Feeling wiped out? It’s ok, because this week the workout is all about baby. Now, if I can only figure out a way to get my baby to gain the weight I want to lose. ~Rebecca
By Natalie Kerr
Yoga can be intimidating. I sometimes feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz shouting, “Sun Salutations, Warrior and Downward dog, OH MY!” The complex movements and the image of myself caught dangling in the poses is enough to strike fear in my heart. After I stop summoning the Cowardly Lion, however, and finally stop worrying about how my imperfect body will fall into perfect alignment, I feel awakened emotionally and physically by yoga.
Now picture your baby enjoying the same yoga experience. Did you just conjure up an image of your infant in downward dog pose? Don’t worry, baby yoga is simply about enhancing your baby’s pleasurable sensations through voice, eye contact and movement. Today I can safely say that my baby is a Yogi through constant practice of daily massage and flexibility techniques. And we always end our yoga workouts with relaxation to ensure baby knows that activity and relaxation complement each other. I have attached a sample baby yogi session so you and your baby can enjoy the gifts of the Yogi, too.
Baby Yogi Workout
Baby Massage: Perform a series of 10 counts/reps for each exercise
1. Baby’s feet: squeeze each toe and stroke soles of feet with thumb.
2. Draw heart-shape strokes on the chest.
3. Stroke entire face (over eyebrows, around cheeks and down nose) with thumb.
4. Gently stroke with your palm from shoulder to tailbone on the baby’s back.
Hips don’t lie: series of 10 counts/reps for each exercise
1. Knee Bends: gently press baby’s soft knees to stomach by holding baby’s feet.
2. Half lotus: take each foot to opposite hip or armpit.
3. Butterfly: ith babies soles together press feet towards groin and release and straighten.
4. Leg lifts: take each foot and hand lift for two counts and drop softly and under control with light hand grasp.
Twists of joy: series of 10 counts/reps for each exercise.
1. Back twist: with baby’s knees folded to one side stroke with fingers towards baby’s opposite shoulder
2. Arm and leg crunch: Bring baby’s opposite arm and leg together and open slowly.
3. Arm/leg circles: hold baby’s opposite arm and leg and stretch diagonally and then circle 10 times gently, switch.
I hope your baby enjoys this yoga workout. And please remember to have fun with baby yoga through singing or talking through the poses with your baby. The benefits are endless from the development of supple joints to restful sleep for your little one. The goal of your baby becoming a Yogi and of yoga itself is to “open the heart and quiet the mind.”
Namaste
Natalie Kerr has been a Can-fit Pro personal trainer for 10 years, a Zumba and LMI BodyPump fitness instructor for 4 years and a Fitness Club Manager for 6 years. She is also a new mom. Nat will be monitoring the comment fields if you have any questions or you can contact her directly at fit_maven@yahoo.ca.