Voice Colors Yoga for Autism
We are dedicated to providing top-quality yoga instruction and teacher training specifically designed for students with autism.
Voice Colors Yoga is a dynamic interactive educational practice grounded in empathy, compassion and respect.
The Voice Colors Yoga teaching methodology utilizes a variety of visual communication supports to ensure that all students with autism are able to access the benefits of yoga and make meaningful progress in their yoga practice.
Core Beliefs
We believe that all individuals on the autism spectrum:
- Are communicators capable of independent self-expression grounded in social relationships
- Are life-long learners who strive to meet new challenges and cultivate an array of new insights and skill sets.
- Require access to visuals, vocabulary and concepts that enhance their understanding of yoga and support their ability to participate as independently as possible
Yoga and Autism: A Natural Fit
- Yoga addresses many aspects of autism as a systems disorder: Individuals with autism tend to experience some degree of imbalance and sensitivity across physical systems (gastro-intestinal, seizure, emotional, sensory etc...). This makes it imperative to support optimal balance in their minds, bodies and nervous systems.
- Yoga can be taught visually rather than verbally, playing to the strengths of students with communication challenges.
- Yoga is an effective way to manage stress and develop self-awareness and self-regulation skills.
- Yoga provides physical exercise with benefits such as strength, flexibility and overall physical well-being essential to maintaining good health
- Yoga provides a way to connect with others through meaningful shared social experience in community.
- Yoga can be adapted to meet the needs of individuals at any level of physical fitness or ability, and the level of challenge progresses at an appropriate pace for each individual.
Yoga for Autism Teacher Training
Yoga Classes
We provide ongoing weekly yoga classes for teens and adults with autism in Waltham, MA.
Our classes are ideal for groups from local day or residential programs.
Private sessions also available.
Contact us below to schedule a class today!
Workshops for Professionals and Families
Who We Are
Eve Megargel, M.T.S
Executive Director
Founder of Voice Colors
Founder of Voice Colors Communication Resource Model (VCCRM). Parent of an adult yogi with autism, Eve Megargel is an author, educator, filmmaker, and pioneer in advocating that all individuals on the autism spectrum are independent communicators who are capable of self-expression and social relationships. Eve consults, collaborates, and engages on key autism issues and initiatives with several organizations, including Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston’s Jewish Family and Children’s Services. She is a member of the MGH Family Advisory Council and the Lurie Center Leadership Council. Eve received her master’s degree in Theology from Harvard University, and her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband Matt and son Billy in Weston,
Hannah Gould
Program Director
Lead Yoga Instructor
Hannah Gould, M.Ed, E-RYT is a well-known special educator and yoga teacher. Hannah has been a trailblazer in bringing meaningful and effective yoga to children and adults with autism and other special needs. Hannah received her M.Ed. in the education of children with special needs from Simmons College in 1999 and completed her certification as a yoga teacher in 2005. Hannah has worked as an educator, social skills counselor and yoga instructor in a variety of settings with both children and adults. From 2007 - 2016, Hannah directed the therapeutic yoga program at NESCA, a pediatric clinical practice in Newton, MA. Hannah has directed the Voice Colors Yoga program since 2005. Hannah also currently teaches in local day and residential programs and at Laughing Dog Yoga in Wellesley, MA.
Kerrie Baldwin
Yoga Instructor
Kerrie is a certified 500hr Registered Yoga Teacher and Trainer (RYTT) and has been both teaching and practicing Vinyasa Yoga since 2010 in Boston and the Greater Boston area. In addition in 2014, Kerrie became a certified Ayurvedic Yoga specialist with the Himalayan Institute. Kerrie taught classes to special needs students while volunteering for Hands to Heart Center, a Boston-based yoga organization that provides classes to underprivileged communities. Kerrie joined the Voice Colors team in early 2017 to connect and teach strengthening, challenging, nurturing, and meditative peace through Yoga. Kerrie Baldwin is also a licensed cosmetologist, and she owned and operated a salon in Dedham for 13 years. Currently, Kerrie works at Dellaria and Lifetime Athletic and also provides onsite styling services and yoga classes for special events.