You don’t have to stop doing the things you enjoy just because you became a parent. In fact, it indicates that you now have a smaller version of yourself with whom you can interact and benefit. A lot of yoga-practicing parents end up pushing their yoga practice to the side or cutting it short.
Body alignment in yoga
Given their smaller stature and center of gravity, babies are not able to perform asanas such as Sirsasana (headstand) or Matsyendrasana (spinal twist). However, they are able to work on their body alignment by performing Child’s Pose or Balasana (Child’s Pose) which help release pent-up tension in the body, calming anxiety and promoting restful sleep.
Intention: Yoga doesn’t have a set goal, but it does aim for a state of mind where the individual is more aware of themselves, recognizes the present moment for what it is, becomes more compassionate towards others, and develops an overall sense of well-being. It’s quite possible that by practicing yoga with your child.
What is yoga anyway?
Yoga is a practice of various physical and mental exercises which originated around 500 BC in India. These exercises are done with the help of props such as mats, blocks, belts, and blankets.
In this section, we will talk about Yoga with Baby. This is where a baby practices yoga as well with their parents as they do the poses together to promote bonding for the baby and their parents or caregivers.
-promotes bonding between parent or caregiver and child
There are many benefits to doing Yoga with Babies for both the child and the parent or caregiver. Some of these benefits include the following:
-increases the bond between parent or caregiver to self
-lowers stress levels
-reduces depression
Yoga with young children is very beneficial for both children and mothers.
Here are my top tips to navigate yoga with a child:
- Go in with realistic expectations. In my first class, my goal was simply to get there. After we made it through the entire class I was thrilled. But things happen – babies cluster feed, need to be changed, want to leave, etc. Celebrate the small victories and remember that you can always come back another day and try again.
- Wait until your baby is 3-4 months old. You want to make sure your baby has strong neck and head control. I was that new mom that asked my son’s pediatrician if he was ready to try yoga with me.
- Try to feed your baby before class, but if the timing doesn’t work out, you can always step aside to feed.
- Pack extra clothes, feeding supplies and a few toys. You never know when they may come in handy.
- Be open to meeting new moms. Being a new parent is isolating and lonely and getting out of the house can do wonders for your social well-being. After my son’s yoga class, some moms would go grab a coffee and chat after class – that was definitely my favorite part.
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