Jyothi Yoga Teacher Training for Autism

Hello and thank you for taking the time to read my story. 
My name is Jyothi and I am a single mom of an amazing 11 year old son named Sequoia.  Sequoia was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at the age of 3 and our lives were forever transformed to understanding human behavior in a completely new way.  The world no longer functioned the same for me and I grew a deeper understanding of child development and behavior analysis than I would have ever thought imaginable.  

Sequoia is high functioning and even our pediatrician didn’t see the early signs. We didn’t start receiving services until he was 4.  At that time he was babbling and couldn’t make a sentence, nor could he sit still or follow directions.  It was exhausting, to say the least, but even more exhausting was the endless phone calls, follow ups, and forms that I needed to fill out for each and every type of therapy and service that I fought to get for him.

For the past 8 years we have continually been going to various therapies such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, social  group therapies, ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapies,  and regular appointments with psychologists and  psychiatrists.
I can proudly say that therapy does work and it does pay off.  Sequoia is functioning at grade level in public school and is as smart as a whip.  He does struggle socially with his peers but that is typical of kiddos on the spectrum. He has a heart of gold and is one of the most compassionate humans I have ever met.  

Parenting a kiddo on the spectrum is never easy and is also incredibly isolating.  I was always on a budget and I sought out autism friendly groups and such, but I never found anything that we could connect to.  Joining regular classes, camps and sports was kind of out of the question because Sequoia needed special attention. Autism camps were few and far between and always filled up so fast or they didn’t correlate with his school schedule and we were already inundated with therapies it was difficult to squeeze in anything else. Basically, it was difficult to join kids activities.

It was always a fantasy of mine that there could be a recreational /community center, like a YMCA, but exclusively for families with ASD that had resources, support groups, sports and recreation classes taught by specialized therapists to teach the kiddos how to do basic things like kick a ball, to play soccer or swing a baseball bat along with swimming and gymnastics, etc.

A room that I fantasized the most about was the sensory friendly room.  This room would have low lights with twinkle stars on the ceiling, gentle music playing, and a variety of sensory friendly items, sound healing instruments, squishy memory foam corners to lie on with weighted blankets or bean bags to flop on and sink into and soft ropes attached to wall that kids could pull on for stretching and swinging on. Each class having a playful activities and movement portion with the latter half working on calming the central nervous system and bring ease to the kiddos bodies, hearts and minds.

I have been dreaming of this recreational center for a very long time and have discussed with many people how to start such a project.  It is a very big idea that needs a lot of people and money and maybe someday I will get there. However, a very dear friend told me I had a great vision but I needed to start smaller so that I could achieve a more attainable goal and then grow from there.

As an Events Manager, my entire industry was brought to a complete halt when this Pandemic hit and I have been unemployed and home Schooling 
Sequoia since it began.  I have surrendered to the fact that my industry will not be bouncing back any time soon and have been trying to figure how to apply myself and move forward.  It has been emotionally challenging,  to say the very least, as I know it has been for so many. However, it has also granted me the time to really search within my heart to figure out what the next steps are for me, my career, and our future lives as we push forth in this society after such a traumatic experience.

Yoga has always been a practice of mine but I have turned to it even more during quarantine.  I have always wanted to accelerate my practice to the next level and attain my yoga teacher training.  Perhaps I never had the time or money, but also perhaps I never had the right motivation.  During one of my morning practices and doing some intense breath work I had a moment of clarity and it all became very clear to me what I wanted to put my energies towards while trying to rebuild my life and my career.
I want to bring my vision to life. 
I want to begin by getting my yoga teacher training.
I want to take some on-line courses starting my own business and creating a non-profit that can support my studio and eventually build a recreation center.
Then, I want to begin creating my sensory friendly studio and design a Special sanctuary for ASD kiddos, and possibly adults as well, teaching guided yoga inspired movement and teach self regulating techniques in a safe Space with support staff and lots of sensory supporting tools.

A comforting place of community that families enjoy and feel safe dropping their kids off and are granted an opportunity to let their child be free to move and express themselves naturally.  A place that doesn’t require insurance or a doctors referral and allowing the parents and families a place to return to for support and guidance.  I could go on and on about my vision for this space.  It is so clear to me because I have been dreaming of it for years.  However, I need to start with some basics first before I can begin to build this dream.

1. Attain my 200 hours of yoga teacher training. 

2. Work with another yoga specialist who works with kiddos on the spectrum. I have already found at a wonderful Yoga Studio where I can begin this work.

3. Pay for such training that costs $3000

I am very much out of my comfort zone
when it comes to asking for money.   I am a hard working midwestern girl who has wanted to live and make it on her own forever. I moved out to California at age 19 and put myself through college. I have worked very hard for everything I have ever achieved.  However, these times are truly unprecedentedand I have few options for work, as do many people right now.  Plus, I still need to care for and home school my son.
I have been granted the space and time to attain my yoga teacher training and have found the perfect school.  However, I am unable to afford it and therefore this is my Go Fund Me.  The funds are specifically to get the training.  Once I achieve that, I can begin my journey to opening up my studio.

If you can offer anything so that I may move forward with my dreams I will shine so much gratitude your way you won’t know what hit you.

Thank you so much for your consideration and may love and light guide your way. 

Namaste,
Jyothi