Baby Yoga and Me
Having carried a sizable bump around for a very long, very hot summer, I really wasn't in the mood for a work out.
As Gwyneth Paltrow and all of my other coat-hanger thin celebrity peers snaked their way, all skin and bone about the tabloids, I scowled and knew that, even if the mood did ever take me as I sat covered in powered milk, I would just never have the time to get back in shape now that I always had my baby in toe. After all, its not as if I could balance Harry on the rowing machine as I made for the nearest treadmill ? I didn't think they'd like that down at the health club.
I did try the gym. Once. Inspired by Gwynnies size eight flat chestedness I did deposit Harry at my mums', and went for one swim amongst the well toned ? but my self-esteem could just not cut it. Having been a large pregnant woman and having had a difficult birth, my body was not as it should be, and I didn't stay for long. I'm sure no one cared about my having varicose veins now, but I did, and I suddenly felt very much like a mum, and nothing else.
Loosing faith in the idea that I'd ever have a waist again, I pooled my NCT friends to see if they had any tips on how to regain a good shape, without the embarrassment.
There was no way I was doing yoga. It turned out after speaking to the girls that they already had a fitness plan, and were meeting to go to some yoga class the following week. I'd only ever seen yoga on television, and I wouldn't have even considered trying it pre-Harry ? I was never that skinny and stealth. The women all looked like they hadn't eaten for at least five years, and there was no way I was ever learning how to be a 'delicate lotus' with all of the cellulite I'd accumulated now. I lied and told them I couldn't get a babysitter?
Turns out you can take your little ones to baby yoga. I was worried it would be new agey, but our first session soon dispelled all the worries I had about that. Friendly and chatty, the class was only for parents, and I met a whole gaggle of new local mums. We chatted about our babies, their first rolls, nappies and missing socks, and Harry played merrily with the other tots that were there ? something which really made me smile as he's an only child and I was worried that when it came to mixing with other babies he'd wouldn't cope. Turns out he's a bit of a socialite ? that's my boy!
A qualified baby yoga teacher, our leader, Sue, started us off with some very simple stretches, which were fine for any physical type. Her training with Birthlight means she knows exactly what our bodies have been through, and so nothing was too much. I was petrified that Harry would cry when it came to including him in the work out (the baby isn't put under any stress either by the way ? there's just lots of great, gentle skin to skin contact and muscle stimulation, no sun salutations just yet!) but he just smiled. It must feel good, after all, to have the shouty tired woman who's been harassing you for all this time give you some proper, physical warmth and lavish attention.
The stimulation that babies receive doing yoga releases endorphins in the brain, and so they clearly glow after a session, just as we do after a turn at the gym. It was great to know he felt so cared for.
As time went on, our classes did become more adventurous. The stretches we learned started to actively include our babies (they are fabulous weights!) and we all became far less inhibited, and felt happy to move onto the more complex movements.
To calm the babies, Sue introduced music into the classes, which soothed them no end ? in all the time I've been going now, I don't think we've ever had a baby have to be taken out for crying. After Harry's bath, I often do yoga with him at home now, and the heat of my hands and the slow, rhythmic nature of the movements send him to sleep with much greater ease than a simple cuddle and a song tape ever could. He started sleeping through the night months before a lot of other babies that we know, and I'm in no doubt that that has sonething to do with our yoga.
Being an enthusiast now, I've read up on the later benefits of what baby yoga can do and I'm excited. It's clear from the fact he rolled early that Harry has good spatial awareness, and plenty of confidence in what his body is capable of. When we took him for his eight-month check my health visitor told me he will miss out crawling stage ? his spine is strong, and having been made aware of the limitations of his body through yoga, he doesn't need to go through the exploration that crawling allows.
As well as the very evident physical benefits of baby yoga, it's also been a lifesaver for me. On maternity leave I was a bit of a lonely mum, and now I have something of a network. Size ten again and happy, there is never a morning goes by when Harry and I do not have a play date. It's turned things around. I think ill go down the gym tomorrow?
To find details of Baby Yoga activities in your area visit www.busylittleones.co.uk
Lucy Curran
 Google News Updated : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:51:03 GMT Singer Lisa Marie Presley gives birth to twins - The Associated Press
The Associated Press - LOS ANGELES (AP) - Lisa Marie Presley is a mom again. A publicist says the 40-year-old singer gave birth Tuesday to twin girls, whose names were not released. Lisa Marie Presley delivers twins: report Today's News: Our Take - Lisa Marie Presley Gives Birth to Twin Girls Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 02:11:28 GMT On the trail to the White House - Fort Worth Star Telegram
Fort Worth Star Telegram - Sen. Barack Obama, Democratic presidential nominee, at a rally in Philadelphia on Saturday. AP/ALEX BRANDON Today’s headlines Report stings Palin over troopergate flap; Raw anger showing up in McCain crowds, candidate taking steps to minimize it; ... McCain Asks Supporters to Show Obama Respect Obama Thanks McCain for Urging Supporters to be Respectful Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 05:17:46 GMT Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors - BusinessWeek BusinessWeek - By JENNIFER LOVEN and MARTIN CRUTSINGER President Bush and financial leaders from nations rich and poor pledged Saturday to intensify their efforts to unblock a frozen financial system before it does more damage to an increasingly shaky global economy. Bush Says US Must Take Lead in Solving Crisis (Update3) Bush, allies seek to calm jittery investors Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:30:21 GMT Theatrical Review of Body of Lies - DVDTOWN.com DVDTOWN.com - By Jason P. Vargo "Body of Lies" is a certain type of movie designed for a certain type of moviegoer. I think the tagline describes the movie perfectly, actually. Body of Lies 'Body of Lies': Desert Norm, By Kurt Loder Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:19:39 GMT Van driver's work in Mass. aided Nobel winners - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - HUNTSVILLE, Ala.—When two American scientists won a Nobel Prize this week in chemistry, the driver of a car dealership's courtesy van had reason to take special interest. Video: Nobel Chemistry Prize Goes for Jellyfish Protein  Comment by Jeremy M. Berg, Ph.D., Director National Institute of General Medical SciencesPubl.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:14:18 GMT McCain supporters face uphill climb in blue Jersey - Newsday
Newsday - By WAYNE PARRY | AP Writer WOODBRIDGE, NJ - Walter Zjawin is trying to help John McCain do what no Republican has done in 20 years: win a presidential general election in New Jersey. Maine now on McCain radar McCain inches closer in Saturday's Gallup Publ.Date : Sat, 11 Oct 2008 14:04:37 GMT Five killed in New York fire; 300 acres burn in Napa Valley - Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman - NEW YORK - A family of five, including three children, died in a blaze that filled an apartment with thick smoke and kept the victims from escaping through the front door, fire officials said. Napa County wildfire forces evacuations of over 100 homes Fire Threatens Napa Valley Homes and Wineries Publ.Date : Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:27:05 GMT Increase Website Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Baby boy invitations are the first thing you'll need to... Read More When bringing home your new baby, there are so many... Read More Baby Cribs are the feature item in any baby's nursery.... Read More For years, we have been taught that 13 is an... Read More The play has many more functions for toddlers than for... Read More A baby shower is a simple celebration of family and... Read More A new baby brings a lot of joy and hope... Read More Throwing a baby shower for grandma could be a great... Read More Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks... Read More Here are guidelines or quick baby shower tips for hosting... Read More Research has shown that babies in their mom's womb can... Read More Baby girl shower invitations basic theme is the welcoming of... Read More Helping your child move from breast breast milk or formula... Read More Baby in a highchair, mom in front with a small... Read More It is an unfortunate fact of life but, unfortunately, toddlers... Read More Congratulations! It is a great honour your friends have done... Read More Baby SoapAren't all soap the same, especially baby soap? Do... Read More When you're holding a baby shower one of the most... Read More Some things we take for granted. Like getting dressed. Unless... Read More The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is... Read More For ages caring parents have carried their babies with them... Read More Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest... Read More Your Capricorn Baby..December 23 - January 19Capricorn babies thrive on... Read More One of the most pleasant parties to plan has to... Read More Today one of the biggest trends in naming is choosing... Read More
Adsense
websites
How to Have the Perfect Baby Boy Invitations
Baby Safety Checklist - Protecting Your Baby
Important Safety and Styling Features of Baby Cribs
13 Donts on Child Safety
Guide to Choosing Toddler Toys
What to Do if the Baby Shower Guests Dont Know Each Other
A New Baby can be Expensive!
Honor Grandma with a Baby Shower for Grandma
Learning Activities For Your Baby
Quick Tips for a Successful Baby Shower
To Develop Your Childs Genius - Start with Your Unborn Baby
Baby Girl Shower Invitations
Tips and Tricks for Introducing Solids to Your Baby
How to Make Your Own Baby Food and Save a Fortune!
How To Stop Toddlers From Biting
Naming Ceremonies: Advice for First Time Godparents
Finding the Right Baby Soap for Your Babys Skin
A Baby Shower Cake is the Highlight of the Baby Shower
Dressing A Toddler, Whomever She Is Today
Family Baby Showers
Front Packs vs. Baby Back Packs
How to Choose a Baby Bathtub
The Personality Traits of a Capricorn Baby
Planning a Baby Shower? These Tips Make It Stress Free
Unique and Unusual Baby Names
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Have Fun Purchasing A Stroller For Your Baby
You are getting ready to welcome your baby into your... Read More
Baby Clipart for All Your Baby Shower Printing Needs
Baby clipart is the perfect accent to all of your... Read More
Babies Born During The Sign Of Gemini
Your Gemini Baby..May 21 - June 20Gemini children are lively... Read More
Babies Bring Love, Joy, and Opinions
The old saying "babies aren't born with instruction manuals" has... Read More
Baby Boy Clip Art to liven up your Baby Shower Cards
Loads of baby boy clip art images are available, once... Read More
Coping With Colic
A new baby with colic is one of the most... Read More
Triumphing Over Tantrums
Before you had kids you probably witnessed an out of... Read More
Preparing for New Baby or Traveling with Baby this Summer
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among... Read More
Make Your Own Baby Food - The Easy Way!
Is your baby about to start solid foods? Are you... Read More
Top 3 Must Have Books for Your Baby or Toddler
Reading is one of the most important things you will... Read More
Car Seats and Newborn Babies
I remember very clearly the first day we brought our... Read More
14 Steps To Reducing Your Infants Reflux
Many of the things listed below will help with your... Read More
Why Convertible Cribs Make Sense
Who doesn't love cool gadgets that morph into dozens of... Read More
Babies Suffering For Colic
About one quarter of babies will suffer from colic from... Read More
Best Baby Shower Invitation Ideas
The best baby shower invitation ideas help everyone to have... Read More
Teething Symptoms and How to Treat Them
Teething is what your baby experiences when her first set... Read More
Stem Cells Taken From A Babys Cord
Stem Cells..An increasing number of parents are storing stem cells... Read More
How to Pick the Best Name for Your Baby
Expectant parents spend hours preparing the nursery, poring over pregnancy... Read More
When To Move From Carseat To Booster
Under three, use a car seat. The guidelines for transporting... Read More
Important Car Seat Statistics
Installing a car seat correctly is the most important thing... Read More
What Foods Should I Avoid While Breastfeeding?
Women in our culture are sometimes advised to avoid spicy... Read More
Important Features to Consider When Buying a Baby Crib
With all the different features of baby cribs, it can... Read More
The Scoop on Giving Your Baby Juice
Many moms like to think that as soon as their... Read More
Baby Shower Party Decorations to Liven up Your Baby Shower
An excellent source of information providing the perfect baby shower... Read More
The Personality Traits Of A Taurus Baby
Your Taurus Baby..April 20 - May 20Taurus babies are usually... Read More
Babies & Toddler |