• The origins of yoga are found in ancient history and it has been commonly practiced throughout the world for centuries.
• Baby yoga is a fairly new practice, it includes simplified Hatha yoga, coupled with rhythmical, more energetic movements that can be likened to Ashtanga yoga. Therefore, it can be active and dynamic, and relaxing and calming, which offers stimulation for babies when they wish to play and then relaxation as they quieten and calm. This helps to maintain the baby’s interest and so both parent and baby can have fun together.
• Babies developing bodies are flexible and just like adults, they too can benefit from and enjoy stimulating touch, movements and the deep relaxation that yoga offers.
• It is important that a baby has the opportunity to experience the world from many different dimensions, including facing forwards, backwards, upwards and downwards. They need to be able to move (or be moved) round in circles, up and down, from side to side, as well as backwards and forwards. All of these dimensions can be found in the yoga routine. Baby yoga exercises include cross-lateral movements, which are important for helping with a baby’s general brain development.
• Giving a baby the ability to move freely supports the development of the postural reflexes and subsequently helps to inhibit the primitive ones.
• Baby yoga allows parents to be involved in this process, as the exercises they carry out with their baby are designed to support the development of balance and co-ordination. The more the baby moves, the easier it is for them to control their movements.

Benefits of Baby Yoga

Physical

• In a baby yoga session, a baby partakes in lots of physical activity with their parent, which helps them sleep more deeply and improve their sleeping patterns, generally.
• Baby’s behaviour will be more settled as Baby Yoga should be very relaxing for both parent and baby.
• It provides a daily routine of activity through which parents can engage constructively with their baby from birth.
• Strengthening the physical body, improving digestion and relief from Colic.
• Provides balance and harmony of the body systems.
• Helps babies to move from reflex to voluntary movements.
• Stimulation of all the senses.
• A celebration of the individuality of each baby.

Psychological

• Enhances communication between parent and baby.
• Yoga helps to heal any birth trauma; your baby will also be better equipped to deal with shocks after gentle yoga.
• Using Yoga to reduce stress and enhance enjoyment will increase a baby’s ability to cope with future challenges.
• Through the high quality of attention a baby receives from the parent and the two-way interaction, a baby learns to play actively and interact with others.
• The deep relaxation and breathing techniques that are part of yoga help parents cope with the stresses of early parenting.