What is baby yoga?
Baby yoga is practising yoga with your baby so it’s good for both of you. It helps to promote the health and general wellbeing of babies by using specific positions and movement to help with flexibility, improving muscle tone, co-ordination and relaxation. It is also a very gentle way for you to get back into exercise after having your baby.
What are the benefits of baby yoga?
Practising yoga with your baby is very beneficial for both you and your baby. As well as providing you with gentle exercise in order to relax and de-stress (absolutely necessary for new parents!), it gives you precious time together in a relaxed atmosphere, providing you with a safe way to interact with your baby. Gentle exercise, such as yoga, can help relieve symptoms of postnatal depression as endorphins (known as the happy hormone) are released in the brain. This is also a fantastic way to bond with your baby. It’s also great for strengthening the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor muscles which become weaker after giving birth. There are also medical benefits for your baby such as helping to relieve colic, trapped wind and constipation. A settled night’s sleep is another benefit of baby yoga. It is also extremely beneficial for your mental health. Getting out of the house, meeting and talking to people and doing something where you connect with your baby all have a positive boost on your mental health.
Is baby yoga safe?
Yes, baby yoga is safe as the positions and poses used have been adapted for babies and are very gentle and safe and enjoyable.
How soon after giving birth can I start baby yoga?
Some classes say you can start baby yoga after your check up with the doctor and you’ve had the all clear to exercise, usually at 6 weeks. Others say to wait until your baby can hold her head up on her own, usually about 3 months. Both are absolutely fine – the yoga moves are adapted to the age of the baby. The older they are, the more you will be able to do with them. It’s also a lovely thing for dad to do too and he can take baby as soon as he wants. This is a great way for dad to bond with the baby.
What should I wear?
You should wear something loose and comfortable that you can move in such as leggings, t shirts, jogging bottoms etc. It’s the same for your baby so a babygro is great for this. Your baby yoga class might include massage so you will need to take the babygro off so popping a vest underneath is a good idea.
You should also take a mat (if not provided) and a towel so that you have somewhere comfortable for your baby. It’s also a good idea to take some water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the class.
Give baby yoga a try. It’s good for your physical wellbeing, your mental wellbeing, spending time with your baby and meeting new people.
Find out more about our classes on offer at W Fitness, here.