My first taste of easing back into yoga after giving birth was with my daughter at a mum and baby yoga course in southwest London. In baby yoga classes the focus is, of course, very much on the babies but there are also some lovely yoga inspired stretches and breathwork for the mums too. These are aimed at activating the parasympathetic nervous system (our restful state) as well as bringing awareness and strength to the pelvic floor region.

Baby yoga is a combination of yoga asanas and linked movements specifically designed for a baby’s body. Alongside this there is plenty of sensory stimulation through lights and props, as well as singing to keep the babies entertained. The 45-minute classes are very physically active for babies, involving a lot of interaction with the parent and taking them through set routines each week (they learn through repetition).

Benefits for both baby and parent

I noticed my daughter often has a great lunchtime nap after baby yoga practice. This used to happen after a baby massage class too so it didn’t surprise me to learn they share many of the same benefits, including promoting restful sleep through active play. I asked my baby yoga teacher Sam, from Vital Cores in London, what the other main benefits of baby yoga are:

• Strengthening parent and baby bonding through interaction and touch
• Mobilising the baby’s hip and shoulder joints
• Activating and stimulating vestibular system (for their sense of balance)
• Strengthening the baby’s essential neck and core muscles
• Developing the baby’s language skills through singing
• Aiding digestion by relieving constipation and trapped wind
• Toning the baby’s digestive system

For me, another huge benefit to attending baby yoga classes is the social aspect of meeting other Mums and babies. It also helps add some more structure to the day and gives me something different to do with my baby. In the classes I attended, each week there was a different theme so even with set routines to follow it still felt new and entertaining.

Baby yoga is suitable for 12-week old babies until they are pre-walking. We started them when my daughter was around four months old and have continued to do so every week since. The classes are currently moved online due to social distancing measures and this has worked just as well, giving us more positive things to do from the home.

Having not been able to exercise or teach yoga throughout my pregnancy, the classes have been a really special way for me to reconnect and bring a bit of yoga joy back into my life. And it feels wonderful to share that with my daughter too.