By Rutger Tamminga
Didi Ananda Subhada of Medan’s Kindle School for children with special needs organized an online seminar on the occasion of Autism Awareness Day. As a co-speaker it was an honor to be part of the event.
Evelyn Tjiandri, University of Toronto, spoke about the role of music on the brain and how this supports the recovery process. In her excellent and scientifically well researched speech she showed how those recovering from accidents or people with neurological problems (including ADHD, Alzheimer’s, dementia, autism, epilepsy) recover faster with music and rhythm based on neurological plasticity.
I gave a presentation on my experience with Kids Yoga for special needs, which has been something I have been engaged in for the past 25 years. I did so based on the yogic model of internal vayus, as well as the western analytical approach of stimulation of the nerves, glands and sub glands and how the effects of yoga differ per age group.
Daphnie Wong and Didi Ananda Subhada spoke about Brain Gym and their experience in Indonesia and Malaysia with special needs children. Daphnie’s center Achievement Brain Cognitive Development Centre in Kuala Lumpur has been going on for over twenty years and served many students through her creative and dynamic support.
AMAYE was a co-sponsor of this event. The recording of the seminar, which was presented in English with translation in Bahasa is available through Zoom upon request.