The magic touch of baby yoga

After the euphoria surrounding a birth it is sometimes difficult to remember what it was like holding a new born baby for the first time. In societies other than our own touch has been recognised for centuries as being of vital importance in establishing a bond between parents and their young babies.

Many babies around the world are in constant contact with their mothers, nestled against their bodies in home made shawls and slings.

Its not surprising that touch should play such an important part in the first weeks and months of a baby's development. After all for nine months the baby has been used to constant contact through hearing the mother's heartbeat and voice, and by being gently rocked and cradled in the womb.

In western countries its become all too easy to forget the importance of touch given the very real pressures and demands of parenthood.

The huge choice of baby accessories on the market such as bouncy chairs and swings can create missed opportunities for parents and babies to share the experience of touch more frequently.

Baby yoga can help to redress the balance by providing a tactile activity which parent and baby can enjoy together. It provides the stimulation of touch, movement, and rhythm as well as the stillness of deep relaxation.

It compliments baby massage and indeed shares many of the same benefits promoting early bonding, improving sleep patterns and providing relaxation for both parent and baby.

Classes are usually held in groups and unlike baby massage takes place with the baby fully clothed. A typical baby yoga session would include simple stretches for both parent and babies, numerous songs incorporating yoga sequences for baby, basic massage strokes on the baby and relaxation for parent and baby to finish.

Although suitable for both parents the adult yoga component of the session is particularly appropriate for mothers as it aims to strengthen the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, promote good posture, and release muscle tension particularly in the neck and shoulders.

Baby yoga can also provide practical help with early parenthood. Some of the yoga sequences can help improve digestion and provide relief for colicky babies. It also offers different positions in which to hold and soothe babies and in doing so provides more options to try when settling a fractious baby.

More and more parents are experiencing for themselves the magic touch of baby yoga. For details of a class in your area contact the Cenacle Treatment Centre.