What is a Yoga Routine?
“A routine is an instructional strategy developed to increase the level of participation in activities for students who require consistency and repetition in order to learn.”
Routines provide consistency of expectations and anticipation of what is coming up so that the students can focus on practicing new skills.
Yoga is supported by the physiotherapist in the school. Students participate in a yoga session once a week. Based on evidence and assessment findings from the initial classroom setup, yoga has been rolled out across the school.
Benefits of Yoga
Increases oxygenation of the blood
Increases strength
Lowers stress levels
Increases self-efficacy skills
Increases happiness and health through exercise
Increases flexibility
Benefits of Yoga for Children with Visual Impairments
Creates a safe space for positive movement experience
Physical activities that develop sense of body awareness, spatial awareness, proprioceptive awareness and alignment
Increases motor planning
Functional tasks such as shoes on/off
Communication and advocacy of likes/dislikes
Increases self-determination/ leadership skills
Increases motor development and activity
Consistent vocabulary
Increase concept development
Sensory awareness – music, reduced lighting, scents
Curriculum – maths – counting, timing
Orientation and mobility – finding mat, chairs, directions within the room
Social activity that is available throughout the community