80 Yoga for Speech-Language Development
Summary
Yoga breathing exercises can support efficient and articulate
speech production by 1) enhancing awareness of the breath,
2) strengthening and elongating trunk muscles for appropriate
postural alignment, 3) improving control over the respiratory
cycle, and 4) increasing the oxygen supply needed for proper
functioning of the body. In addition to the benefits of breathwork
related to speech sound production, these exercises which require
focus on the process and products of respiration can help calm
and relax children’s bodies and minds, especially those with AD/
HD, positively impacting language learning. The resource tables
in Appendices 2–8 of this book contain information on yoga
books, card decks, games, CDs, DVDs, and websites that teach
many of the breathing techniques described in this chapter.