A new yoga class at Tula Yoga aims to offer something the instructor says she香蕉视频直播檚 never seen before in a studio setting: a safe, inclusive, and accessible space specifically designed for neurodivergent individuals to find calm, connection, and community.

'Ease and Embody', led by yoga instructor Isabelle Desmarais, runs Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m. at Tula Yoga in Royal Oak. The class is open to anyone 18 and older, regardless of ability or experience, but is tailored with the neurodivergent community in mind 香蕉视频直播� an audience Desmarais is personally connected to.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 neurodivergent myself,香蕉视频直播� Desmarais said. 香蕉视频直播淲hen I was doing my yoga teacher training, I kept thinking 香蕉视频直播� where can I offer from my heart? I didn香蕉视频直播檛 see spaces in studios that really welcomed folks like me, so I decided to create one.香蕉视频直播�

The class environment is carefully curated: dimmed lights, a small class size (limited to 10 participants), and an emphasis on gentleness and choice. Each session begins with a seated meditation and breathwork, moving into restorative poses and optional standing postures depending on the needs of the group that day.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 no recipe. I always start by asking: where do you need love in your body today?香蕉视频直播� Desmarais explained. 香蕉视频直播淔rom there, we shape the practice together. If someone wants to lie still the whole time, that香蕉视频直播檚 totally welcome. If someone wants to move more, we make space for that too.香蕉视频直播�

The response so far has been emotional.

"One person told me they were walking by the studio and just burst into tears when they saw the sign. They said, 香蕉视频直播楾hat香蕉视频直播檚 us,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� Desmarais recalled. 香蕉视频直播淭hat moment really stuck with me.香蕉视频直播�

Desmarais said the focus of the class is not on form or flexibility but on cultivating a deeper relationship with the body 香蕉视频直播� something that can be especially difficult for neurodivergent individuals who may live with heightened anxiety or sensory sensitivity. 香蕉视频直播淵oga isn香蕉视频直播檛 about turning your body into a pretzel,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about coming into union with yourself. That香蕉视频直播檚 the core of what I teach 香蕉视频直播� finding home in your body and learning to listen to its signals with kindness.香蕉视频直播�

The last ten minutes of each class feature a sound bath 香蕉视频直播� a meditative, sensory experience that uses sound to encourage deep rest. For some participants, the class has brought more than just relaxation.

香蕉视频直播淭here was someone who was really skeptical before trying it. They told me they didn香蕉视频直播檛 think it would help,香蕉视频直播� Desmarais said. 香蕉视频直播淏ut by the end of the class, they were lying on their back, asleep. For someone on the autism spectrum, where the brain often doesn香蕉视频直播檛 know how to rest easily, that香蕉视频直播檚 huge.香蕉视频直播�

Tula Yoga studio manager Bryttni Nameth said the class is a natural fit for the studio香蕉视频直播檚 inclusive mission.

香蕉视频直播淲e hope that Ease and Embody offers participants a space to connect 香蕉视频直播� to themselves and to each other,香蕉视频直播� Nameth said. 香蕉视频直播淔eeling different can sometimes be isolating, so we hope this class can be a place where neurodivergent individuals and even their families can find a sense of community and support.香蕉视频直播�

She praised Desmarais香蕉视频直播� ability to create a space that feels welcoming for all.

香蕉视频直播淚sabelle makes sure to voice that everyone is welcome, and that everything she offers in the class is just that 香蕉视频直播� an offering. You香蕉视频直播檙e always free to do what feels best for you.香蕉视频直播�

The idea for the class was sparked not by trend or training, but by Desmarais香蕉视频直播� own unmet need in the wellness world.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e seen yoga classes for LGBTQ+ folks, for BIPOC communities, but never one for neurodivergent people,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淪ometimes it takes recognizing a need in yourself to create something for others.香蕉视频直播�

Classes are $22 per session, and participants are encouraged to bring any items that help them feel more comfortable.

For Desmarais, who has been practicing yoga since she was 15 and began instructing a year and a half ago, the class is more than a professional milestone.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a dream come true,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淚 have to pinch myself sometimes 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 really happening.香蕉视频直播�

Tula Yoga is located at #140 香蕉视频直播� 777 Royal Oak Drive.