Our History

Close to two decades ago, long-time yogi and yoga instructor, past owner/founder of Mound Street Yoga Studio, and current Kinesiology PhD student, Scott Anderson, found he was being asked to help several of his student's autistic family members and friends lower their responses to outside stressors and stimuli. He noticed that many of his go-to poses and exercises were used consistently and in the same sequence. This was the founding of the 5-step method formerly known as Spectrum Yoga Therapy and now called YogAutism™. This sequence, when done in a specific way and in a specific order, unlocks the body's grip on the muscles that inhibit a full, diaphragmatic breath. When the body is able to take a full breath the vagus nerve is stimulated and reduces stress by telling the body it's safe to focus on other things with increased concentration. This aids in digestion, improves sleep, increases relaxation, and promotes the ability to be present.

In the beginning Scott's yoga studio began serving the autistic community by providing group sessions for students to be guided through "the Recipe" by a trained volunteer. In 2008 the non-profit was officially formed making it a formal 501(c)3 specifically set to serve the community by providing access to this practice. Over the years the model has changed to where we now provide one-to-one sessions with professionally trained individuals in addition to group classes, as well as group training on "the Recipe" to a larger audience than just potential volunteers.

Learn more about our founder, Scott Anderson, here.