Poses and Considerations

🪑🧘‍♀️ Seated Poses

Seated poses are done while the child is sitting—whether on the floor, a chair, or in a wheelchair. These postures can be used at the beginning or end of a session, or even form a complete practice on their own. Seated poses help strengthen the upper body and core muscles, and can support focus and grounding.

Considerations:

• Children who are unable to sit up independently may benefit from props or may feel more supported starting in supine (lying down) poses.

• Children with tight hips or low core strength may find cross-legged sitting challenging.

• For children with seizure disorders, it’s recommended to begin in supine positions rather than seated.

🛏️ Supine Poses

Supine poses are done while the child is lying comfortably on their back. These positions are typically deeply calming and help reduce stress while gently promoting flexibility and body awareness.

Considerations:

• Children with high muscle tone (hypertonia) may benefit from additional support, such as a bolster or blanket, to enhance comfort and relaxation.

🛏️ Prone Poses

Prone poses are practiced while the child lies on their belly. These poses offer valuable proprioceptive input, help massage internal organs, and strengthen the back and postural muscles.

Considerations:

• Not recommended for children with respiratory challenges.

• For children with very high muscle tone, prone positions may be uncomfortable—props or modifications can be used for added support.

🤸‍♀️ Forward Bends

Forward bends involve bringing the head toward the body’s center while the spine moves into flexion. These poses offer numerous benefits, including stretching the back and hamstring muscles, strengthening the front body, massaging internal organs, enhancing hip flexibility, and providing proprioceptive and vestibular input. They also help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting relaxation and regulation.

Considerations:

• Use caution or avoid forward bends for children with osteoporosis or cerebral palsy, as well as those with spinal disc issues.

• These poses should also be avoided if inversions are contraindicated.

🤸‍♀️ Backbends

Backbends involve extending the spine and are known to open the front body, build back strength, and promote spinal flexibility. These poses can be energizing, helping children feel more alert and uplifted.

Considerations:

• Avoid backbends for children with spinal or neck injuries, hiatal hernia, or when inversions are not recommended (e.g., if the head drops below the heart).

• Use extra caution with children who have Down Syndrome (due to potential atlantoaxial instability) or those with hypermobility or low muscle tone, as they may require modifications and additional support.

🔄 Twists

Twisting poses involve gentle rotation of the spine and play an important role in developing midline crossing, enhancing proprioceptive input, and improving bilateral coordination. These poses help stretch and strengthen the back, trunk, and shoulders, gently massage internal organs, and increase flexibility in the pelvic area.

Considerations:

• Avoid twisting poses if the child has injuries to spinal discs, nerves, or internal organs.

• If the child cannot maintain a tall spine while seated, gentle supine twists are a safer and more supportive alternative.

🦶 Standing & Balancing Poses

These poses involve standing upright or balancing on one leg, helping children build strength, stability, coordination, and focus.

Considerations:

• Avoid these poses for children with seizure disorders or those who have limited coordination or balance—it’s best to start with seated or supine poses, gradually progressing to standing with the use of props for support.

• Refrain from standing or balancing poses if the child has an injury to the hip, knee, ankle, leg, or foot.

• Always encourage proper alignment and engagement of the standing leg to promote safety and balance.

🔄 Inversions

Inversions are poses where the head is positioned below the heart, such as when the legs or chest are elevated above the head. These poses can promote circulation, body awareness, and focus when practiced safely.

Considerations:

• Inversions should be avoided for children with high blood pressure, glaucoma, detached retina, heart conditions, stroke history, elevated intracranial pressure, a shunt, carotid artery stenosis, or a hiatal hernia.

• Also avoid these poses for children with seizure disorders, spinal injuries or instability, or if the child is experiencing a headache.

• Use extra caution if a child has a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or vestibular imbalance, and consult with a healthcare provider if needed.