Yoga Therapy for NDIS & Special Needs
Why Yoga Ayurveda Therapy is best for special needs
Yoga helps with so many conditions including cystic fibrosis. In addition Yoga therapy is best for people with special needs. But who doesn't have special needs? Ayurveda states we are all unique and there is not one method that suits all people. Yoga Therapy uses yoga postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and guided imagery to improve mental and physical health. Furthermore the holistic focus of yoga therapy encourages the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Likewise modern yoga therapy covers a broad range of therapeutic modalities, incorporating elements from both physical therapy and psychotherapy.
Combing Yoga and Ayurveda makes a wholistic practice where a growing field of scientific evidence has begun to emphasise its efficacy. It is used to treat existing mental and physical health issues, but can also be used as a self-care strategy for prevention and maintenance.
Bondi Yoga Therapy goes to the home
We go to the home or alternatively you can come to us in Bondi Beach. As well as we assess each persons unique strengths, weaknesses and lifestyle challenges. Gradually we introduce Yoga exercises, breathing, mediation and Ayurveda practices by guiding you one-on-one (as Yoga Ayurveda were traditionally taught). These exercises can be practiced in a bed or chair as required. Clients with special needs and participants of the NDIS program are welcome.
For best results ongoing weekly guidance and support is suggested. Regular instruction with a trained Yoga Therapist provides personal tools that can improve your life. In fact there is no condition Yoga and Ayurveda can not help. We see people all over the world reaping the benefits from integrating Yoga and Ayurveda into their lives.
Yoga Ayurveda therapist and special needs
Zoe our Yoga Ayurveda Therapist has worked with people with disabilities, mental health, chronic illness and injuries throughout the last 25 years. She has personal experience with a brother who had an acquired brain injury and then later suffering with dementia. She has worked with clients with Parkinsons and other life challenging conditions. Zoe has an intuitive ability to connect with people and adjust her teaching practices to fit in with their personality and needs.
We work with each persons unique needs and personality, one-on-one (as Yoga Ayurveda were traditionally taught). For best results ongoing weekly guidance and support is suggested.
Located in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney we go to peoples homes. We are open to discuss the possibility of other areas such as the lower north shore and inner city. Of course you are always welcome to come to Bondi Beach for your private one-on-one session with Zoe.
Yoga can help everyone at any stage of their life such as:-
Stroke recovery, cystic fibrosis, heart problems, critical lifestyle challenges, addictions, injury recovery, chronic illness, disabilities, mental health, arthritis, menopause, sports injuries, ageing and confidence, Parkinson's condition, asthma, anxiety and stress, back pain, blood disorders, dementia, cancer, cardiovascular disease, circulatory disorders, diabetes, depression, fatigue, heart abnormalities, immune disorders, migraines, muscle pain, obesity, skeletal-muscular disorders, thyroid disorders and more..
It's been more than 10 years since I first found yoga. Unlike so many others, I can't say I was hooked on yoga right from the start. In the beginning, I found it too mentally challenging. Too slow. Too much time to think. Too difficult to follow the instructor's breathing cues. What I didn't realize at the time is that yoga was exactly what I needed, so I'm thankful that it kept finding its way back into my life.
Over the years, yoga has helped me to better manage my struggles with depression, anxiety, attention deficit disorder, and my health with cystic fibrosis. I have found the pranayama part of yoga (breathing exercises) to be incredibly helpful in slowing down -- and deepening -- my breath. It's helped me get back to the “belly breathing” I remember learning as a kid in CF clinic.
The asana, or physical practice, of yoga has helped me to gain strength and flexibility and challenges me in ways that I welcome. Yoga is called a practice for a reason; ultimately there is no end goal. As long as we practice, we can continue to grow and deepen our stretches and postures and watch them evolve over time. The combination of the pranayama and asana together has helped me to learn to appreciate and live in the moment and slow down my often racing thoughts.
The great thing about yoga is it's easily accessible to anyone and everyone at any time, no matter their physical capabilities. There is no special equipment required (i.e., yoga mats and fancy leggings are optional). All you need is an open mind, willingness, and clothes that allow you to move. For more information click here.
Review of yoga and cardiovascular disease
published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology indicates that yoga may help lower heart disease risk as much as conventional exercise, such as brisk walking.
As I write in the April issue of the Harvard Heart Letter, the studies in the review looked at different types of yoga, including both gentler and more energetic forms. The participants ranged from young, healthy individuals to older people with health conditions. Over all, people who took yoga classes saw improvements in a number of factors that affect heart disease risk. They lost an average of five pounds, shaved five points off their blood pressure, and lowered their levels of harmful LDL cholesterol by 12 points.
The findings came as no surprise to Dr. Gloria Yeh, an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and co-author of the review article. “Yoga is unique because it incorporates physical activity, breathing, and meditation,” says Dr. Yeh. As she explains, each of these elements positively affects cardiovascular risk factors, so combining them was bound to show a benefit. In addition, two other ancient practices that join slow, flowing motions with deep breathing — tai chi and qigong — seem to offer similar advantages.
Performing a variety of yoga postures gently stretches and exercises muscles. This helps them become more sensitive to insulin, which is important for controlling blood sugar. Deep breathing can help lower blood pressure. Mind-calming meditation, another key part of yoga, quiets the nervous system and eases stress. All of these improvements may help prevent heart disease, and can definitely help people with cardiovascular problems.
Most yoga classes end with a few minutes of meditation, often done while lying flat on your back with your eyes closed. This pose is called savasana. Some teachers say that yoga stretches and postures release energy, making it easier for you to relax into a meditative state. I certainly find that to be true. Whenever I meditate, I still recall what one of my favourite teachers used to say at the beginning of savasana: “Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Just relax.”
Because yoga is less strenuous than many other types of exercise and is easy to modify, it’s perfect for people who might otherwise be wary of exercise, says Dr. Yeh. It can be a good addition to cardiac rehabilitation, which can help people recover from a heart attack or heart surgery. Christie Kuo, a registered nurse at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, integrates yoga into the cardiovascular rehabilitation and heart disease prevention classes she teaches there.
The muscle stretching encouraged by yoga postures is a good way to cool down after walking, cycling, or other aerobic conditioning, says Kuo, while deep breathing and meditation also help. “Paying attention to your breathing is important during the strength-training part of rehab. And the mindfulness and greater awareness from the meditation can help you cope with the stress of your illness, eat more healthfully, and sleep more soundly, all of which help your recovery,” she says.
If you’re new to yoga, consider starting with a beginner or “gentle” class, especially if you’re over 65 or have any medical conditions. Two of the most popular forms of yoga taught in the United States, hatha and Iyengar, are good choices for beginners. Hatha yoga features gentle, slow, smooth movement, with a focus on integrating breathing with movement. Iyengar is similar but places more emphasis on body alignment and balance, and uses props such as straps, blankets, and blocks.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers tips on choosing a yoga or other alternative therapy teacher. To my mind, a good teacher always asks, “Are there any injuries or conditions I should know about before we get started?” The best ones speak with each student personally while people are rolling out their mats and setting up. If you can, try a few different classes with different teachers to find the best fit for you.
We would love to chat with you about how Bondi Yoga Therapy can help you with your unique needs. Or you can book here. Give Zoe a call +61 407 956 071 or send us a note. You can listen to some of our reviews here.
