In recent years, young mothers after successfully completed the endeavor as soon as possible to start moving, and not to lie in bed. This, of course, leads to an increase in the activity of newborns. But, despite the modern rhythm of life, both mothers and babies need to combine any activity with a full rest. The first movement of yoga is aimed at providing a rational balance of life for both parents and the child after birth.
Yoga will help to adapt quickly to the baby and prepare the body for a fully functional life: stretch the spine out of the bent embryonic position, learn to hold the neck, strengthen the muscles. Exercises on the stretching of the extremities will help the child to "open" the femoral, brachial, knee and elbow joints.
The scheme of engaging with the child includes all the components of classical yoga: the formation of the goal, warm-up before stretching, postures and movements that stimulate the basic organs and systems and strengthen the muscles, and, in conclusion, deep relaxation and perhaps meditation.
Length of lessons
Sequential change of poses and movements should occur every ten minutes, although you may want to stay in a state of relaxation much longer. In the course of your daily activities with the child, you will feel how yoga will become an integral part of your normal day, she will begin to make adjustments to your usual life, influencing how you hold and carry the child, stand up and sit with him in your arms and in general your communication with the baby .
Time for classes
It is recommended to conduct the main lesson in the evening, especially if the child behaves excessively active and restless at the end of the day. The combination of the basic exercises with massage and bathing will lead to a genteel pleasant fatigue of the baby, which will promote a deeper night sleep. If the child's biorhythms are such that he, on the contrary, is capricious and tired in the evening, becoming sluggish, yoga is advisable to start his day. The peculiarity of the morning exercises is a powerful charge of vivacity and a mass of positive energy received the whole day from the basic complex of exercises conducted at the beginning of the day.
Place for lessons
Yoga with babies can be practiced wherever you like. Ideally organize a special "corner of yoga" in the house: put the mat on the floor or on a low couch, prepare a pair of pillows. All this is better to place next to the free area of the wall, about which you can push and stretch.
The changing table is also suitable for yoga if it suits you high (when you do not need to tilt the body to the child). If you prefer to sit on a chair, you can practice yoga by putting the child on the table in front of you and setting your seat to the required height.
The most important thing in preparing for the initial classes is providing comfort and comfort for you and the baby.
Start of classes
When you are engaged in yoga with an infant, the right setting is very important. Do not force yourself if there is no desire to be engaged, and do not force the child to perform movements in which you yourself do not want to participate. Since the emotional exchange between you and the child at the initial stage of the session is extremely important, it is better to wait until you begin to feel better. Later, when you will have more experience, you will learn how to use yoga as a cradle to enter the "expanding spiral of joy"; it does not matter what your initial mood is.
Even if you are ready, the child may not want to study. If he is crying or seems dissatisfied, wait and try to understand him.
Undressing a baby for yoga is optional, although when warmth, lack of shy clothes will provide him more comfort and pleasure. Let the baby's skin breathe. Try to always leave the child's legs barefoot not only because it is more convenient for them to hold, but also because of the additional massage effect of the feet.
Poses for classes
Since the newborn needs the closest possible contact with you, during the first classes it is better to keep the child on his lap. He will feel confident and be just at that distance about you, so that his senses are in close physical contact with you.
First of all, you both should be comfortable. Make sure you have a support for your back, no matter if you are sitting in bed or in a chair. If you prefer to sit without support, make sure that you can sit straight without tension and deep breathing.
Use pillows of different sizes to take the most comfortable pose. The legs can be bent or stretched, but so that the energy is concentrated in the pelvic area. In addition, your neck should be free from stress. For the first lesson, select one of the poses below. Any of them has a beneficial effect on your well-being by healing the spine, so this exercise is intended for you.
- Your back is straight (with or without support), legs stretched in a horizontal position. The child lies face to you along your thighs or between your legs.
- The back is supported by the support at an angle of about 30 degrees, the knees are bent at right angles. The child lies on your hips, his head is higher than the legs.
Taking one of these poses, pay attention to the spine, the muscles of the back and neck. Keep your back as straight as possible and feel how deep free breathing uses your abdominal muscles.
The second pose, where the child lies on your hips under the slope, allows you to keep his head in the best position for eye contact with you.
Grow healthy!