Let’s start to have fun with our little ones…
The power of joy is an important part of any family and learning the power of play in your little one’s life is vital to help you through the more difficult times. When my daughter was about 3 months old, she started to be a lot more active and I wasn’t sure what play truly looked like with a young baby. That’s when I discovered baby yoga. Baby yoga can empower you to have fun and engaging positive interaction with your little one.
That isn’t the only benefit of baby yoga. The increased positive interaction can lead to you feeling more confident as a parent, especially as you come to recognise your baby’s cues. It can also help develop your baby’s development, such as through body, mind awareness and body coordination. There are also movements that can help alleviate trapped wind and constipation.
What is baby yoga?
Baby yoga is about drawing on the practices of yoga for parents to use with their babies. Although baby yoga is inspired by the moves of adult yoga it, however, is not the same. The idea is that the movements and stretches used in baby yoga is to promote positive development and well-being, and there is a strong focus on this as well as attachment and bonding, relaxation and through the use of nursery rhyme and song speech development. It can incorporate the following: gentle stretches and movements inspired by yoga, over clothes massage, sensory play, breathing techniques and songs and rhymes.
The baby yoga sessions offered by Believing Healthy Academy are created to be engaging, through using nursery rhymes, songs, and stories. We will have times focusing on our breathing, as well as ending with a time of sensory/ relaxation time. Sessions may also be tailored to focus on specific areas, in order to ensure that you and your baby get the most out of the sessions.
How it works…
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these classes right for me?
If you are wanting to take part in a class that gives you tips and tools to help grow your confidence in the fun you can have with your little one, as well as getting tips and tools on how to help with constipation, trapped wind and body awareness as well as more, then these are definitely classes for you!
The classes can begin after the 6-8 week postnatal check-up. They can go up to pre-walking age (about 12 months), usually when the world becomes too exciting to explore. But you can always continue to practice the skills learnt in the classes.
If you have any health concerns for you or for baby please speak to your GP, health visitor or other appropriate health professional before attending the class.
What is included in the sessions?
All the classes are baby-led and therefore each of the different courses will look slightly different as they are adapted to the group and the babies present.
Each week we will go on a different adventure together, exploring new and exciting worlds. They will involve a mixture of songs, nursery rhymes and stories. Each session will begin with some breathing techniques, choosing our intention for the session and end with a time of sensory relaxation.
Support will provided throughout all the classes, and questions are always welcome to enable you to practice. If you are taking part in a face-to-face or an online Zoom course there will also be opportunity for peer support. If an online course then there will also be opportunity for support through the course operator, Ashleigh.
What do I need to bring with me?
You and your baby are the most important things! Plus any of the usual baby equipment you might need when out and about.
There are mats provided on the floor but you will want to bring a baby blanket to wrap baby up at the end of the session and a towel for them to lie on during the session. As you will be on the floor it is recommended you dress comfortably and may wish to bring a pillow to sit on if you would like.
You may also like to bring a toy for your baby to play with on the mat. This can help them by having something familiar plus if they are getting restless it may help you to know that you have something for them to use if needs be.
You will also need to bring with you your health form if not submitted to believinghealthyacademy@gmail.com before the start of the class. The form can be accessed by emailing the above email address until further notice.
Don’t worry if you can’t get it to work as Ashleigh will have some forms printed off for you to fill in before the class begins.
If there is anything we need to consider to make this class more accessible to you please email: believinghealthyacademy@gmail.com
Together we can hopefully come up with the appropriate adjustments in order to make this a safe place for you and your baby to learn.
How long are the sessions?
The sessions are usually about 40-50 minutes in length although there is the opportunity to chat for 10 minutes after the class. This seems to be the optimum length of time to keep babies engaged in the massage, without this becoming a struggle for you. The class will begin with a time of familiarising you with the class and warm up before a story adventure. The class ends with some time of relaxation, but don’t worry if baby makes any noise during this time.
The length of course will depend on the course you are taking part in. In general a face-to-face course will last 6 weeks. Each week is a stand alone session so you more than welcome to dip in and out but you will get the most of you can come to more than one session in a row as you will become more confident in the moves.
What do the sessions cost?
The sessions vary in price dependent on the course you choose to take. To get a full list of the pricing click on the book now link and select the course to find out pricing. Or contact: believinghealthyacademy@gmail.com
If you are wanting a one-to-one course then these courses run at £45 for a 5 week course. To find out more please contact Ashleigh on: believinghealthyacademy@gmail.com
What if my baby is tired/ hungry/ needs changing during the class?
Do not worry firstly! Adventuring Babies is completely baby led and so if baby needs a moment to be just held by you or has another immediate need then please do just that. You are more than welcome to just sit within the group and listen to what we are doing and join in as you can. Babies are unpredictable and Ashleigh has experience of managing this.
If your baby has had their injections then it is best to wait 24-48 hours after before carrying out any baby yoga. After that time it is best to avoid the site for the next week.
If your baby is ill on the day of the Adventuring Babies class, it is best not to carry through with baby yoga until your baby is feeling better.
What is baby yoga?
Baby yoga is about drawing on the practices of yoga for parents to use with their babies. Although baby yoga is inspired by the moves of adult yoga it, however, is not the same. The idea is that the movements and stretches used in baby yoga is to promote positive development and well-being, and there is a strong focus on this as well as attachment and bonding, relaxation and through the use of nursery rhyme and song speech development. It can incorporate the following: gentle stretches and movements inspired by yoga, over clothes massage, sensory play, breathing techniques and songs and rhymes.
What are the benefits to baby massage?
The main benefits of baby yoga come from the connection it can make between a parent and an infant through fun. It is through this deeper connection that a parent can learn to assess a baby’s cues better, and have better handling of the baby. This ultimately creates a confidence in parents that can help them to cope much better during the more difficult times of parenthood.
In regards to the developmental benefits, these can include, alleviating trapped wind, soothe colic and alleviate constipation, as well help the development of mind and body awareness. It can also aid flexibility and muscle development. There is also the potential benefit of improved sleep quality.
How do I book the class?
To book a group class all you need to do is click on one of the many Book Here Now buttons on this page to find out when the next class is available. If you would like a one-to-one course you need to contact Ashleigh directly on: believinghealthyacademy@gmail.com
Upon booking you will be required to accept the Terms and Conditions, as well as make a payment. Your place on the class will not be secured until all of these are completed but please do contact me if any concerns. A form is required before you can join in the class but this can be completed on the day, just arrive 5 mins early if possible. The form will ask some health questions both about you and your baby just to ensure that the class is appropriate for you.
If you have any health concerns for you or for baby please speak to your GP, health visitor or other appropriate health professional before attending the class.
What about COVID-19?
All classes run during the COVID-19 pandemic will be run in accordance with government guidance and will be risk-assessed to reflect this. The Terms and Conditions for the class will explain the procedure needed for any particular given class.
If for any reason a class does not go ahead face-to-face, the class will be moved online. If for any reason you cannot make the class, such as due to self-isolation or lockdown in your area, then you may be able to join a later course, although this is at Believing Healthy Academy’s discretion.
Testimonials
Terms and conditions to any of the courses can be found here or click link above.
Further Queries
If you have any further queries, then please do fill in the form below and Ashleigh will be in touch with you as soon as possible.
And don’t forget….
….to join our social media:
Believing Healthy Academy 