Benefits of Talk Yoga
Each Talk Yoga session is engaging and exciting!
The sessions provide structure that yogis need, but also allows for creativity and freedom while they engage in speech and language enrichment.
Benefits:
* Improved expressive language
* Enhanced ability to recall information and follow directions
* Improvement of articulation abilities
* Growth in social skills
* Use of modulated movement to sustain attention and participation
* Use of self-calming and relaxation strategies
* Stimulation of sensory systems and motor learning/planning
* Added happiness and self-confidence
Current Research
“Empirically based research indicates that exercise enhances general cognition, and every speech pathologist notices that when a child is engaged in movement, such as in co-treatment with a physical or occupational therapist, more spontaneous and complex speech occurs. Pairing physical movement with language learning appears to enhance recall abilities and stimulate novel, appropriate language."
Due to the novelty of this concept, the research is limited, but it is growing! The following links support our efforts of combining the gifts of yoga with speech and language intervention.
Integrated Movement TherapyTM: Yoga-Based Therapy as a Viable and Effective Intervention for Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders
http://www.peacefulpathwaysyoga.com/pdfs/Yoga-Research-Integrated-Movement-Therapy.pdf
Integrated approach to yoga therapy and autism spectrum disorders
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151379/
A Calming Influence
http://www.peacefulpathwaysyoga.com/pdfs/A-Calming-Influence.pdf
*If you are still looking for some solid reasons why yoga and speech and language work well together, take a look at these 25 reasons!
http://www.sayitright.org/yoga-and-speech-language-pathology.html