The yoga provided at Little happy humans is based on Hatha yoga which focuses on posture and breathing techniques, traditionally to channel vital energy sources.
Babies are already natural yoga students:
Like yogis, babies prefer to breathe through the nose
like yogis, babies are only concerned with the present moment
like yogism babies love unconditionally
like yogis, babies practice non-violence
like yogis, babies practice yoga postures naturally as part of development
(Helen Garabedian Author Itsy bitsy yoga)
Aside from the all-important relaxed bonding time, a Little happy humans yoga session includes gentle massage, rhythmic movements and stretching, and lovely nursery rhymes to keep the sequences flowing. It's a low-key session with constant physical contact and lots of smiling and giggling.
Baby yoga has many benefits for your baby:
Helps to relieve the effects of colic, constipation and wind
Stimulates all a baby's major systems; co-ordination, respiration, digestion, learning ability and language development.
Improves relaxation, encouraging longer sleep duration for infants
Strengthens their bodies and develops reflexes
Provides a great social environment for mother or father and baby (babies love looking at other babies!)
Baby yoga is a whole-body experience that can result in a happier little human who sleeps more easily and can be more contented.
I loved attending baby yoga with both of my daughters. When I signed up after doing baby massage, I didn't really know what to expect, all I knew is I wanted to keep coming to the class with my lovely mum friends and I was so glad I did. (Not to mention the class was about 5 miles away via the motorway and baby always slept the whole way home via McDonalds drive thru coffee!)
Its also important to note that this is not a 'mum and baby yoga' class, in that the moves are designed for babies rather than the parents. I would recommend dressing both you and your little one in comfortable clothes as there are only a few parent moves, but mostly baby! There is no 'downward dog' but instead we have moves such as 'baby bridge and 'toes to nose'.
What age does my baby need to be for baby yoga?
Little happy humans' classes are from 8 weeks until they are crawling. Once they are crawling or completed yoga classes there may be an option for advanced baby yoga classes. In the weekly 45- to 60-minute session, parents and caregivers are guided through a few moves, and I will show you the movements and positions No previous experience for you or your little one is needed.
All the classes are completely baby led.
What that means is we only do yoga with babies who want to actively engage in yoga. By following your baby's response to yoga, we are showing our baby that we can respond to their needs and this aids in bonding and trust. It is important that during classes parents interact with their little one throughout the yoga routine, talking, singing, smiling and making eye contact.
We go slowly through the moves and are gentle on any joints or muscles. Sing along with the songs to pace yourself and stay centered on you and your baby. Movements are always gentle and controlled and aimed at your babies age group.
Baby yoga is in no way competitive, so we don't hyper-extend any legs or arms. Expect about 20 minutes of exercise for the littlest ones, with frequent breaks for explanations and sharing. Those breaks are important for preventing exhaustion and injury. We then progress the class to some sensory play, then a focus on relaxation followed by a hot cuppa for parents and a bun. Most of all my classes are about having fun with your baby in a warm friendly environment.
If you have any concerns or questions about baby yoga, please feel free to email contact@littlehappyhumans.co.uk or send a message via Facebook or Instagram
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