Inclusive Yoga and Relaxation

The Pitch

Problem statement

Beneficiaries: those with learning disabilities (LD)/additional needs e.g.Autism/Aspergers Syndrome/ADHD/mental health; often lack access to physical/mental wellbeing activities leading to health inequalities.E.g. life expectancy men/women with LD 18/14yrs shorter than wider population (Mencap).Those with LD often have comorbidity.Audience requires activities tailored to need/learning style/access need e.g. visual/hands on instruction/slower pace/quiet sessions.Despite vast mainstream provision few providers have experience/understanding of audience, breadth of needs make it hard to adapt activities enabling mainstream participation. Subsequently few opportunities;in Halesowen no provision.

Solution

For those with LD/additional needs, wellbeing activities promote physical/mental wellbeing/development/self-management e.g. develop body awareness/stress management/anxiety/confidence/self-love/self-care/attention span/reducing hyperactivity/impulsivity supporting all aspects of their lives whilst also creating social opportunities, also supporting motivation/engagement. Project offers holistic provision, delivered from our Halesowen studio, encompassing various wellbeing activities (e.g. Yoga/Reiki/sound healing) to achieve above outcomes/impact via 3x1 hr sessions p/w, 39 weeks p/a, 10 people plus carers per session. Funding covers session/resource costs e.g. teachers/mats/visual aids.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

I am a qualified Yoga teacher/Sound Therapist/Reiki Master/personal trainer/teacher (CertEd).I have been teaching physical activities (1:1/group/100 students p/w) to those with special educational needs (e.g.learning disabilities/behavioural/Cerebral Palsy/wheelchair users/Down’s Syndrome/Autism/ADHD) for 15 years+ at a specialist college.I combine passion/experience to deliver holistic provision to students/local community with/without additional needs, adapting sessions/delivery style (e.g.those with Autism like repetition/sensory sessions)/class size ensuring accessibility.My networks/experience in community/education settings will help promotion/reach e.g. schools/colleges/NHS/charities.

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

10 people

Expected impact

The sessions will be delivered by specialist teachers in group sessions are tailored to help those with learning disabilities, access to physical and mental wellbeing such as body awareness, stress management and reducing anxiety which help to develop confidence, self-love and self-care, improve attention span and focus, reduce inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity, thus supporting them in all aspects of their lives. Sessions also create the opportunity for socialising, further enhancing emotional wellbeing. Group activities can also help people stay engaged and motivated, from both to social aspect of building friendships and as a result of seeing others in a similar situation being able to take part, enjoy and benefit from a session.

Track record

I have been teaching over 100 students per week at the Special needs College last 16 years. I have included some testimonies and case studies. These testimonies are from the classroom teachers *Teacher A Student E’s yoga sessions seem to be having a positive effect on his behaviour. After his sessions he will focus on what he is doing. It seems to reduce his stress levels and make him more interested in his peers and makes him a little more sociable. It seems to be having a positive effect on his sensory processing too. He always looks forward to yoga sessions and puts 100% in to participation. *Teacher B They enjoy their yoga sessions, It gives them a sense of calm and they enjoy the relaxation it gives them to continue with their day. They particularly like the breathwork, meditation and mantras.  Student L uses the strategies learned in yoga to help him stay focused in the classroom.