This document provides an overview of a training on sensory modulation for consumers and staff at Sunshine Village. It discusses how yoga can be used as a sensory modulation practice to promote health, wellness, and functional performance. Specific yoga techniques from YogaKids like "Take 5" and "Peace Breath" are presented as examples. Modifications for yoga are discussed based on individual factors like age, abilities, and medical issues. The benefits of sensory modulation techniques in developing skills, relaxation, and emotional regulation are highlighted. Permission and empowerment of individuals are emphasized through a mindful approach.

1. SENSORY MODULATION
FOR EVERYONE:
A TrainingA Training
For Consumers and Staff at Sunshine VillageFor Consumers and Staff at Sunshine Village
Allison Sullivan, MS, OTR/L, CAGSAllison Sullivan, MS, OTR/L, CAGS
20152015

2. About Me: Allison
Sullivan
• Occupational Therapist for 22 years
• Group Exercise Instructor for 30 years
• A.I.C. Occupational Therapy Faculty
– Teaching responsibilities include mental
health curriculum and group dynamics
– Research interests in trauma-informed
care, sensory modulation, movement
therapy

3. Learning is movement from Moment to Moment”
-Krishnamurti
Learning is movement from Moment to Moment
-Krishnamurti

4. How we think about a situation often
influences our experience of it:
– Being worried or anxious can cause increased muscle
tension and inefficient breathing patterns
– Sympathetic nervous system becomes more engaged;
triggers “fight or flight” response

5. The experience of being human is embedded inThe experience of being human is embedded in
the sensory events of everyday lifethe sensory events of everyday life
-Winnie Dunn, OTR, 2001-Winnie Dunn, OTR, 2001
Sensory ExperiencesSensory Experiences

6. Sensory Input can be used purposefully to:Sensory Input can be used purposefully to:
To promote health and wellnessTo promote health and wellness
To enhance functional performanceTo enhance functional performance
To develop skills and abilitiesTo develop skills and abilities
To maintain skills and abilitiesTo maintain skills and abilities
- From the AOTA Practice Framework

7. Yoga is Sensory Modulation PracticeYoga is Sensory Modulation Practice
Sensory Modulation is:Sensory Modulation is:
the ability to take in sensory information,the ability to take in sensory information,
decide what is relevant,decide what is relevant,
and make an adaptive behavioral responseand make an adaptive behavioral response

8. Potential Benefits to Sensory Modulation
Techniques
• Facilitates self-organization & functional
performance
– Attention span
– Alertness
– Emotional Regulation
– Self-soothing
– Self-Awareness
– Feelings of safety
– De-escalation
– Communication/Interaction
– Relaxation/calming
– Grounding/Centering
– Development
Potential Benefits to Sensory Modulation TechnPotential Benefits to Sensory Modulation Techn
Self orgaSelf orga
FunctionFunction
AttenAtten
AlertnAlertn
EmotEmot
Self-sSelf-s
Self-ASelf-A
FeelinFeelin
CrisisCrisis
CommComm
SkillsSkills
InteraIntera
RelaxRelax
GrounGroun
DevelDevel

9. Health and Wellness Focus:
Mind-Body-Breath Pattern ofMind-Body-Breath Pattern of OrderOrder ==
Sensory Regulation (“Rest and Digest”)Sensory Regulation (“Rest and Digest”)
Mind-Body-Breath Pattern ofMind-Body-Breath Pattern of DisorderDisorder ==
Sensory Dysregulation (“Fight or Flight”)Sensory Dysregulation (“Fight or Flight”)

10. What is Yoga?What is Yoga?
• Yoga is an ancient practice which is
proven to improve health and well
being.
• 30 million people practice yoga
worldwide in their homes, community
centers, and workplaces.
• Yoga is mindful, noncompetitive
exercise, which emphasizes the
connection of body and mind, and of
movement and breathing.

11. WHY YOGA???WHY YOGA???
Yoga movements and breathing practices help:
“switch off” the fight-or- flight mode and
+ =
“switch on” the rest- and-digest mode,
which decreases stress levels
and improves health and energy levels.

12. Why Use a Yoga to IncreaseWhy Use a Yoga to Increase
Health and Wellness?Health and Wellness?
• People use and prefer meaningfulPeople use and prefer meaningful
sensorimotor activitiessensorimotor activities

13. WHY USE YOGA as a Sensory
Intervention?
• Developing a habit versus just an
activity is empowering
• The process of trying new things and
sustaining attention to chosen
activities is emphasized versus the
overall product of getting it 100%
correct ( i.e. following game rules or
recipe instructions)
• Sensory interventions enhance
relaxation, stress relief, and trust
building to increase a person’s ability
to calm oneself

14. Practice YogaKids’ “Take 5” & “Peace
Breath”:

17. Permission and EmpowermentPermission and Empowerment
• Using a more mindful approach, the messages weUsing a more mindful approach, the messages we
send become:send become:
It is OK to be good to yourself!It is OK to be good to yourself!
It is important to take care of yourselfIt is important to take care of yourself
You are in control!You are in control!
You deserve it!You deserve it!
• This process cultivates a warm,This process cultivates a warm,
nurturing, understanding environmentnurturing, understanding environment
of careof care (Champagne, 2003)(Champagne, 2003)

18. Need to consider the influence of :
Sensory Deprivation
Trauma
Nurturance
Therapeutic Environments

19. Modification Considerations:
• The following list is not all-inclusive:
– Age
– Symptoms
– Co-existing medical problems
– Culture
– Ability
– Complexity
– Safety Issues
– Changes in Status

20. Things to Keep In Mind WhenThings to Keep In Mind When
Starting to Practice YogaStarting to Practice Yoga
• Have Fun!Have Fun! Consumers feed off positiveConsumers feed off positive
energyenergy
• Go With the Flow!Go With the Flow! Don’t be afraid toDon’t be afraid to
improvise/amend as energy and interest inimprovise/amend as energy and interest in
choices waxes and wanes.choices waxes and wanes.
• If at First You Don’t SucceedIf at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try, Try, Try
Again! Anyone can have a bad day- don’tAgain! Anyone can have a bad day- don’t
take your most difficult days to heart.take your most difficult days to heart.

21. References
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2002). Occupational therapy
practice framework: Domain and process. American Journal of Occupational
Therapy,56,609-639.
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2005). Complementary and
alternative medicine (CAM) position paper. American Journal of
Occupational Therapy, 59,653-655.
Bowen-Irish, T.(2005).Bringing Yoga into the Classroom. Occupational Therapy
Advance Online. www.advanceweb.com/ot.
Champagne , T. (2003). Creating nurturing and healing environments for a
culture of care. Occupational Therapy Advance. Vol. 19 (19), p. 50.
Champagne , T. (2003). Sensory Modulation and Environment: Essential
Elements of Occupation . Champagne Conferences & Consultation:
Southampton, MA .
Gallagher, B. and Sabel, R. (2007).Restorative yoga.OT Practice, Vol.12
(21),pp.16-20.
Moore, K.(2005).The sensory connection program manual.Therapro, Inc.:
Framingham, MA.
Yogakids foundations facilitator training program manual. Long Beach,
IN:Dancing Feet Yoga Center, Inc.(2006)
www.yogakids.org