Anyone who has ever enjoyed a massage will testify to the physical and emotional ‘feel good’ factor experienced afterwards. However, this traditional touch therapy should not be confined to treating stressed out adults; it is a great way to avoid becoming stressed and tense in the first place. Babies and children are very receptive to massage and their physical and emotional growth and development can be enhanced by its use.

Touch is a basic human need and is slowly being accepted as such in our western society, as the benefits of massage become more widely recognised. Scientific studies support the view that babies need touch and close physical contact for their development, as much as they need good nutrition.

Dr Francoise Freedman is a medical anthropologist, yoga teacher and mother, who has spent many years studying the handling of babies and children in numerous cultures. Using her extensive knowledge, combined with experiences of her own four children, she has developed Birthlight baby yoga, which is now becoming internationally acclaimed, as she shares her techniques through the training of qualified Birthlight baby yoga and massage instructors.

Baby yoga is based on an expansion of the kind of infant massage that has existed in India for thousands of years. It offers quality physical stimulation, including flowing postures, holding, movement touch and voice. It enduces deep relaxation, allowing babies to sleep well and thrive. Mothers are able to rest and find their balance after giving birth. Through practising baby yoga together, parents enjoy a happy, carefree and lively interaction with their infants, which develops as they grow. Baby yoga and massage sessions are a brilliant way to compensate for the way babies are handled (or rather, not handled, in our culture). Many babies in our society spend a large period of time strapped into car seats, prams, rocking chairs etc and do not receive the constant mother to baby contact that their contempories in other societies enjoy.

Baby yoga is NOT a series of static poses and meditations! The classes work through a series of simple movements and stretches designed according to the baby’s age and natural development. Many of the sequences are combined with simple rhymes or songs, and the babies soon learn to recognise these and really enjoy their special playtime. It is also an opportunity for mothers, fathers and carers to stretch and exercise gently with their infants. The active phase of the session is both sociable and physical, leading to gentle winding down and relaxation.
Massage can be used in conjunction with the yoga session or as a separate activity.
The sequences and holds taught in class are easily transferable to any other environment, and are most useful for stimulating a bored baby or soothing fretfulness at home.
The classes also offer opportunities to meet other parents, participate in discussions about topical childcare issues, swap tips and feel supported.

BABY YOGA & MASSAGE

• gives the parent or carer a concrete, direct way to express love to the baby. It helps babies to be physically (and emotionally) confident, secure and supported.

• creates communication through direct multi-sensory contact .

• benefits the body’s vital organs, such as the heart and lungs, as well as the digestive and nervous systems.

• is particularly effective in preventing and easing common ailments of crying, colic and sleeplessness. Babies who are hyperactive or withdrawn also respond well to regular sessions.

• helps introduce parents and carers to new ways to hold and handle infants, in a relaxed and safe manner.

Above all, through spending regular time with your baby in a yoga/massage session, you develop a strong bond and a deeper insight into the way your baby feels and responds. By attending a weekly class, you put aside a special time which is just for you and your baby, away from the chores at home, the telephone and other distractions. It is a way to make time to enjoy each other’s company. It is pretty good fun too, and isn’t that the main thing?

Melanie Hamilton Davies.