Testimonials

"Following several months of participation by the students in the general education classroom, their (students) reflex integration significantly improved. Significant improvements in ..
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Currently the University of Kansas Medical Center in is the process of doing their own research on Yogari™.  The purpose of their study is to examine the (Read More)

Getting Started

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Workshops & Conferences

Yogari™ Conference Information

In addition to a full day of training on Yogari™ and education on children's reflexes, reflexes in the educational environment, and children and technology.

You will receive:...

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Mailing Address:
Yogari™
c/o Creative Innovations
P.O. Box 190
Mulvane, Kansas 67110

Why Yogari™?
When Yogari™ was first created and good results were first noted  … a couple of things happened. 

Word of Yogari™ started to spread to other teachers outside the district and even outside the county.  This included PE teachers, preschool teachers, SPED teachers and therapists.  I had to make a decision.  Do I contact a book publisher with hopes to sell the program alongside countless YOGA programs on the market with the hopes that it will catch on and be the next big thing at your favorite chain bookstore … or do I see if it is evidenced based from a quality program known for clinical research in the medical field and therapy.

Since Yogari™ was created on theories based in neurological development with reflex integration being the key focus and eastern culture yoga postures being another principle guide, I felt that I did not want to pursue or market this program to anyone until it was research and evidence based.  I was a graduate of the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) and felt this would be a great place to start.  KUMC has always been ranked within the top 5 of all occupational therapy programs in the state and with research there is no one any better.  I talked with the research coordinator, Lisa Mische-Lawson and after a couple of meetings and coordination meetings, Lisa received approval from Winnie Dunn, Ph D, FAOTA and other committees to move forward with the research project. 

It was an intense and educational experience seeing the project move forward with Lisa and 2 doctoral occupational therapists (Jane and Angela) working on this project and putting together the structure and direction for the research.  Over the past three years, groups of occupational therapy interns (who selected this project over many others, thankfully) have worked hard on watching countless videos and putting together intense data to determine the results of this double blind study.  Because of spring break and other influences, the research duration was not as long as Lisa and I would have like to see, however you have to start somewhere.  I have anxiously awaited for the results.  Early reports from Lisa was that there was significant improvement in some areas with certain kids and then some mixed results in other areas. 

I am still awaiting the final report, however I pursued evidenced based research – medical and education model over trying to be the next fad in the bookstore.  If the results shows some benefit for children and will help with their focus, development and overall academics that would be outstanding and the reason I developed this program to help students move forward.  If not, then at least I know and the medical and educational communities will know as well.

Jeff Belden, OTR/L
3/19/10

Why Yogari™?
Yogari™ was created for the reason that I couldn’t be in every school to help every student that needed help.  I service a County that has 2 5A schools, and 4 3A(?) schools with countless private schools, preschools and special education curriculums.  Did I mention I am the only occupational therapist on staff?  Does this sound familiar?  With cutbacks, limited OTs available and increased amount of kids entering the schools with less developmental skills than every before, it can become overwhelming very quickly.  

Yogari™ is a tool that is to be used with other tools in the schools, the only difference is that this one is focused on research (KUMC, 2007-2010 study – study not completed yet).  It is developed on theories of reflex integration that is needed before sensory systems and motor systems can fully develop to there potential.  Most of what occurs in schools is not focused this far back in the development of the child.  In schools, therapists and teachers tend to focus on motor output and coordination, however before these skills can be developed well you first need the sensory systems to develop and before that you need your reflexes to be integrated. 

In a nutshell,  schools often focus on the symptoms (poor attention and focus, poor handwriting, poor skipping, etc), when we should look at the cause.  Sometimes the cause is much deeper than therapists and teachers assess.

Yogari™ was developed to focus on the foundation of development just above the DNA, the reflex system.  Four reflexes are targeted with Yogari™ and are geared to help the body integrate right and left sides, front and back and bottom and top – it is hard to cut a circle if the right and left sides of the body aren’t communication well. 

Sounds pretty technical doesn’t it.  The cool thing is that when kids participate in Yogari™, they are using their imaginations and playing a game by watching a story.   That’s it.  No medical or educational stuff to the kids, just fun.  It is inexpensive, doesn’t take much time and kids like it.  Sounds like a pretty good tool to have, especially with budget cuts in schools and limited resources to help out.

Jeff Belden, OTR/L
3/19/10