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After I had my son Jaia 5 years ago I remember those long nights staring at him as he nursed and cuddled in my arms. Skin-to-skin, eye-to-eye, soul-to-soul. He came everywhere with me. I now have 3 kids and unfortunately those one-on-one moments are not as abundant. My mom used to say “When you have more than one kid your heart will grow in size. The heart won't need to be “divided” amongst your children, it just grows bigger!”. My heart is much bigger but my “time” is cut in half, or even thirds. Sometimes the days feel like a whirlwind of chaos and my job is to keep everyone alive, fed and happy and my “big” heart is craving moments of stillness and connection. Therefore making time for bonding and connection is something I strive for each day. Whether it is just a few minutes of sitting, connecting and cuddling one of my kids…individually. Or, setting time aside for solo-dates with each kid. We are a family of 5 now and we do plenty of family activities, all together laughing and bonding. But the kids (and I) need those moments of one-on-one connection. Especially in today’s world- computers, smart phones, media… Sometimes I look around my small town and see parents texting and missing out on those “moments” of connection. Honestly, that is a whole other article I can write! We all see it. Parenting is changing. There are more distractions in our culture. So, how can we make time to bond? Put down the phone. Look into your baby’s eyes. Watch and study your baby. Interact. If you live in a whirlwind of chaos like I do…make time to connect. Try baby yoga! You can practice at home or go to a group class. Every day make time to have one-on-one connection. Baby yoga is just a start. Continue the practice of connection off the mat!
I find it intriguing that the Sanskrit word yoga translates to “unite, join or attach”. Traditionally, when one thinks of yoga they think of joining the mind, body and spirit. We not only join our mind, body and spirit within our own vessel, we join with the spirit of our child energetically. We join with our baby physically through touch, hugs, cuddles, and movement. We join with our baby mentally as we observe, understand and react. Yoga facilitates this deeper union between parent and child. It is especially beneficial to practice Parent and Baby Yoga in the first year of life to help with bonding, development of brain, muscles (fine and gross), language and the emotions. The earlier postpartum period (0-4months) is nicknamed by many pediatricians as the “4th trimester”. Your infant still needs and wants to be close to you, to hear your heart and breath, to feel your warm embrace and loving hugs.
When we practice Parent and Baby Yoga in a group setting we “unite” in community, in friendship and in motherhood. In-group classes, the babies meet other babies and bond, mom’s bond with other mom’s. We join in friendship. Playdates are set up and presto…best friends are created! In fact many of my students have set up playgroups with their yoga classmates. They also set up “sitter swap” date nights. Our yoga classmates become our extended New Mexico Family! We grow roots together. CONNECTION with baby and beyond.
If you feel comfortable practicing yoga at home with your baby then try some of my favorite yoga exercises listed below! These are tricks I’ve learned though 10 years of teaching baby yoga and through mothering my own kids.
Before we have fun lets discuss the rules of Sphere Mama’s Parent and Baby Yoga:
- Listen to your body. It is wise to consult your OB or midwife before starting any form of exercise. Most recommend waiting 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and 8 weeks after a cesarean birth.
- Observe your baby. If any of the exercises cause baby to tense up, fuss, or show any signs other than happy bliss you may need to stop, slow down and think about skipping that exercise.
- Communicate with baby throughout your practice. For example say “May I pick you up now?”, or “up”. This helps to show respect and also foster receptive and expressive language skills.
- Honor your baby. Your baby’s needs are priority. Feed, change, cuddle baby as needed. Never force a baby through a home or group practice. Take breaks as needed.
- Honor yourself. Trust your instinct.
Oh, and don’t give up if your first home or group Parent and Baby yoga class is not what you were expecting! It takes a few classes to get into the swing of things.
Beginning a Practice
- Sit comfortably with baby in your arms. Sing a soft song or mantra to cue baby this is the beginning of practice.
-I like to chant “OM” softly three times at the beginning of every group class. Babies love it!
The mantra “OM” translates to the sound of creation; everything that was, is and shall be. Chanting “OM” also resets our energy to a neutral. It lifts up our sluggish nature and calms down our hyper nature. Since we are working with little emotional babies that fluctuate though their ups and downs quickly AND since our babies are creation at it’s best, OM just seems like the perfect start to a wonderful yoga practice!
When my kids would cry in the car, I would chant “OM” from the drivers seat. They would instantly stop crying. It worked like a charm.
Parent and Baby Yoga for bonding
-Hold your baby at your chest, heart to heart.
-Tuck you chin over the baby’s head
-Wrap your arms around baby
-Sit with your legs up around baby’s bottom
-Take deep long breaths or sing/hum to baby
For baby, this exercise resembles the womb. Your body is surrounding baby. She can hear your breath and the beat of your heart. It is very calming for the baby’s nervous system. Helps to regulate baby’s body temperature and is great one-on-one cuddle time! Use this time to practice your Ujjayi breath. This will help calm you as well as baby.
Use this technique in any over-stimulating situations outside of yoga too.
Rest is essential for both parent and baby. In a society that is always “on the go” one of the best things we can teach our children is to slow down, rest as needed and let go of stress.
Namaste, Christa
Christa Tyson, E-RYT, E-RPYT, CLC, Doula, CCE, is mother to Jaia (5yrs), Ahma (3yrs) & Aven (5 mo.) She teaches Parent and Baby yoga classes at Lena Street Lofts (Studio E2) in Santa Fe. Her classes are on Saturday’s from 11-11:45am with time for chatting afterwards. To learn more visit her website at www.SphereMama.com, where you will find coupons for free classes.
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