Joint Yoga for Mom with a Baby

Yoga: mom and baby

Yoga is as beneficial for children as it is for adults. It provides physical and spiritual development from an early age. A special style, baby yoga, has been created for the youngest. It resembles massage and “baby gymnastics.” Mom and baby yoga is a great idea for maintaining physical and emotional well-being.

Mom and child

A newborn is dependent on the mom both physically and emotionally. Joint yoga with the child helps enhance the depth of interaction and strengthen the emotional bond.

Yoga from an early age develops the moral aspect of personality – non-violence. There is no aggression or coercion in classes. Movements are performed gently, smoothly, and freely.

Yoga promotes the development of the body and spirit. When practiced together, partners synchronize their breathing in one rhythm. This creates an even more trusting connection. The baby is still not separated from the mother. He feels calmer. Mother helps the child to learn about his capabilities and develop.

The older the child gets, the more he separates. Yoga helps maintain the connection. In classes, parents and children interact on equal terms, setting aside the standard roles of “parent-child.”

Benefits for Children

For the body:

• Improved flexibility.
• Increased strength.
• Formation of correct posture.
• Development of movement coordination.
• The body becomes more pliable.

Spiritual aspect:

• Proper energy distribution helps calm hyperactive children and invigorate introverted ones.
• Behavior becomes more balanced. The child learns to concentrate and maintain attention.
• The quality of sleep improves.
• A conscious approach to health, activities, and life increases (with age).

The body’s capabilities gradually unfold. This has a positive effect on self-esteem. It is formed in childhood. It is important to lay the foundation for harmonious personality development.

During joint activities, the mother also recovers after childbirth and tones her body.

Mom and baby yoga: limitations

Yoga, like any sport, has a number of contraindications:

• Fever, colds, and viral infections. Once the child recovers from illness, you can resume training.
• Chronic diseases. In this case, it is important to follow the doctor’s recommendations.
• High blood pressure.
• Menstrual days do not completely restrict girls. It is better to refrain from poses focused on the abdomen and pelvis.

Age Characteristics

Joint yoga for mother and baby can lead to independent practice. Each age requires its own training based on the capabilities of the “little one.” The load gradually increases to avoid overstrain and discouragement.

• At 2-3 years old, children are good at perceiving, remembering, and reproducing images. During workouts, it’s recommended to explain actions analogous to animal behavior – stretch like a cat, stand like a tree, sit like a frog. The poses naturally mimic these movements. Sometimes it is said that performing the poses develops qualities of these animals – flexibility of a cobra, grace of a cat.
• From 4 to 7 years old, a playful approach works well. It’s possible to move on to exercise complexes.
• By the age of 10-12, children can practice independently. At this age, they are able to focus on their feelings and sensations, tense and relax specific muscle groups, and monitor their breathing.

Yoga for mothers and children together does not always become a child’s hobby. Parental support is important for them. If yoga does not spark an interest, you can choose another engaging sport or art form.

On momslab.com, there is a blog with helpful articles, a 12-week postpartum recovery course, and a link to a free chat on Telegram.

Ksenia is a mother of two little ones. Her Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ksenia_vlasovaa/ – features many discussions and posts about childbirth, recovery, yoga, choosing a kindergarten, and more.