The ancient tradition of Yoga provides the foundation and inspiration for Yoga-Play Therapy. Yoga, which is a non-competitive practice, has been shown to be a safe and nurturing means for developing and enhancing physical, emotional and cognitive functioning.

In YOGA-PLAY Therapy, yoga based movement and breathing is used with creativity and sensitivity, to address the unique needs of children with developmental, physical, mental and/or emotional challenges. YOGA-PLAY Therapy focuses on physical stimulation, cognitive and motor development, social interaction skills, language stimulation, balancing of inner and outer attention and focus, self-calming skills and self esteem building.

Maxine Lobel

Inspired by Integrated Movement Therapy*, YOGA-PLAY Therapy was developed by Maxine Lobel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Yoga Instructor, who also holds a Masters Degree in Education. She has worked with children and families for many years both in school settings and in Family and Children Centers.

In yoga-play therapy, children are taught a repertoire of postures and breathing techniques, taken from the yoga tradition, within a structured context of creative games and fun activities. The more physical activities might be focusing on strength building, motor planning, sequencing, balancing, coordination and/or memory where other activities might be the types of games/sharing that enhance social interaction and stimulation of language. The underlying basis of all activities always would be to nurture and foster self-esteem.

By observing and building upon the strengths of each child, as well as the general needs of the group as a whole, the intention is that the program meets the children where they are, providing them with effective, meaningful ways to deal with their challenges, both in class and in their daily life.

In YOGA-PLAY Therapy, groups will be comprised of 2 – 4 children, each accompanied by a parent. Having parents present during the session enables parents to 1) see and experience their child’s response to Yoga-Play, 2) learn the types of postures and games that their child can then do with them at home to strengthen the child’s learning patterns, and 3) establish a relationship between the therapist and the parent to enhance their work together in helping the child. YOGA-PLAY Therapy will focus on creating a safe, nurturing environment in which children have an opportunity to use their strengths to help them with their limitations through fun multi-modal activities.

Prior to forming groups, the parents and child will come in for an intake/evaluation. This will provide an opportunity for Mrs. Lobel to explore in greater depth the developmental history of the child and get a sense of his/her functioning. It will also include a short mini YOGA-PLAY Therapy session so that the family can get a clearer picture of what YOGA-PLAY Therapy is. Following this, appropriate groups will be formed, taking into account developmental levels of each child. Sometimes Mrs. Lobel may encourage a child and parent to start with individual sessions first, and then progress to working in the larger group situation.

In YOGA-PLAY Therapy, rather than targeting the child’s disability, the emphasis will be on each child’s capabilities. The program embraces the yogic philosophical concept of seeing the goodness, beauty, strength and light within each individual. It is the intention of the program’s founder that all participants see themselves this way as well.

See our Program Calendar for class times