

• Allow students to take breaks or self-regulate in their own way

• Answer questions honestly and completely

• Listen with interest. Be patient. Communicate from your heart

 

View students of any ability as capable of learning, growing and thriving

People with the highest support needs are often sorely underestimated. This is deeply unfortunate and unfair! Humans are meant to be life-long learners. Everyone deserves access to opportunities to try new things and take on new challenges. And everyone deserves to be supported by others who believe in them! Here are some ways to introduce new experiences and to encourage your yoga students to keep learning, growing and developing independence in their yoga practice:

Hannah demonstrating Warrior II

• Introduce new concepts and experiences

• Explore new props or sensory objects

• Offer new poses or new variations of poses

• Give choices

• Teach challenging poses with multiple levels. For example: Side plank with the option to have your hand on the mat, on a chair or on the wall

• Trust students to move at their own pace and approach things in their own way

• Respect student’s body autonomy. Encourage independence whenever possible, and get consent (verbal or non-verbal) for hands-on assists

• Encourage students to be self-advocates 

Yoga is all about connection

While I easily engage with the world through words, I notice that many of my students are more naturally engaged with sensation, breath, energy and movement. Yoga allows me to meet my students in this richer and quieter place. I am honored to share it with them.

Hannah using a block to help Billy find what works for him

• Students need time to connect with their own bodies and inner experience. Allow time to explore different variations of poses. Support students in finding what works best for them

• Build in mindful pauses and transitions. Slow down enough to “feel” yoga, not just “do” yoga

• Value the experience of sharing yoga with your students: Enjoy breathing together, moving together, relaxing together and just being together

• Try to learn as much from your students as you teach them  

• Appreciate the contributions each person brings to class

• Set the tone: Model being supportive, patient and kind

• Be responsible for the energy you bring into the room. Do your own yoga and self-care practices so you can remain calm and grounded when you teach 

If you are a teacher, I hope you will consider integrating some of these ideas into your teaching. If you are a student, perhaps there are some ideas here that can help to guide your practice or accommodations you can advocate for in the classes you take. 

I love connecting with others in the neurodivergent yoga community, and I hope we can learn from each other! 

Feel free to email me and start a conversation: hannah@voicecolorsyoga.org

And if you would like to learn more about Voice Colors Yoga and our 30-hour Yoga for Autism training, please visit: https://www.voicecolors.org/teacher-trainings