Bending from the Bump – and BeyondIt’s splashed across glossies and waxed lyrical by bendy celebs. But have we really considered what part yoga could play in all of our lives, asks Naomi Bradshaw, BSC (Health Sciences), DipDY. |
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Yoga is an ancient practice originating from India, a combination of movements, postures, breathing and relaxation techniques to tone, strengthen, focus, balance, relax and find inner peace. Traditionally practiced throughout life in India, it is only relatively recently that Western society has embraced its benefits whole-heartedly – and we now enjoy its techniques in every stage of life from bump to the elderly.
The Foetal Position Yoga is considered one of the more safe forms of exercise during pregnancy, and is recommended by doctors, obstetricians and midwives. It offers nothing but benefit, including stress reduction and helping to maintain healthy blood pressure, and it tones and stretches muscles, supporting joints and maintaining flexibility. Besides, it’s an opportunity for mothers to take time out of their hectic lives.
Obviously, the very nature of pregnancy restricts movement, but Yoga can be practiced up to the day of baby’s arrival. Most pregnancy yoga classes offer a range of different movements suitable for each stage of pregnancy – because what is possible at 18 weeks can be completely impossible at 35! In addition to the postures and sequences participants learn specific breathing and relaxation techniques invaluable during pregnancy and labour, and in the often-stressful moments with a newborn! Which brings us nicely onto Baby Yoga.
Little Movers What? I hear you cry. How on earth can a baby do yoga? Well, in a baby yoga class yogic techniques have been modified to enable parents and carers to perform movements that aid baby’s digestion, neurological development, physical strength and improve sleep patterns (now, you’re listening!). It also provides an environment for adult and baby to bond. Nursery rhymes are sung to accompany certain movements and that gives the babies cues they can recognise from a surprisingly young age. And some postures involve the mothers’ participation too, which strengthens core muscles after delivery.
Baby Yoga is suitable from birth until crawling, which is when most babies begin to instinctively include yoga postures in their everyday movements. Their innate flexibility allows them to perform feats of a rubber-like quality (and if we were truly honest we’d admit to a tinge of jealousy there – who doesn’t want to be able to suck their own toes!).
Stretching Out to Kids Beyond baby yoga, when little ones drop their infantile features and rolls of fat, start to chatter and totter, we are rescued by children’s yoga and its amazing effects.
It is an unfortunate reality that the modern lifestyle of the average 5-year old can lead to bad posture, poor digestion, weak core muscles and unhealthy sleep patterns. The effects of ‘stranger danger’, increased technology for children and tailor-made TV, means that the majority don’t get the level of activity they need. Old news, you might say; but yoga offers kids a real solution to keeping the balance.
It can be practiced anywhere, and with no need for equipment; and there are many books, games and DVDs on the market to guide you through the postures. Usually suitable from around 2 years up to adolescence, these classes offer the same benefits as adult yoga but in a format that is fun!
The Sensible Move The introduction of Yoga into schools for pupils (and staff!) is spreading like wildfire across the world. Teachers have noticed considerable differences in the pupil performance following daytime yoga classes. Infant school Head teacher Carol Gillen says: “We are amazed at the difference yoga sessions have made. Children return to class ‘switched on’ to learn, but also very calm and relaxed.”
The introduction of yoga as a non-competitive, holistically beneficial and ultimately enjoyable activity from day one, plants a seed of awareness for a lifetime. And even if they don’t get up at 5.30am to do 12 rounds of Sun Salutations (a very invigorating sequence), I can guarantee at points in life when they are in need of inner strength, clarity, a focussed mind or stress reduction, that seed will flourish and support them in achieving their goals.
My personal experience of teaching all three forms of Yoga has brought me great joy for many years. The blissed-out smiles of expectant mums after a deep relaxation, the happy gurgling of 3-month olds as we help them into the ‘butterfly’ pose and the excitement of a kid, who usually finds activity difficult but has just mastered the ‘turtle’ pose, is priceless.
Noami Bradshaw is a National Children’s Yoga Teacher and Holistic Therapist.
Info depot
For further information on pregnancy and baby yoga and to find a local teacher check out: www.birthlight.com
For info and teachers of YogaBugs (2 to 7 years): www.yogabugs.com
And for 8 to 12 year olds: www.yogadup.com
Children’s yoga expert and founder of YogaBugs, Fenella Lindsell, says: “The regular practice of Yoga (for children) recharges weak immune systems, strengthens core stabilising muscles, tones the body reducing childhood obesity, maintains a child’s natural flexibility, improves co-ordination and balance, increases self confidence and promotes healthy sleep patterns.’
