About Me
As well as being a yoga teacher, I’m first and foremost a mum to two incredible boys — one of whom is ‘differently abled’. It was through him that I discovered the profound power of Special Yoga. When he started at his special school, I attended a workshop on sensory processing disorders. The facilitator mentioned the Special Yoga Foundation, and from that moment, a new branch of my yoga journey began.
Today, I am an Advanced Special Yoga Practitioner, teaching in both mainstream and special schools, as well as community projects. I work with students from the age of 4 through to adulthood and also offer private 1:1 sessions from my home studio.
Who I Work With
I work with students with a wide range of special educational needs, including:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Complex physical and learning difficulties
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Blind and severely visually impaired students
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Hearing impaired students
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Verbal and non-verbal students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
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Students with mental health challenges and eating disorders
My Approach
The heart of Special Yoga lies in the belief that every person is special and deserves to experience peace, joy, and the fulfilment of their potential and purpose.
My sessions are not about achieving perfect yoga poses — they are about how the child feels during and after: safe, grounded, embodied, calm, and connected. Each session is guided by the child’s needs in the moment.
What a Session Might Include
Breath Work / Pranayama
Breath is life. Regulated, deep breathing supports the respiratory system, which in turn benefits the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems. It helps with self-regulation, speech, relaxation, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing.
Deep Pressure Massage
Massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system — the rest and digest mode. This is especially helpful for children with ADHD or ASD who may spend a lot of time in fight or flight. Massage helps bring calm, focus, and connection before movement or stillness.
Asanas / Postures
Yoga postures realign the body, release tension, and build strength and flexibility. They help children feel their breath in the body, which opens the door to self-regulation and emotional balance.
Meditation & Mindfulness
Gentle, age-appropriate mindfulness practices help develop body awareness, focus, and a sense of presence. They are woven naturally into the session depending on each child’s needs and energy.
Relaxation
Relaxation is not just an ending — it’s where the healing happens. It allows the nervous system to reset and the benefits of the session to integrate. A relaxed body is a receptive body.
Singing & Chanting
Singing during movement or massage can release tension and enhance relaxation. Rhythm and repetition support coordination, memory, and emotional connection.
Sound Healing Instruments
I use a variety of instruments from around the world to support relaxation and sensory integration. The vibrations are soothing and often become a highlight of the session — bringing calm, curiosity, and joy.
See Us in Action
To see videos of Special Yoga in practice — including sessions with my own son — please visit the [Videos] section.
My Special Yoga Training
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Special Yoga Level 1 (60 hrs) – Completed in 2017 with the Special Yoga Foundation under the guidance of Jyoti Jo Manuel and her inspiring team.
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Advanced Special Yoga Practitioner (180 hrs) – Completed in 2019, deepening my understanding and practice of Special Yoga techniques.
To learn more about the Special Yoga Foundation, click the image below.
Additional training/ CPD courses:
Soothing the anxious child, Special Yoga and BreathBodyMind, Jyoti Manuel, Dr Brown & Dr Gerbarg, April 2022, 12hrs CPD.
Yoga & Eating disorders
Eating struggles, Nicole Schnackenberg and Jyoti Manuel, Feb 2021, 90mins
The science of Yoga and eating disorders, Chelsea Roff, Eatbreaththrive.org, March 2021, 4hrs
Charlie Yoga Devon 