Yoga for Physical Therapy in the Classroom

Using Yoga as a Physical Therapy Tool for Students

As a school-based physical therapist, you might be trying to develop new ways to help your students reach their goals. One approach, which may be beneficial for some children, is integrating yoga into your treatment plan.

About Yoga in Physical Therapy for Kids

To determine if yoga is a good tool to use in therapy, it’s important to consider several factors, including the child’s condition, age, and goals. Yoga therapy may help treat various conditions, such as muscular dystrophy, spinal bifida, and autism spectrum disorders. It can also be useful for students with cerebral palsy. Children with certain conditions, such as cerebral palsy, may have rigid muscle tone and tension. Yoga can help decrease rigidity.

Not all children can participate in yoga therapy. Depending on the child’s condition and limitations, yoga may not be appropriate. But in many cases, with proper planning, children might gain some benefits from yoga. One of the great things about yoga is that you can modify moves to accommodate children in wheelchairs with limited mobility.

Benefits of Yoga in School Physical Therapy

Implementing yoga into a school-based physical therapy session might prove useful in your classroomLearn how yoga benefits students with disabilities:

• Improved concentration: As students learn the breathing techniques and poses involved in yoga, they must concentrate to do the moves correctly. Yoga moves should be modified and adapted as needed, but they still require concentration. Students develop a better ability to focus, which can transfer to improved concentration in the classroom and at home.
• Reduced muscle tension: Yoga involves a lot of stretching, which can help students get rid of tension. The movements may also increase flexibility and improve the range of motion.
• Improved coordination: Physical therapists can also implement yoga in the classroom to improve coordination. Yoga involves a series of interacting moves. Students move from one pose to another. The flow of movement may help children improve coordination and body awareness. Students gain a better understanding of how their bodies move.
• Increased strength: When we consider yoga as a form of exercise, we may think it mostly improves flexibility. Yoga can also increase strength. As students hold poses, it may improve strength.
• Reduces anxiety: Yoga often involves breathing exercises. Breathing exercises can also be performed independently of the yoga poses in some children. The breathing techniques can have a calming effect on children. Depending on the student, therapists can teach children how to use the breathing techniques to ease anxiety.

Lastly, using yoga as part of physical therapy can be fun for kids. It is also something you can work on with parents to do at home. The benefits of yoga therapy may not happen overnight, but as a regular practice, it can be helpful as part of a treatment plan.

Explore more school PT career tips with Soliant, including insights on different therapy tools or essential skills for school-based PTs. Looking for job opportunities in school-based physical therapy? Check out Soliant’s current openings here!