Yoga and Neurodiversity

3 Simple Tips for Teachers - By Jenni Warrior

Reading time: 3 minutes

I am autistic and I am a yogi. These two things might seem an unusual combination, but I don’t think they have to be. Thanks to social media, lots of us have a very set idea in our minds about what an autistic person might look or act like, and I don’t really fit the bill.

Hence why I wasn’t diagnosed until I sought it out myself at the age of 30, after spending a couple of years researching the condition. In recent years, there has been a surge in adult women discovering they are autistic or have ADHD, either through formal diagnosis or by self-diagnosing. Women just like me, who always knew they were a bit different, but could never understand why.

Like many people, yoga came into my life when I needed it the most. I was undiagnosed, struggling with an array of mental health issues, living in a constant state of fight or flight. My mind can be a very noisy, chaotic place sometimes.

Through yoga, and eventually establishing a regular meditation practice, I was able to quieten the noise and find stillness, something I’d never experienced before. I fell in love with the practice, eventually becoming a teacher earlier this year.

I believe that yoga can be extremely beneficial for neurodivergent people like myself. It is a gentler form of exercise that allows us to feel more connected to our bodies, when so many of us can feel trapped inside our turbulent minds. It can also help to relieve stress, improve sleep patterns and reduce feelings of anxiety, which are things that neurodivergent people often struggle with.

Unfortunately, there can be a lot of barriers to accessing yoga for a lot of neurodivergent people. For many, formal exercise can be extremely intimidating, especially in a group setting. Here are some simple things that we as yoga teachers can do to make our classes more accessible:

Be informative

Many autistic people, myself included, need to have as much information about a new, unfamiliar environment as possible beforehand. When advertising your class, make sure you clearly state the location, start time and duration of the class. You could even send out an email alongside the booking confirmation listing extra information.

Is the location hard to find? If so, give clear instructions about how to get there. What’s the parking at the venue like? Are there toilet facilities? Is there a place to refill water bottles? Should they arrive just before the class start time, or can they get into the studio 10 minutes early? Are mats and blocks provided, or should they bring their own? These things may seem unimportant, but they can really help to alleviate people's anxieties.

Be considerate

Lots of neurodivergent people experience a number of sensory issues, which can be easily triggered in a typical yoga class. I myself am very sensitive to heat, but others may find the cold unbearable. Take time to consider the temperature of the room you are teaching in.

Can it be adjusted? Are there spots which are cooler than others, perhaps next to a window or a fan, that you can offer to people? What about the noise levels in your class, how loud is your music? Loud noise can be quite jarring to people with sensitive ears. Do you use incense or essential oils in your class? Consider if those in the class with extremely sensitive noses might find this overwhelming.

Be respectful

One of the great things about in-person yoga classes is being able to give hands-on assists so that students experience the positive effects of correct alignment. However, unsolicited touch can be extremely uncomfortable and even highly distressing to neurodivergent people. This can be due to physical sensitivities or past traumas.

Always get verbal consent before giving an assist, either by discussing it prior to the class or quietly asking the person in the moment. And remember, if someone doesn’t want to be touched, respect their wishes. You can always give verbal alignment cues, which are often just as helpful.