Sweat Pea Yoga
Itsy Bitsy Yoga For BABIES with a Parent/Caregiver
ages: newborn to pre-crawling
Itsy Bitsy Yoga is a calming and nurturing yoga practice filled with ways to enhance bonding and make babies happier and more comfortable in their bodies. This class contains dozens of unique yoga postures designed specifically to soothe and support the development of a baby's body. During the BABY Itsy Bitsy Yoga class, babies are mostly lying on their tummies, backs or in a parent's arms. For parents and caregivers, this class provides a special time to bond with and learn about your baby's emerging personality. Most of the yoga we do in Itsy Bitsy Yoga is for the child, but you will learn breathing and relaxation techniques and possibly practice some yoga yourself.
Sweet Pea's BABY Yoga classes are being offered online via livestream and for in-person events! As always, all classes require advance registration.
With or without yoga experience, Sweet Pea Yoga will teach poses and techniques from the Itsy Bitsy Yoga® program that:
- Promotes parent-child bonding in a relaxed environment.
- Improves your baby's digestion and helps her sleep longer and better.
- Calms a fussy or crying baby almost immediately using IBY Magic Poses™.
- Helps you to understand your child's developmental patterns.
- Encourages your child to develop a healthy body, a confident self-awareness, and a happy spirit.
- Fosters nurturing moments in and outside of class with special IBY Rhymes.
Benefits of Itsy Bitsy Yoga® for BABIES may include:
- Better and longer sleep.
- Improved digestion & ease of gas pains.
- Relief from fussiness and colic.
- Neuromuscular-development.
- Positive body image and increase self-confidence.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Better regulated emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yoga For Babies
- Is yoga safe for babies and tots?
According to pediatricians and nurses, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Itsy Bitsy Yoga® is safe, gentle and very effective when done with proper instruction. The parent is responsible for carrying out all of the baby's yoga movements until the baby can walk. In the more active Tots Yoga program (for almost-crawling babies up to 23 mos.), parents are there to support and assist their toddler into yoga poses whenever necessary. Parents can also enjoy the time practicing yoga poses, while letting their child imitate and explore yoga on her own two feet.
- How do I know which class is right for me--Baby or Tots Itsy Bitsy Yoga?
If your baby is not yet crawling (no matter what age) then s/he would probably enjoy the Baby class which is best suited to the developing bodies of non-mobile babies. If your baby is crawling (or seems ready to crawl in the next few weeks) you would be best suited for the Tots class. The Tots class is intended for mobile babies and tots. Please consider the duration of the session when selecting a class for your sweet pea. For example, if your baby is not crawling, but you suspect they will be mobile by the end of the next 6 or 8 week session, then consider registering for the Tots (mobile) class so you won’t need to switch levels mid-session.
- What if my baby cries during class?
Crying is one of the ways babies express themselves and vocalize their needs. Just take a breath, center yourself, and attend to your baby's needs. A wonderful benefit of the Itsy Bitsy Yoga program is that you will learn a number of the exclusive IBY "Magic Poses" which can literally calm crying in seconds when practiced with the right intensity.
- Is this an adult yoga class that incorporates the baby into the adult yoga postures?
No, actually Itsy Bitsy Yoga is a loving program designed for your little one's developing body. However, there is some adult movement in the Baby class and much more in the Tots and Tykes classes. In addition to learning the exclusive IBY poses, you will discover calming, breathing and relaxation techniques that will help you feel centered and re-charged but the majority of the poses are designed for the children.
- What if my baby is hungry during class?
We encourage you to attend to your baby's needs at any time during the class. This is an environment supportive to both breastfeeding and bottle feeding parents. Out of respect to the potential allergies of other parents or children, we request that you not bring solid foods into the classroom.
"The class helped me to read my baby's needs better; I learned to slow down with her; help her learn to calm herself."
~ Mom of a 3 month old baby
"Alexandra has a gentle, easy-going nature. She makes babies and mommies feel comfortable."
~ Mom of a 3 month old baby
"The class helped my baby with gas and longer naps. It helped us relax and have fun."
~ Mom of 4 month old baby
