By Taylor Chartrand

Kids yoga helps break barriers for local 7-year-old girl with autism

Feb 3, 2019 | 5:52 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – According to WebMD, children with autism have trouble communicating and understanding what other people think and feel.

This makes it very difficult for them to express themselves however, one local yoga studio is working to break those barriers for 7-year-old Fallyn Janhsen.

“I like to learn about the yoga poem,” said Fallyn. “Because it makes me happy when I’m mad.”

Fallyn is autistic and said her favorite part of the yoga sessions are the soothing poems.

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The class also offers scarf meditation, breathing exercises, singing bowls and yoga poses.

Fallyn’s mother Stacy said these components help Fallyn deal with her communication and emotional struggles.

“Doing all of these exercises helps the body, both mentally and physically,” explained Stacy. “It helps her become more stable, calm and grounded so she can tap into that inner happiness. In my opinion.”

Stacy said at first, Fallyn was hesitant on trying something new to counter balance her autism, but now she’s fully embraced the idea.

“Actually, it’s Fallyn who brings me to yoga now,” she laughed. “I’ve been a yogie for 30-years now and I started yoga for the same reasons because I struggled with anxiety and depression as a young child.”

And after 6-months of kids yoga, Stacy said she has certainly noticed a change in Fallyn’s daily life.

“She can definitely articulate her feelings and identify her emotions better now. She’s able to express them in a way that makes her feel safe and I think that’s the biggest part. Carly’s created an amazing environment here for these kids to express themselves and feel validated and valued as human-beings.”

Carly Thomas is the instructor for kids yoga and explained why she offers what she believes to be a vital service to the community.

“I love working with kids,” explained Carly. “I love how how they help my spirit stay young and I love being able to help them to grow.”

Carly believes that every child deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life and said she enjoys seeing progression like Fallyn’s in all of her students.

“I just love the kids. They’re just so pure, innocent and open. I just love teaching them yoga because I love to see how they find that peace and calm within themselves.”

Kids Yoga is offered once a month through Ohm Yoga – Nirvana 101.