WINTERFEST: Strengthening Minds and Bodies: Evidence, Benefits, and Practical Strategies to use Yoga in Pediatric Care

ON DEMAND WEBINAR

Presented by Mary Kate Uebelein MSOT, OTR/L, BCP

0.5 Contact Hours

Description:

Yoga and mindfulness-based interventions are promising tools for occupational therapy practitioners to enhance physical and emotional well-being in children and adolescents. Research supports their effectiveness in improving emotional regulation, attention, body awareness, and resilience (Beisbier & Laverdure, 2020; Grajo et al., 2020; Wasilition & McClafferty, 2025). Practical implementation within pediatric settings remains a challenge, often due to uncertainty about how to adapt practices for specific developmental or behavioral needs (Mazzeo & Bendixen, 2022). This presentation will explore the evidence, benefits, and strategies to confidently integrate these practices into your work with diverse caseloads.

This session will begin with a mindfulness activity, followed by a brief review of current research on the efficacy of yoga and mindfulness for pediatric populations. Participants will learn the benefits of yoga, explore trauma-informed principles that guide safe yoga practices, and learn how to modify interventions to suit children on their caseload. Participants will learn specific treatment strategies to address physical fitness, mind-body awareness, and self-regulation. Solutions will include pairing additional sensory inputs with yoga, use of visuals, building interoceptive awareness, and incorporating specific interests (Patten et al., 2024). Examples of appropriate pediatric breathing exercises, individual and group yoga games, and opportunity for the practitioners to try these.

Attendees will practice teach-back strategies to reinforce learning and build confidence in using yoga-based tools within clinical, educational, and community settings. By the end of this presentation, pediatric practitioners will be better equipped to integrate accessible, evidence-informed yoga strategies that enhance care for children and families.

Objectives:

• After this session, participants will be able to identify the evidence base for yoga interventions
• After this session, participants will understand the benefits of yoga and mindfulness-based interventions for children
• After this session, participants will identify resources and strategies to implement adapted yoga interventions with children
• After this session, participants will list principles for implementing yoga with a trauma informed lens

Presenter bio:

Mary Kate Uebelein is a pediatric occupational therapist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, where she provides outpatient services for children ages 0–21, with specialized experience in developmental delay, feeding challenges, and the Down Syndrome clinic. She earned her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, with a research emphasis in trauma-informed care. Her clinical background spans early intervention, home health, acute care, and clinic-based therapy across multiple states, including West Virginia, New Mexico, and Ohio. She also completed the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship at the University of New Mexico, deepening her expertise in family-centered care, advocacy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to her clinical work, Mary Kate is a certified yoga instructor and group fitness instructor, with advanced training in teaching seniors, children, and individuals with Autism and ADHD. She holds board certification in pediatrics from AOTA and is a licensed occupational therapist in Ohio.

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