The wellness sector is rarely an exception in a world that often seems to exclude neurodivergent people. Hannah Gould’s yoga classes at Stepping Stone Studios are anything but exclusionary.
“In a yoga class, I have some speakers, some non-speakers, parents, friends and allies — the whole neurodiverse range in the same class,” said Gould. “But we’re all moving together, breathing together, relaxing together, being challenged together. It really creates a cohesive feeling of community and shared experience.”
The sense of community is evident during her classes, which are held Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Her students, many of whom she has known for years, seem to care about each other. They help classmates with challenging poses and welcome newcomers.
Janet Li, a parent of one of Gould’s students, feels that the sense of community and belonging has been particularly impactful for her daughter, Zara.
“When she was younger, she participated in children’s yoga classes, but as she entered her teens, those classes began to outpace her. We were actually made to feel unwelcome,” Li said. “For years, we searched for an inclusive group yoga environment, and we are genuinely grateful that Hannah offers this class for teens and adults. She creates a warm, welcoming space for individuals of all abilities and gives clear, supportive instruction. This program fills a real need.”
(photo by Emma Kresge)
Anyone is welcome to participate in Gould’s classes, but they are designed specifically to be accessible for the neurodivergent community, which means people whose brains differ in mental or neurological function from what is considered “typical.” She uses visual instruction, which means that every class is laid out on a color-coded schedule and how-to vision boards to which students have constant access. She teaches with concise verbal instruction that aligns with her visual tools, and she often includes visual supports like hand and foot markers.
“Many of my students do not really live in the world of words, of verbal communication. Even if they are verbal communicators, they live very much in the world of sensation, movement, energy, color, breath,” said Gould. “So, yoga is really a tool that allows me to meet them where they are and to really share a meaningful experience together.”
Those who attend Gould’s classes also have more freedom and say in how class is run than the average yoga student. Gould creates an environment where students know they only have to do what they are comfortable doing. If somebody needs to rest, they can rest. She also has an assistant, Margaret Nokes, who provides additional support throughout class.
Voice Colors, the nonprofit founded by Eve Megargel that Gould works with to bring yoga to the neurodivergent community, aims to help people with autism thrive with different ways of communication — whether that’s through art, cooking, music or yoga. The nonprofit has trained and certified more than 30 teachers in the practice of neurodivergent-specific yoga. The discipline is taught at 12 locations and serves more than 100 people with autism per week, according to its website.
Though the curriculum was created in 2018, Voice Colors Yoga just recently began holding classes at Stepping Stone, or an actual yoga studio. Gould used to bring her teaching skills to the programs where people with autism spend their days. Having classes at Stepping Stone is an opportunity to give the neurodivergent yoga community its own space, and thus provide them access to the same experiences that neurotypical students have.
“It’s a different vibe going into a yoga studio where it’s this very calming, soothing environment … different than like, I might be teaching on a cafeteria floor in a day program,” said Gould.
The biggest challenges for Voice Colors Yoga, Gould said, have been growing the program and getting past preconceived notions about yoga and autism.
“I don’t think that Yoga, at this point, is really on the radar of a lot of parents or programs who are working with autism,” she said. That means Gould has to work extra hard to even make sure people know that yoga is an option for neurodivergent people.
“I run into a lot of ‘My students won’t be able to do that,’ ‘My kid won’t be able to focus that long.’ It’s sort of getting in there and showing people what’s possible with the right approach,” Gould said.
Not only is yoga possible for people with autism, it’s successful. Gould has been teaching yoga to neurodivergent people for years and has seen the positive effect it’s had on students’ lives, both short and long term. In class, she watches how an initial chaotic atmosphere transforms into tranquility and harmony by the end. She watches her students build confidence and independence in their yoga skills and revel in moments of leadership.
“I expect my students to work, I expect my students to learn, I expect my students to grow and show progress,” Gould said “The underlying message that I think they really strongly receive is: you’re capable, I believe in you, come on, get up, let’s see what you got. And they really do, they rise to the challenge and they light up.”
Outside of the classroom, Gould has received feedback from parents and day program staff that yoga days are better days for her students. She said that one thing that has been particularly beautiful to witness is her students taking what they’ve learned in class and applying it as stress regulation in their real lives.
“She seems to have this sense of yoga being her thing. It calms her, she seems totally right when we leave here,” said Peggy Burling of her daughter, Amy, who is a student.
Gould says that as people with autism grow up, the spaces for them to be active and find community dwindle. She hopes her yoga instruction grows alongside her students. There is no age limit for Voice Colors.
“It’s a celebration of shared humanity. All of the differences — in communication, in social presentation, the things that kind of create a barrier to really connecting — they just fall away,” Gould said. “We’re just being humans together.”
This story was produced in partnership with the Boston University Department of Journalism.
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Hannah is doing great works; my son loves her classes. We’re grateful to Stepping Stone Studios for having them.