Yotism – specialised yoga for the SEN community

Yoga introduces a deep sense of body awareness, mindfulness, motor-neuron organisation and gently resets the nervous system to create a shift from ‘survival’ mode to a feeling of internal safety and coping, ie from ‘survive’ to ‘thrive.’ Yotism

Yotism is the founder of a yoga teacher training school and a specialised SEN Yoga for Autism method. We are passionate about providing Yoga, Mindfulness and Mental Health support for children, adults and their families within the Autism and SEN community.

Yoga is a powerful healing tool that is now scientifically proven to have many known positive and beneficial effects on the brain, emotions, and nervous system. It is a key to awareness and awareness is a key to learning and creating new connections, hence helping individuals to ‘live to their full potential.’ It helps the physical system to stretch, organise and release tension, whilst also helping the internal sensory systems to regulate, enabling an individual to connect to themselves with more space and organisation to process their inner and outer environment, leading to a calmer ‘sense of self. ‘

Yotism adapted Yoga for children/adults on the spectrum is a new method based on Ancient theory, science and years of working practice. With science now proving the power of yoga, there is no doubt that it will have profound effects on anyone with neurodiverse, developmental or physical challenges. There are no two people the same, therefore the basis of Yotism yoga is to meet an individual where they are at, inviting them to then experience the magic that lives within them physically, mentally and emotionally.

We have trained professionals from many diverse settings who have taken the method into schools, clinics and other therapeutic or psychological environments. In today’s world there is a lot that impacts our nervous system and mental health. With autism or other ways of being like ADHD, the nervous and sensory processing system can become bombarded more easily and survival responses may kick in frequently. Someone who experiences a Fight-Flight-Fright-Freeze response more regularly may have heightened feelings or

reactions, which can then have a longer lasting effect on functional aspects like sleeping, eating, communication or relationships.

Movement is essential for healthy brain and body connections no matter what stage of life, yet when we are young it is especially important for us to fully thrive. Yoga is a wonderful movement technique that not only supports the body with strength, coordination, balance and release. It is a heartfelt practice that fully supports the mind and emotions to become more fluid, attentive and connected. A strong element of yoga is mindfulness, which has now become a widely spread known practice that enhances our mental health and positive mindset, this can help free us from patterns that may impact more negatively, like anxiety or aggression for instance.

The Yotism family, Nicole Zimbler, Veronika Pena de La Jara and Sarah Hopwood, share their skills from long careers in yoga teaching,

“My child has benefited enormously from this yoga in helping him calm, have better understanding and management of his body and emotions and in just allowing him that space in the busyness of his world to stop, organise, breathe and relax in a safe and loving way” PARENT

Autism Developmental Integrative Therapy, Neurodevelopmental Therapy, education and teaching for the hearing impaired, and family yoga.

Yotism takes into consideration each detail of neurological development and how to access it therapeutically from the core. Thus we focus on incorporating the reflex system into the yoga. The primitive reflex system is a core part of our development and tends to be underdeveloped in individuals with Autism. Our reflex system can thrive, integrate and reset when introduced to a soothing set of rhythmic movements and specifically coordinated and timed positions. Reflex Yoga is a corrective practice and soothing balm to the physical holding patterns or automatic emotional survival responses that we may have subtly carried throughout our whole life without knowing. It allows us to experience a complete feeling of relaxation and integration of the body, mind and being.

Yotism realise that the reflex system can also become disrupted at times of trauma, stress or illness. We have therefore developed ‘Reflex Yoga’ as a practice for anyone and run training workshops for yoga teachers interested in using Yotism’s Reflex Yoga therapeutic method in other settings and populations. Or a full Yoga Teacher Training program for anyone that would like to go on the wonderful journey of becoming a Yoga Teacher.

We are passionate, honoured and blessed to do this work and love to share it with whoever is interested. So if you would like to find out more you can contact us on enquiries@yotism.com or on all social media platforms.

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Kate Atkinson

British Wheel of Yoga teacher Specialist Children’s Yoga Teacher (British Wheel Yoga) Yin Yoga teacher (Yoga Alliance)

Monday 9.30-10.45am Hatha Yoga drop in class, suitable for all abilities: beginners welcome, Tring Tuesday 11.30-12.30pm Yin Yoga, Berkhamstead

Thursday 4-4.45pm Kids Yoga - Yoga classes suitable for ages 6-11yrs, Tring Thursday 6.45-7.45pm

Yoga 4 Teens, Tring Thursday 8-9.15pm Hatha Yoga for all abilities, Tring Friday 9.30-10.30am Hatha Yoga suitable for all,

Berkhamsted Classes