A Personal Journey
Hello, my name is Suzanne Manson. I am a Yoga Therapist and the founder of Suru Therapy, but more importantly, I am a mother to Ruby, a beautiful, neurodiverse teenager with acute dyspraxia. Ruby also experiences dysgraphia, dyscalculia, vision integration difficulties, and ADD.
For those who don’t know, dyspraxia, also called Developmental Coordination Disorder, is not about intelligence. It is about the way the brain and body communicate to plan, sequence, and carry out movement. Everyday tasks like tying shoelaces, writing, or balancing on one leg can feel overwhelming.
And yet, what I have discovered, through my daughter’s journey and through working with hundreds of neurodiverse children, is that yoga and movement therapy are transformative. They unlock the body, calm the nervous system, and allow children to feel capable, confident, and whole.
The Hidden Challenges of Dyspraxia
Children with dyspraxia often struggle with:
♥ Crossing the midline of the body
♥ Bilateral coordination
♥ Sequencing and planning movements
♥ Balance and proprioception
♥ Core stability and posture
♥ Fine motor skills like writing or dressing
When combined with dysgraphia and dyscalculia, challenges extend into handwriting, number recognition, and memory sequencing. With vision integration disorders, children may struggle with eye tracking, reading across a page, or spatial awareness.
These difficulties affect more than learning; they shape self-esteem, friendships, and emotional confidence. Many children with dyspraxia feel anxious, frustrated, or even depressed because their bodies seem out of sync with the world.
And this is why yoga matters so deeply.
Why Yoga and Somatic Movement Work
Yoga is not about perfection. There are no red marks, no competition, no wrong moves. It offers a safe space where children can explore movement with curiosity and self-compassion.
Here’s why yoga is uniquely powerful for dyspraxia and its co-occurring conditions
♥ Crossing the Midline: Twists, diagonal reaches, and cross-patterned flows integrate the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
♥ Bilateral Integration: Sun salutations, crawling movements, and animal walks train both sides of the body to work together.
♥ Proprioception: Weight-bearing postures like plank, downward dog, and supported squats give feedback to muscles and joints, strengthening body awareness
♥ Vestibular System: Rocking, rolling, and gentle inversions regulate balance and coordination.
♥ Core Stability: Yoga strengthens abdominal and spinal muscles, helping children sit upright and move with more control.
♥ Breath Regulation: Pranayama teaches children to calm their nervous systems, manage anxiety, and focus.
♥ Somatic Awareness: Yoga helps children “feel from the inside,” developing interoception and trust in their bodies.
The Role of Fascia and Trauma Release
One of the most profound aspects of yoga for dyspraxia is its effect on fascia—the connective tissue web that holds the body together. Children with dyspraxia often carry tension in their fascia. This creates stiffness, restricts movement, and even traps emotional stress responses.
Through stretching, breath-led movement, and gentle release, yoga hydrates and frees the fascia. This not only improves mobility but also allows children to let go of frustration, fear, and sadness held in their bodies. Many leave sessions lighter, calmer, and more open to learning
Extra Benefits for Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia & Vision Integration
♥ Dysgraphia: Yoga strengthens the shoulder girdle and wrists, improving handwriting stamina. Fascial release reduces hand fatigue, while core strength supports upright posture for writing.
♥ Dyscalculia: Yoga develops sequencing and rhythm through flows, helping children understand step-by-step processes. Breath counting and patterned movements mirror mathematical structure.
♥ Vision Integration: Drishti (gaze points) and eye-tracking practices in yoga improve visual coordination, reading, and spatial awareness. Crossing the midline supports scanning across a page.
20 Benefits of Yoga & Fascia Release for Children with Dyspraxia
- Improves joint mobility and reduces stiffness
- Enhances coordination through freer connective tissue
- Supports better balance and stability
- Builds core strength and postural control
- Expands range of motion in hips, shoulders, and spine
- Improves fine motor control in hands and arms
- Makes midline crossing easier and smoother
- Deepens body awareness and interoception
- Expands breath capacity by releasing the ribcage fascia
- Calms sensory overload through nervous system release
11. Helps discharge stored trauma from overwhelm
12. Builds emotional resilience and confidence
13. Improves focus and concentration
14. Enhances overall energy flow and vitality
15. Supports functional life skills like feeding and dressing
16. Reduces fatigue from compensatory tension patterns
17. Encourages fluid, spiral movement rather than rigidity
18. Reduces pain and discomfort from tightness
19. Creates lightness and freedom in the body
20. Inspires joy and confidence in movement, making new tasks less daunting
An Invitation
Dyspraxia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and vision integration disorders are not limitations. They are invitations.
Invitations to slow down. To move differently. To connect body, brain, and breath in a way that honours each child’s unique rhythm.
At Suru Therapy, yoga is not about fixing deficits; it is about awakening the body’s wisdom, celebrating strengths, and giving children back their sense of safety, belonging, and hope.
Every child carries treasures waiting to unfold. Movement, breath, and play simply open the door. 🌿
💛 www.surutherapy.com | suzanne@surutherapy.com