Universal Design Yoga
PEPNET2 TRAINING INSTITUTE/AHEAD 2014
SUSAN MANN DOLCE, PHD, OTR/L, RYT
Presentation Overview
•Welcome
•Beginning practice
•Universal Design Yoga
•Making yoga classes more welcoming to
students who are deaf, HH, blind and low vision
•Practice
•Questions and discussion
Beginning Practice
Now we will do a simple seated five minute practice.
Please participate in a way that is comfortable and works
best for you today.
Sit back in your chair, if it works for you put your feet flat on
the floor or wheelchair pedals.
Notice your breath (don’t try to change it or judge it, just
become aware of the breath going in and out) for a few
minutes.
Using the Breath
As you breathe in become aware of a gentle lengthening
from the low back to top of head.
As you breathe out become aware of the chair beneath
your legs and the support under your feet.
Continue like this for five inhales and exhales.
Noticing Change
Return to your normal breathing.
Notice how you feel; some of you may fell a change, some
may not.
Try doing this everyday for a few minutes.
Questions?
2012 Universal Design Definition
Universal Design is a process that enables and
empowers a diverse population by improving
human performance, health and wellness and
social participation.
◦ Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDEA) UB
Goals of Universal Design
Body Fit: accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities
Comfort: keeping demands within desirable limits
Awareness: ensuring critical Info is perceived
Understanding: making use intuitive and clear
Wellness: contributing to health promotion
Social Integration: treating all with dignity and respect
Personalization: Incorporating choice and individual preferences
Cultural Appropriateness: Respecting cultural values and social context
Universal Design Yoga
Yoga that is safe, welcoming and comfortable for everyone
who chooses to attend.
Spring 2008 through spring 2014, will continue fall 2014.
Video
Questions?
Universal Design Yoga Effectiveness
98 % or more of over 600 student participants in a Universal Design Yoga class
since 2009 strongly agreed or agreed that:
They were able to fully participate in Universal Design Yoga class they attended.
They felt comfortable in the class.
They felt safe in the class.
They are interested in taking more Universal Design Yoga classes.
That it is a positive thing to do for themselves.
9 of 44 write in comments from Universal
Design Yoga students spring 2014.
In general how do you feel after taking today’s Universal design Yoga class?
Amazing
At ease
Awesome
Balanced
Better
Calm
Centered
Collected
Connected
Students with Disabilities
Percent of total attendance
Visual and Verbal Yoga Teacher Course
with Lila Lolling
Top Complaints of
Deaf and HH Yoga Students
1.
Having to look around the room to see what is going on.
2.
Not being able to close eyes during class.
3.
Not being able to relax at the end of class.
4.
Not understanding warnings given to other students, for example high blood pressure.
5.
Being ignored.
6.
Teachers over annunciating
7.
Not getting the breathing part of the practice.
8.
Told they are not “OMing” correctly, or being forced to “Om”
9.
Not understanding how to do the pose in a way that works for them.
Visual Yoga Tips
Welcome all students to class and determine best communication.
If student is Deaf or HH determine how you will let them know to open eyes (light touch, fan,
etc).
Make sure teachers face and eyes are able to be seen at all times.
Use body to “show” the pose before having class do the pose. If possible have student
demonstrate so teachers face can be seen.
Be clear, simple and concise in explanation.
Use head “yes” and “no” to clearly indicate warnings.
Use arms, fingers and hnds to depict body parts.
Use thumbs up to indicate position is correct.
VIYM Rossettus
Verbal Yoga Tips
Welcome all students and introduce yourself. Clarify if they are ok with touch guidance while doing
poses.
If student is blind or low vision ask them if they would like a tour of the room, where bathrooms, yoga
mats are etc. Describe surroundings in a low key way.
Use clear, simple and direct verbal instructions for poses. Use orientation to the student’s own body
as opposed to the room. For example, “step your right foot forward and to the right six inches as
opposed to step your right foot toward the windows”. Try to give an endpoint to directions, “inhale
arms in front of you and up toward the sky”, instead of just “inhale the arms up”.
If a sensory yoga mat is available as student if they would like to try it and orient student to the mat.
If using a regular yoga mat encourage student to trace the edges.
Position student near a wall for orientation or have a chair close by for orientation and support.
Consider slowing the class down, this benefits all students. Use a calm floor drum at end of
relaxation.
Practice
Seated inhale exhale like beginning of session
Seated forward fold
Seated forward fold with arms option
Seated extension
Seated twist to right
Seated twist to left
Quiet relaxation (about twenty balanced breaths, eyes open or closed)
Questions and Comments
?
samann@buffalo.edu
Thank you.