Kathleen: Yogi Tobye, thank you for taking the time to address some questions regarding yoga and sensory processing disorders.

Yogi Tobye: No problem Kathleen!

Kathleen: In the world of yoga, where do sensory issues lie and how can they be positively addressed?

Yogi Tobye: I think the biggest thing from a yogic point of view, is that we all percieve things on different levels. Even neuro-typical folks have completely different levels of perception.

Yoga helps us tune into our senses and with practice, we’re able to not get caught up in them so much.... maybe for some, the senses become sharper, but for most it could mean not having a short temper anymore, or not getting upset if we’re offended.

But I feel that to start with, the realisation that we all percieve things on a different level, no matter our age, color or creed, is the most positive thing.

Kathleen: Some of the issues that come into play with spectrum disorders have to do with spatial, gross motor and fine motor skills. Can you shed some light onto how yoga can address these issues?

Yogi Tobye: To be honest any movement related activity is good at helping with those issues. Yogasana (the physical side of yoga, or the postures) is great for improving balance and strength and spatial awareness and coordination etc. It can also help brain function, with simple little things like, being aware of your left and right sides without thinking first!

Kathleen: What are some yoga practices or postures that specifically target those areas of brain function?

Yogi Tobye: Balancing postures like half moon or the tree are great as the act of balancing in itself requires one to focus the attention. It doesn’t really matter too much if the actual act of balancing isn’t achieved straight away... it comes with practice. What is important is, that no matter what level the student is at, they’re always ecouraged that they’re doing great and anything is possible with a little effort. This greatly helps with self esteem.

One particular exercise I came across is called “superbrain yoga” and although it’s just a very simple exercise, it’s had quite amazing affects on students with sensory issues.

You can find a video of superbrain yoga on youtube here.

Kathleen: That’s great information, thank you. Now, are there specific yoga postures that can address things like auditory or visual sensitivities?

Yogi Tobye: Yoga postures themselves have a kind of holistic effect on auditory and visual sensitivities. Things like hand to eye coordination are greatly improved.

Meditation has been proven to help improve visual perception of things like color and shade. There is a specific Kriya ( a yoga practice generally translated as action) called “Trataka” which helps stimulate vision. Trataka is normally practised by lighting a candle (a soft bulb or fairy light could be used for a safer practise) and sitting in a comfortable position, one just stares at the candle, not blinking, until the eyes start to water. Although a candle is the traditional medium, this can be adapted to suit the individual.

Kathleen: That’s very interesting. I’ve run across many children who enjoy looking into various types of light and seem positively mesmerized. Perhaps they instinctively understand that it has great benefit for them!

Yogi Tobye: Yes definitely! Children have subtle instincts and intuitions that we don’t always give them credit for!

For auditory sensitivities, something as simple as chanting could be helpful. Or even the practise of “Bee breath” whereby the student just hums on the outbreath can be helpful.

Kathleen: Are there certain times of the day where these practices are more conducive to particular desired outcomes? In other words, are there optimal times to perform them?

Yogi Tobye: What I would call the “crossover” times of the day and night ie; sunrise and sunset, are the optimal times really for any yoga practise. It’s generally agreed in most traditions that these are the most powerful times of the day. Obviously there are energetic, warming postures that are better practised in the morning and calming, soothing postures that are amazing for insomnia. Pranayama (controlled breathing) is great practised in the morning and the subtle energies of sunrise/set are perfect for meditation.

Kathleen: Two other issues that come up often that are not necessarily sensory, but actually could be related in some fashion, are anxiety and frustration.

Both of these sensations can have the unfortunate consequence of causing the individual to act out. Can you address these please, in terms of yogic practice?

Yogi Tobye: My expertise would be in the field of Yoga rather than autism spectrum disorders, however, from the research I’ve done into some of the issues with anxiety and frustration like, Rumblings and rage and the recovery stages of upset. The fundamental root cause is stress. Yoga practised at any level is one of the most amazing cures for stress. It doesn’t really make a difference where the student happens to be on the spectrum, with a little effort Yoga can help alleviate their stress.

Yoga is also a great relief for some of the other issues that go along with spectrum disorders, depression for example. The breathing techniques of pranayama again can work very well for frustration and anxiety. I reckon we can all remember being told to take ten breaths when we got frustrated with something and pranayama works at the very same level.

Finally, I truly feel that yoga can benefit everybody experiencing sensory issues and all spectrum disorders. That means EVERYBODY experiencing.... parents, siblings, family, teachers, in fact everyone that comes into contact with another person that doesn’t percieve the world the same way we do (ie; pretty much everyone else on the planet!) can benefit from some kind of yoga practise. And it doesn’t take lots of work, it could just mean finding five minutes to sit in a quiet space to concentrate on the breath.

Kathleen: Thank you Yogi Tobye. Your recommendation for a yoga practice regardless of what is going on in the rest of ones life is certainly a helpful one. I look forward to more discussions about yoga, practice and philosophy in our next segment of:

"Here and Now"~with Yogi Tobye