About

Close to two decades ago, long-time yogi and yoga instructor, and past owner/founder of Mound Street Yoga Studio,  Scott Anderson, Ph.D (Kinesiology), noticed a pattern in which students asked him to help their family members and friends with autism lower their responses to outside stressors and stimuli. After working with several such neurodivergent clients, Scott realized that many of his go-to poses and exercises, when done in a specific way and in a specific order, "unlocked" the body's grip on the muscles inhibiting a full, diaphragmatic breath. He saw how the ability to take this full breath further stimulated the vagus nerve, reducing stress by telling the body it's safe to focus on other things with increased concentration, and thereby aiding with digestion, sleep, relaxation, and the ability to be present.

Scott's yoga studio began providing group sessions for students with autism to be guided through this sequence, which Scott named "the Recipe," by a trained volunteer. In 2008, Scott and other volunteers officially formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit known as Spectrum Yoga Therapy to provide increased access to this practice. Over the years, the model has changed to focus on one-to-one sessions with professionally trained individuals in addition to group classes, and the nonprofit name changed to YogAutism™.  

Since Scott's work with YogAutism, many dedicated and caring people have worked incredibly hard to make sure we could continue to spread our mission. This includes current staff and independent contractors, such as Kelly Petrie, Founder of the Maitri Center for Mindful Living, and Jody Alexander, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher and TRE (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) Provider with a long history of supporting individuals with autism. Many past and former members of the Board of Directors have been instrumental as well, including Nanette A. Negri, Ph.D., who has 50 years of experience supporting those with Autism, Diane Sing, a 500-hour registered yoga teacher at 8-3-1 Yoga and Founder of Madison Outdoor Yoga who is passionate about making yoga accessible to people of color and those with disabilities, and Carrie Waters-Schmidt. 

Carrie specifically was instrumental in keeping YogAutism not only operating during the pandemic but growing in scope and service provision. Her eight-year tenure (2018-2026, during which she mostly served as President) saw the creation of YogAutism's "home office" paid, professional staff, as YogAutism's Board changed from an operating committee who ran the organization to the strategic board it is today. As a Financial Planner and business owner of Equanimity Wealth Planning and Investing in Madison, Wisconsin, Carrie's success at YogAutism is in keeping with her history of successfully lifting non-profit Boards off the ground and on to being self-sufficient entities. Carrie, who herself is diagnosed with anxiety, understands and empathizes with those who share this experience. Carrie believes in the role YogAutism can play in anxiety reduction, among the many other benefits, which can lead to experiencing a higher quality of life which we all deserve. 

YogAutism thanks Kelly, Jody, Nanette, Diane, Carrie, and everyone who has given of themselves to help YogAutism succeed, for such dedication. We are grateful to each and every one of you.