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Yoga Program Helps Students at the
Jefferson School Live a Balanced Life
“I feel so confident knowing I can do those poses.”
“I’m strong enough to do that.”
“I’m ready for my day, once I’ve had yoga”
All of these statements were made by the residential and
day students at The Jefferson School after completing
their yoga sessions.
The Jefferson School (TJS), one of 14 Sheppard Pratt
special education schools, offered 45-60 minute yoga
sessions twice a week for 10 weeks to promote recovery by
improving resiliency, decreasing anxiety and encouraging
self-regulation of behavior.
Local yoga group, SOL, donated their time in providing
the students with yoga instruction by Anne Quinlan
through their Good Cause yoga program. Senior
Occupational Therapist at TJS and avid yoga participant,
Kelly Beins, and therapist in the day school, Laura First,
also participated in the program with the students.
Beins said, “I know these girls all have a hard time with
boundaries and self-care. I have observed them at various
times taking the initiative to stop or pause during a
yoga session if a movement is beyond their physical
capability and then, when they feel ready, reengaging
without any cueing whatsoever. The topic of taking care
of yourself and listening to your body in order to take
care of yourself is a frequent topic. It’s nice to see these
girls, who always seem to seek out others to meet their
emotional needs, stopping and taking care of themselves,
even if it’s just for a few minutes.”
The group was organized and scheduled based on the
research that even two hours a week can mend traumainduced brain function. 66% of the participants showed
a decrease in anxiety post-session.
“At the beginning of the group, whenever something
new and challenging was presented, there was a lot of
snickering, joking and fairly often refusals to try. As the
group has progressed, the instructor has presented some
very challenging activities and poses. Now the typical
response is ‘Let’s do that one!’ or ‘I’m strong enough to
do that,’” added Beins.
The Jefferson School would like to incorporate the yoga
program into their curriculum and continue to offer it as
a positive component of the students’ physical well-being
as a way to help cope with the stress in their lives.
Please visit our website
(www.givetosheppardpratt.org) or
use the enclosed envelope to make
a gift to The Jefferson School.
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