Yoga for Autism: A Teacher’s Story and Simple Practices for the Yoga Classroom
For Autism Awareness Month, I’m excited to share a guest story from one of our School Yoga Program participants, Julie Taylor. Julie is a children’s yoga teacher who specializes in yoga for autism and supporting children with diverse needs through a compassionate, inclusive approach.
Julie’s work is deeply personal, shaped by her experience as a mother of an autistic son and her extensive training in yoga, Reiki, and sound healing. In the article below, Julie shares her journey and the practices she uses to help children feel calm, connected, and supported, both in their bodies and in their daily lives.
Hi, I’m Julie.
My family and I live in Southern New Jersey, but our journey has taken us all over the world. As a military family, we’ve had the opportunity to live in places like Hawaii, Germany, England, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. Each chapter shaped who I am today, but it was during our time in Kauai, Hawaii in the late 1990s that my path truly began. That was where I was first introduced to energy work, sparking a lifelong journey of healing, connection, and purpose.
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising from Northern Arizona University, but my life’s work has evolved far beyond what I originally imagined. Today, I am a Usui and Tibetan Reiki Master, a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, and a 95-hour children’s yoga teacher with a focus on inclusion and accessibility. I’m also a Special Olympics New Jersey Yoga Unified Teacher and a certified Gong Practitioner in Yoga Nidra and Meditation.
But my most meaningful teacher has always been my son, Brandon. Brandon is 22 years old and autistic. For most of his life, he was non-speaking. Communication was often difficult, and navigating the world brought many challenges. Over time, however, Brandon taught our family something profound—that communication goes far beyond words. Through patience, presence, and connection, we learned to understand one another in ways that transcended language.
More importantly, he gained confidence, purpose, and a sense of contribution
In 2017, inspired by Brandon, I created Ohana Swirls, Life Art Autism, LLC. What began as a grassroots effort grew into a meaningful platform focused on creativity, independence, and advocacy. Through art, Brandon developed life skills—painting, packaging notecards, building birdhouses, and even helping with our Etsy shop. More importantly, he gained confidence, purpose, and a sense of contribution. That experience shaped both of us in ways I will always carry forward. I closed the business in 2021, but its heart and mission never left me.
Then came one of the most challenging periods of our lives—the COVID years. Like many families, we faced deep struggles. Our youngest son went through a difficult time, and as a family, we were navigating trauma, uncertainty, and emotional exhaustion.
In February 2022, everything began to shift.
A friend invited me to yoga. I said yes, and that single decision changed everything.
I began practicing daily, sometimes twice a day. Yoga became my anchor, a place where I could breathe, move, and begin to process the weight of what we had been through.
Then I experienced the gong. The vibrations moved through my body in a way I had never felt before. Something shifted within me—deep, cellular, undeniable. In that moment, I knew I would be okay. Soon after, I invited my yoga teacher to bring the gong into our home for Brandon.
One day, as we were driving, Brandon suddenly said, “STOP.”
It startled me, but it also filled my heart in a way I can’t fully describe. Soon, he was saying, “Green light—go! Red light—stop!”
After 22 years of being non-speaking, he was finding his voice.
I began researching, learning about sound healing and how the vibrations of the gong can support the brain in forming new neural pathways. I witnessed it firsthand. Before long, I owned three gongs of my own and began deepening my practice.
That was the beginning of the next chapter:
Ohana Swirls Mindful Movement.
This work was born organically, from lived experience, from healing, from love. “Ohana” means family. “Swirls” represents life, art, and energy. And “Mindful Movement” reflects the integration of everything I’ve learned and embodied.
Today, I guide children and adults of all abilities through a holistic approach to wellness—blending yoga, Reiki, sound healing, and Yoga Nidra. My goal is simple yet profound: to help others find calm within their bodies and peace within their hearts.
One of the ways I make my classes accessible and supportive for all learners is through the use of visual aids. I utilize enlarged, laminated picture cards of each yoga posture to help guide students through every asana. These visuals provide predictability, reduce anxiety, and support children who benefit from seeing rather than hearing instructions.
Recently, I discovered KYS School Yoga Sidekick (offered in the School Yoga Program), and it has been an incredible addition to my teaching toolkit. It has truly transformed the way I create materials. I can customize exactly what I need by choosing the posture, background, clothing colors, and even the age and representation of the child. Like magic, the images come to life. I download them directly to my iPad and scroll through the sequence during class, allowing for a smooth, engaging, and visually supported experience. It’s not only a tremendous time-saver, but also helps me create inclusive, relatable content that meets my students exactly where they are.
| “Julie has a very calm demeanor and soft voice that is great to lead something both calming AND fun! The kids seem very responsive to her storytelling. Every session is an adventure. The students really love the calming energy from the gong.” |
In my classes, I often incorporate the gong during Savasana. The results are powerful. You can feel the shift in the room. Children who were once full of energy settle into stillness. Their bodies soften. Their nervous systems regulate. It’s not something we can always see, but we can feel it—and we can witness the transformation.
“Miss Julie provided an amazing experience for the students. Her stories and warmth took the children through an adventure. The gong is captivating and relaxing. What an awesome yoga experience.” |
One of my favorite ways to engage younger students is through weighted stuffed animals, or “Warmies.” Each one represents a yoga pose. The children connect with the characters, explore movement through imagination, and build body awareness in a way that feels safe and joyful. We end each session with rest, sound, and affirmations—often followed by a self-hug and a moment of connection.
And sometimes, a child will look at me and say, “I feel peace in my heart.”
That is my “why.”
I am deeply grateful for the teachers and mentors who have supported me along the way, helping me see gifts in myself that I hadn’t yet recognized. Through their guidance and my own lived experiences, I have found my path.
I now teach in special education settings and continue to expand my offerings into schools and communities. My work is trauma-informed, neurodiversity-affirming, and rooted in compassion and accessibility.
I have also trained in Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra, a powerful practice that allows the body to rest deeply while the mind softens—much like the experience of the gong. Together, these modalities create space for profound healing and restoration.
Healing doesn’t always look the way we expect. Often, it happens quietly, within the body, beyond what we can see. But when we create the right conditions—safety, presence, and care—the body knows how to find its way back to balance. This is the work I am honored to share.
Ohana Swirls Mindful Movement is more than a program; it is my calling. A continuation of everything I’ve lived, learned, and loved. And this is just the beginning.
5 Poses to Start a Yoga for Autism Class
Below, you’ll find five yoga postures that Julie uses to start one of her kids yoga classes for students with diverse needs, with the theme of “I Shine Bright and Feel Strong.” She incorporates positive affirmations along with the movement to help them embody the meaning of the words.
1. Mountain Pose (Stand tall)
How to practice Mountain Pose: Stand tall with your legs hip-width apart and toes pointing forward. Take your arms straight alongside your body. Say, “I stand tall and strong.”
2. Extended Mountain Pose (Arms to the sky)
How to practice Extended Mountain Pose: Stand tall in Mountain Pose. Inhale, look up, and raise your arms straight up to the sky. Say, “I reach for the sun.”
3. Crescent Moon Pose (Sway side to side)
How to practice Crescent Moon Pose: Standing, reach your arms up high over your head, bringing your palms together. Tilt your upper body to one side. Come back to center. Tilt your body to the other side. Say, “I move like the breeze.”
4. Standing Forward Bend (Bend down)
How to practice Standing Forward Bend: Stand tall with legs hip-width apart, toes pointing forward, and straighten your arms alongside your body. Bend your upper body and reach for your toes. Say, “I let go and relax.”
5. Standing Half Forward Bend (Look forward)
How to practice Standing Half Forward Bend: From Standing Forward Bend, on an inhale, come up to a flat back and gently rest your palms on your calves. Look slightly forward in front of your feet and ensure your spine is straight. Hold this pose for a few breaths then release your hands back to your toes. Say, “I am awake and ready.”
Connect with Julie Taylor here:
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