Does Child Yoga & Meditation Really Work? Experiences & Ideas on This Please...

[number572]

My mother has taught young kids (regular classroom kinder thru 2nd grade) for over twenty years in public schools and claims to have helped a few kids who would have been held back a grade year due to their lack of ability to focus (and therefore learn), thru teaching them a bit of kid-geared yoga (read stretches and breathing) and meditation (closing eyes and imagining and breathing or counting and breathing) techniques to self-calm and learn to focus.

I now have a friend who has a six year old dd that is not doing well at school, at home or with peers and did pass last year but very skin-of-her-teeth sort of passing. Her mom says "she's such a brat alot of the times that she can't focus" and the child really does have issues... but aside from mentioning what I know about food related allergies/intolerences leading to angry/hyper behavior, I'd like to pass on what my mom claims, as far as the yoga and meditation stuff.

Has anyone had experience with teaching kids to self-chill out and then focus on whatever it is they should be focussing on at the moment? Even if that is just to figure out what is bothering them and let it go? SHe is semi natural and does not want to put her dd on drugs for adhd, she says she doesn't really believe it is adhd b'c her dd can sit and focus on selective activities.

I'm not sure how to address this with her and what to tell her w/o it sounding too new-agey. I've been into yoga and medit for years and KNOW how well it works for adults... but she isn't really into it yet (altho she is very curious), and I have no idea how to guide her to lead her child into it. Help please??

*** I'm seeing my friend tomorrow evening, so any help would be very much appreciated, thx!

[ma_vie_en_rose]

Originally Posted by number572

Has anyone had experience with teaching kids to self-chill out and then focus on whatever it is they should be focussing on at the moment? Even if that is just to figure out what is bothering them and let it go? SHe is semi natural and does not want to put her dd on drugs for adhd, she says she doesn't really believe it is adhd b'c her dd can sit and focus on selective activities.

Well, my DSD is BP/ADHD. Just to clarify your friend's idea that she could not be ADHD because she can sit and focus on certain activities. This is called hyper-focusing in ADHD children. Depending on the activity (often tv, video games, and various other things) they can focus for hours. It is very, very common. So, that may not be a true indication that your friend's DD is not ADHD.

She should have her child thouroughly evaluated by a neuropsychologist. They can give her insight into where she may be delayed or need extra help and set up a treatment plan for behavior modification that may or may not need medication.

My DSD is medicated, but that is because she is bipolar and must be to keep her from progressing further into the illness. We have also done yoga and meditation with her for years as a way to get her to focus her energy (mental, emotional, and physical) in a more positive way. We have seen a dramatic decrease in anxiety with her. She has never had major school issues as far as grades, so I can't say how it has helped that. I can say that it has helped her gain her composure emotionally easier since we started it with her.

I would just throw it out there to her by asking if she has considered it.
Here is a video that has a lot of info on meditation and ADHD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gT8wopZJNQ

[number572]

Originally Posted by ma_vie_en_rose

My DSD is medicated, but that is because she is bipolar and must be to keep her from progressing further into the illness. We have also done yoga and meditation with her for years as a way to get her to focus her energy (mental, emotional, and physical) in a more positive way. We have seen a dramatic decrease in anxiety with her. She has never had major school issues as far as grades, so I can't say how it has helped that. I can say that it has helped her gain her composure emotionally easier since we started it with her.

I would just throw it out there to her by asking if she has considered it.
Here is a video that has a lot of info on meditation and ADHD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gT8wopZJNQ

Thank you. I have questions if you're still on. Do you think yoga & medit. would help just as well w/o prescriptions? She may not be open to having her dd thoroughly evaluated and prescript's, etc - I'll ask, but I have a feeling that she'll shut it all down with the idea of drugs/medical establishment and just send her to school next year, hoping for the best, like she did last year when the previous year's teacher asked her to be aware since they'd seen a few signs of anxiety, etc. I guess no parent wants to believe that their child may have a rough time in school/life - but this is why thought maybe yoga could help her. It isn't to be ashamed of, we're all different in the ways we learn, but I've told her that & she acts like its a huge stigma or something. How does your dd view herself having to be on meds, does she cope well or do her friends know? (This is what my friend says when I mention testing or prescriptions.)

Also, her dd can sit thru an hour of fingerpainting or dressing her dolls, not just highly active stimuli like tv and such... what do you make of that? I understand why an adhd child would be okay with highly active tv, etc... but things that SHE herself has to propel, such as dressing dolls and artwork seem to fully engage her - and she's very calm in her responses to anyone/her mom while doing these sorts of activities. I've seen the dd in both modes. Could she have sensory issues? Would anything other than prescripts help with that if so?

The more I read, the more I know that I'm waaay out of my territory as far as what she should do... but the way my mom talked of yoga for kids with adhd, it seemed like a viable remedy. Maybe not?

Thx for your input/exp and for the youtube, I'll pass that on to her.

[ma_vie_en_rose]

Originally Posted by number572

Thank you. I have questions if you're still on. Do you think yoga & medit. would help just as well w/o prescriptions? She may not be open to having her dd thoroughly evaluated and prescript's, etc - I'll ask, but I have a feeling that she'll shut it all down with the idea of drugs/medical establishment and just send her to school next year, hoping for the best, like she did last year when the previous year's teacher asked her to be aware since they'd seen a few signs of anxiety, etc. I guess no parent wants to believe that their child may have a rough time in school/life - but this is why thought maybe yoga could help her. It isn't to be ashamed of, we're all different in the ways we learn, but I've told her that & she acts like its a huge stigma or something. How does your dd view herself having to be on meds, does she cope well or do her friends know? (This is what my friend says when I mention testing or prescriptions.)

Also, her dd can sit thru an hour of fingerpainting or dressing her dolls, not just highly active stimuli like tv and such... what do you make of that? I understand why an adhd child would be okay with highly active tv, etc... but things that SHE herself has to propel, such as dressing dolls and artwork seem to fully engage her - and she's very calm in her responses to anyone/her mom while doing these sorts of activities. I've seen the dd in both modes. Could she have sensory issues? Would anything other than prescripts help with that if so?

The more I read, the more I know that I'm waaay out of my territory as far as what she should do... but the way my mom talked of yoga for kids with adhd, it seemed like a viable remedy. Maybe not?

Thx for your input/exp and for the youtube, I'll pass that on to her.

DSD can definitely hyper-focus on activities that are not media related. She can do this one bead activity for hours among other things. It just depends on the kid and what grabs them. kwim

As for how she feels about it, she went through major manic episodes after she was misdx'ed with simply ADHD and medicated for only that. The meds made the BP worse. Once her dx was correct and she was medicated for the BP, her behavior did a 180. She remembers how bad things were for her. She was out of control. So, she is happy to be medicated correctly.

We actually just had an incident with a friend asking why she takes pills the other night. I just looked at DSD to see if she wanted me to share why. She told me that her mom told her not to tell people, but she was perfectly okay with it. The BP actually comes from her mother and her side of the family. It is very genetic. I think her mother is very embarrassed by that, and she wants DSD to be secretive about it. We have always told DSD that there is nothing wrong with her that she should be embarrassed about. The BP does not make her who she is. It is just a small part of things. So, she is comfortable with it--she is comfortable with who she is. That makes me proud.

Anyway, we started the yoga and meditation when we were having her re-evaluated by a nueropsych after she was misdx'ed. It really helped her start to turn inward and gain some control of things when she felt she was getting a bit out of control. I think that it could have really helped her a lot more to not be medicated if she was simply ADHD. It think it can certainly be one of the many tools to use for behavior modification. I firmly do not believe that medication alone fixes the issues anyway. Behavior modification has to be a main part of it. So, she could work on her daughter in that way without medication.

There are many parenting books that give great advise on parenting kids with behavior issues.
Raising Your Spirited Child

The Explosive Child

Magic 1-2-3

[number572]

huh. Interesting what you say about the BP being genetic. The friend of mine lets weeks pass by where she doesn't return my calls, but usually says that she'd been really busy, etc. I'm tearing up at the thought now that my friend could be going thru weeks of depression and just not feeling like talking or being friends with anyone - and maybe not even know she's able to find relief. I so hope thats not true. I guess I'll address that in its own timing. wow.

Anyway, thank you for all of your great insight. I'll pass on the you tube and tell her about the links/books and all of your great experience/advice.

I wish the best for your dsd and you too... sounds like you've had to buff up on this info yourself and she's very lucky to have someone like you who is willing to go the distance for her success and happiness in life. Kudos to you.

Off to check out the links now... thx SO much again... you've given me/her alot to think about.

*** sidenote... many threads appear on this site asking why people who aren't parents yet frequent MDC, I have to say that this info is a huge blessing and will save a great deal of pain for any of us future moms who come aboard and find the wealth of wisdom/knowledge that exists here.

[SkyMomma]

OK, so as a Yoga Teacher I'm biased, but...I have worked with children (& adults!) who turned to Yoga to help with ADD, ADHD, behavioral issues, Depression & anxiety & have found that yoga/meditation can be very helpful. How helpful depends on the underlying challenge, the individual child, & the regularity of the practice. When used regularly (& I've found that parents really need to be on board & consistent), yoga & meditation can significantly improve focus, improve self-awareness, decrease mood issues, and help with impulsivity & reactivity.

For some children, Yoga, Meditation, Diet changes, school adaptations, changing the daily rthym, etc., can really shift these difficulties. For some children, Yoga & meditation & other natural remedies/practices may not be enough, but when used along with medication, can help mitigate some of the anxiety & low self-esteem that often accompany school/peer challenges that children with ADD/ADHD face.

My suggestion would be for your friend to find a Yoga teacher in your area who specializes in working with children--maybe even with these specific concerns. Set up a private session to help teach your friend & her daughter some asanas, breathing & meditation techniques & a daily routine to practice. A weekly class is really cool too, to reinforce what's being learned, but I would suggest the private class as a better tool for developing a regular practice that truly meets her needs. Good luck to your friend!

[ma_vie_en_rose]

Originally Posted by number572

huh. Interesting what you say about the BP being genetic. The friend of mine lets weeks pass by where she doesn't return my calls, but usually says that she'd been really busy, etc. I'm tearing up at the thought now that my friend could be going thru weeks of depression and just not feeling like talking or being friends with anyone - and maybe not even know she's able to find relief. I so hope thats not true. I guess I'll address that in its own timing. wow.

Anyway, thank you for all of your great insight. I'll pass on the you tube and tell her about the links/books and all of your great experience/advice.

I wish the best for your dsd and you too... sounds like you've had to buff up on this info yourself and she's very lucky to have someone like you who is willing to go the distance for her success and happiness in life. Kudos to you.

Off to check out the links now... thx SO much again... you've given me/her alot to think about.

*** sidenote... many threads appear on this site asking why people who aren't parents yet frequent MDC, I have to say that this info is a huge blessing and will save a great deal of pain for any of us future moms who come aboard and find the wealth of wisdom/knowledge that exists here.

No problem. I am glad I could help. And yes, I have had to learn a lot. In fact, I am the only one in the family that really has done any research. I was the one that pushed for medical intervention with her when she was so out of control. I am so glad I did, too, because I don't know where we would be now if I hadn't.

I hope your friends is able to hear you when you talk to her today about this. Even if she isn't ready to hear it now, she will be at some point. She is lucky to have a friend like you that is willing to be a support system for her.