Special Yoga, a trailblazer in therapeutic yoga, founded by Jyoti Manuel, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the announcement of a significant global expansion. This initiative aims to address anxiety and enhance mental health for children and families worldwide.
Jyoti Manuel, a leading figure in therapeutic yoga, has devoted over four decades to harnessing yoga’s transformative power for children with special needs. Her journey began at 17 with a profound experience in London before relocating to New York, where she first encountered yoga as a powerful tool for healing. Upon her return to the UK in the late 1980s, Jyoti adapted yoga practices to cater to various needs, including autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, and visual impairments.
In 2002, Jyoti launched the UK’s first training programme for yoga for children, driven by her deep passion for helping children develop focus, regulation, and well-being through yoga. Special Yoga was then established as a registered charity, quickly gaining recognition and support from high-profile patrons such as Samantha Cameron and Trudy Styler. Despite facing financial challenges that led to the charity’s temporary closure, Jyoti’s unwavering dedication led to the successful transformation of Special Yoga into a remote training school during the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift allowed Special Yoga to reach thousands of practitioners and positively impact hundreds of thousands of children globally.
Looking ahead to 2025, Special Yoga plans to expand into Spain, Mexico, Austria, and French Canada. This global initiative is in response to growing interest from senior practitioners, NHS paediatric provisions, schools, and academy trusts, highlighting the expanding recognition of Special Yoga’s impactful work. Jyoti Manuel recently presented Special Yoga’s achievements at a major conference on learning disabilities and autism at Birmingham Children’s and Women’s Hospital.
Beyond her work with Special Yoga, Jyoti Manuel is a prominent voice in the field, having contributed to parliamentary discussions as a leader of the APG Yoga in Society’s education pillar, and appeared on numerous podcasts. She is also in the process of authoring her second book on special parenting, love, and yoga, following her acclaimed 2014 publication, Spiritual Teachings of Yoga.
Reflecting on Special Yoga’s mission, Jyoti Manuel said: “The world is grappling with increased levels of anxiety, trauma, and dis-regulation affecting both children and adults. Special Yoga’s mission has never been more critical, and our global expansion will allow us to extend our healing practices to more communities in need.”
One of Jyoti’s most rewarding experiences is seeing children achieve milestones previously thought unattainable. A touching example is the story of Charlie, who brought her 4-year-old son with complex needs and visual impairment to Special Yoga. Within six months, her son began walking, enabling them to explore life together in ways they never imagined possible. This transformation has profoundly impacted both their lives.
For more information, visit Special Yoga’s website, follow them on Instagram at @specialyogaglobal, and connect on Facebook at Special Yoga.
