Yoga for the Special Child®, LLC, is multi-level, comprehensive training program of yoga techniques designed by Sonia Sumar more than 45 years ago to enhance the natural development of children with special needs.   

This style of yoga is gentle and beneficial—safe for babies, children and adults with Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental issues. These methods also provide an effective treatment for children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD or learning disabilities. The 95-hour certification program part one is our pre-requisite training.   

Using hands-on instruction, the participants will be guided through each stage of the special child’s development, learn how to evaluate new students and create the optimum yoga routine for them, learn an integrated series of balanced Yoga poses to increase body awareness and strength, and practice specialized breathing exercises and relaxation techniques to improve concentration. This course provides essential tools to begin working with children with special needs.  

Part two of this course further expands on the techniques learned in part one with emphasis on working with teens and young adults, as well as refining the skills to work with children from 0-12 years of age. Completion of both courses satisfies the 95-hour R-CYT designation with Yoga Alliance. It is also AOTA approved for CEU providers. The courses are appropriate for OTs, PTs, SLPs, yoga teachers and parents of children with special needs.    

Early bird pricing is available now through January 15, 2020. For more information, text 941-320-9290 (text message only), email [email protected], [email protected] or visit SpecialYoga.com. Event location: Homewood Suites by Hilton, 3470 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota.