Baby Massage
Baby Yoga
Jiggle & Jam

What is Baby Yoga?

Baby Yoga is an interpretation of the principles and practice of Hatha Yoga - the most popular form of Yoga practiced in the Western world. Just like Baby Massage, Baby Yoga has been practised in areas of the world such as India for centuries!

Baby Yoga is not postnatal yoga, but yoga for babies! It involves adapting Hatha Yoga postures (asanas) so that they are suitable for young babies. This enables babies to experience the same wealth of benefits that yoga offers adults. Babies are 'natural born yogis' because they move and breath without tension or restriction - when was the last time you managed to reach your foot to your mouth?!

One theory is that postures in adult yoga practice are based on the natural, unrestricted movement of babies and toddlers. By introducing your baby to this, you can help them to retain their freedom of movement - and share in the fun & joy this gives them.

Baby Yoga also draws inspiration from Ashtanga Yoga in the form of dynamic movement - relaxed holds with movement - that allow you to safely swing and move your baby while standing, walking or lying.

Another vital element of holistic yoga practice is pranayama - breathing techniques that enable you to balance, re-energise and relax. Although it is you - not your baby! - practising these techniques in the class, your baby picks up on & therefore share the subtle benefits that these breathing techniques bring about in you.

N.B. Because the course focuses on yoga for your baby, with only simple postnatal postures, stretches & breathing for you, no previous yoga experience is necessary.

In one baby yoga session, your baby is given as much physical activity as they would receive if you handled and carried them all day. This helps your baby become more settled, sleep more deeply & can improve sleep patterns.

Baby yoga also stimulates your baby's vestibular (balance) system, helping them to master skills such as sitting and crawling - and allows your baby to experience different positions - such as 'tummy time' - in a fun way!

It also improves digestion, relieves colic, strengthens your baby's body & helps them move from reflex to voluntary movements.

Baby yoga also celebrates the individual personality of your baby, strengthening your bond & helping you get to know each other in a new way! Each class provides the time & space to give high quality attention to your baby, while they learn to interact with others and play actively.

Most of all, Baby Yoga is loads of fun! Babies relish the freedom of movement of the postures, swings, 'mini-drops' and relaxed holds. As well as being fun, these are brilliant for developing your baby's balance & co-ordination as they experience the world from all different directions!

Baby Yoga also provides the perfect 'counter-balance' to the busy-ness of modern life, where the use of car seats, bouncy chairs and buggies can mean babies often spend periods of time in one position.

Our postnatal stretches and relaxation & breathing techniques also help you cope with the stresses of early parenting & boost your energy levels.

What other mums say...

'Thank you for running such a great baby yoga class. Mia has now learnt the moves and the rhymes and starts giggling and gurgling when I ask if she wants to do some baby yoga. We now do yoga together most mornings because Mia enjoys it so much. The best bit for me is that yoga tires her out enough to go down for a two hour nap at lunchtime!'(Susie, mum to Mia)

Although babies & children of all ages benefit hugely from yoga, Vie Health's 4-week Baby Yoga course is suitable for babies aged 12 weeks to 9 months
If your baby is younger, why not book onto one of our Baby Massage courses instead? As well as offering a wealth of benefits, our Baby Massage course is a great way to prepare your baby for enjoying Baby Yoga when they are a bit older & includes a 'taster' of gentle baby yoga postures.

Our Baby Yoga course is designed as the perfect follow-on to our Baby Massage course, so if you are interested in both courses, it's a good idea to come to Baby Massage first. Don't forget, if you book both courses together, you get 10% off!

If your baby is older than 9 months, why not come along to our Jiggle & Jam music & movement classes, which includes some baby yoga postures & holds.

Over 4 weekly classes you will learn a range of postures from gentle stretches to dynamic swings and relaxed holds.

Each week, different postures are added or adapted to enable your baby - and you! - to get used to the experience of baby yoga gradually.

The baby postures are always performed within your baby's range of resistance, as every baby is different and their flexibility varies at different ages. Each week your baby will become more comfortable with each posture and this will enable you to become braver and more confident in performing them together!

The course also includes postnatal stretches, breathing and relaxation, safety tips, songs and rhymes, plus handouts - including descriptions and pictures of each posture to enable you and your baby to enjoy Baby Yoga together at home.

All classes are baby-led and relaxed - emergency nappy-changing and grizzly days are both expected and welcomed!

When & Where?

We currently hold courses on Wednesdays at 2.30pm in SW19 at the South Wimbledon Community Centre, Haydons Rd, SW19 1HL. Courses consist of 4 one-hour classes. Cost £60. Bookings are now being taken for the following courses:

OCT 2010: This course will start on Wed 6 Oct 2010 with classes on WEDNESDAYS at 2.30pm on 6, 13, 27 Oct & 3 Nov (N.B. NO CLASS on Wed 20 Oct)
BOOK NOW for last few spaces!

NOV 2010: This course will start on Wed 10 Nov 2010 with classes on WEDNESDAYS at 2.30pm on 10, 17, 24 Nov & 1 Dec.

JAN 2011: This course will start on Wed 5 Jan 2011 with classes on WEDNESDAYS at 2.30pm on 5, 12, 19, 26 Jan.

FEB 2011: This course will start on Wed 2 Feb 2011 with classes on WEDNESDAYS at 2.30pm on 2, 9, 16, 23 Feb.

GROUP DISCOUNT: Book together with at least 3 other friends & you will all receive a 10% discount. Conditions apply - contact Vie Health for details

For info on prices, booking details and venues of ALL Baby Yoga courses, click here