• Sonia Sumar teaches this comprehensive training course in the theory and practice of Yoga therapy for children with learning and developmental disabilities.
• This course is open to Yoga therapist, instructors and students, health care practioners, and families of special children.
• Our comprehensive workbook, Yoga for the Special Child, is provided to participants.
• It is important to understand the medical contraindications to certain asanas, so please do not try to copy our work without proper instruction.

SATURDAY
Introductions and Orientation.

Background on Sonia's work with special children, beginning with the story of her daughter, Roberta. Explanation of Yoga therapy: Using Yoga in the recovery of health – recuperating from physical problems and emotional trauma; learning to heal from both acute and chronic diseases. Yoga as a restorative lifestyle for special children. How Yoga helps to stimulate physical coordination, mental clarity, and social development in special children. Case histories of children that Sonia has worked with, which demonstrates the beneficial effects of Yoga therapy.

SUNDAY
Sonia's teaching methods.

The parents role as guide and inspiration for the child. Working with parents. How to conduct interviews and telephone counseling. Setting up a regular meeting schedule with parents. The importance of attitude: How the parents and Yoga therapists can develop a positive and nurturing relationship with their student. Creating the optimal home and family environment. How to work with babies and children: The use of touch, facial gestures, hand signals, and voice to achieve bonding and integration with the student.

The Theory of Early Intervention and the Four Stages of Development:

1. The Preparatory Stage – Early Intervention (birth to six months).
2. The Inductive Stage – Learning to Respond (six months to one year).
3. The Interactive Stage – Initiating Asanas (one to two years).
4. The Imitative Stage – Developing Independence (two to three years).

Yoga in the four stages: Presentation of the methods and techniques employed with infants and toddlers in each stage, including the beneficial effects and proper application of asanas, pranayama, relaxation, music therapy, and massage.

MONDAY
The Preparatory Stage -- Early Intervention (birth to six months)
-Video instruction of Sonia working with an infant
-Theory and practice: A step-by-step demonstration and explanation by Sonia, including:

• Evaluating the infant and setting up a balanced Yoga routine.
• How to deal with specific cases – risks and contradictions.
• Group practice with each other.
• Clinical practice: Hands-on individual instruction with children.
• Group discussion and clinical supervision; questions and answers.

TUESDAY
The Inductive Stage -- Learning to Respond (six months to one year)

• Video Presentation of Sonia working with an infant.
• Theory and practice: A step-by-step demonstration and explanation by Sonia.
• Group practice with each other.
• Clinical Practice: Hands-on individual instruction with children.
• Group discussion and clinical supervision; questions and answers.

WEDNESDAY
The Interactive Stage -- Initiating Asanas (one to two years)

• Video presentation of Sonia working with a toddler.
• Theory and practice: A step-by-step demonstration and explanation by Sonia.
• Group practice with each other.
• Clinical practice: Hands-on individual instruction with children.
• Group discussion and clinical supervision; questions and answers.

THURSDAY
The Imitative Stage -- Developing Independence (two to three years)

• Video presentation of Sonia working with a child.
• Theory and Practice: A step-by-step demonstration and explanation by Sonia.
• Group practice with each other.
• Clinical practice: Hands-on individual instruction with children.
• Group discussion and clinical supervision; questions and answers.

FRIDAY
Yoga for Children and Adolescents

• Video presentation of a children's Yoga class taught by Sonia at her center in Brazil.
• Description of the methods and techniques employed with children and adolescents in group classes, including: How to teach asanas, pranayama, relaxation, sound therapy, and cleansing practices.
• Clinical assessment: Evaluating the child and setting up a balanced Yoga routine.
• Individual instruction versus group classes: How to know when a child is ready to advance.
• The benefits of group integration: The value of mainstreaming the special child in a children's Yoga class.
• Color therapy: a brief overview of it's physical and psychological effects; How to use color to enhance a Yoga session.
• Benefits and risks of the inverted postures, a brief summary.
• How to set up your own practice.
• Presentation of Certificates.
• Program summary and evaluation.
• Group discussion and closing comments.