Babies can also practice yoga
In the United States, you can often see postpartum mothers carrying yoga mats to class, accompanied by babies in the car. Don't underestimate these babies. They are not "decorations" brought by their mother, but active participants in yoga classes.
Since the first baby yoga class appeared in 1999, baby yoga has become popular across the United States and has become a new favorite praised by major health magazines and TV programs in the United States.
Stretch your arms and legs, suitable for newborns until the age of 4
The reporter came to the medical center in Arlington County, Virginia, USA, where a unique baby yoga class was underway. Along with soothing and soft music, coach Outelli used a gentle and gentle voice to guide the mothers through yoga movements. Many babies who could not yet walk extended their arms and kicked their legs with the help of their mothers, and some were put upside down. During the entire process, they actually did not cry or make a fuss, and seemed to enjoy it very much.
Outelli introduced that this kind of yoga is called little baby yoga in the United States. At first, some babies will feel excited, but after a "magic action" of appropriate intensity, the babies can calm down quickly. As the frequency of practice increases and the understanding of movements deepens, many children will be able to do more difficult movements, such as mountains, trees, puppies, handstands, cobras and various extension movements.
Coach Otley warned that although yoga can be done from newborns to 4 years old, there are different courses for different "age groups." Before babies can walk, yoga movements must be completed under the "hands-on" leadership of parents; for children who have just learned to walk, parents will generally support and assist them in completing the yoga movements. As a result, pediatricians and nurses believe that overall, it is safe for babies to practice yoga.
Sleep soundly, digest well, and grow strong
Ms. Helen Garabedian, founder of baby yoga, pointed out that the purpose of baby yoga is to allow children to sleep better, digest better, and grow stronger. Although not many researchers have yet conducted research on its efficacy, participants 'reactions are often positive through practice.
According to Helen, this kind of yoga can help stimulate babies 'potential, strengthen neuromuscular coordination, improve immunity, and enhance babies' self-confidence. In addition, it can also help them better control their emotions. For parents, they can also use this to reduce stress, improve communication with their children, and learn how to calm their children down. Post-partum mothers can "kill two birds with one stone". They can not only slim down and lose weight after childbirth, but also have skin contact and eye contact with their babies at the same time to spend a wonderful parent-child time together. At the same time, yoga classes can prevent babies from being "confined" in their own small circles from birth. Yoga allows them to come into contact with society for the first time, which will have a potential impact on their future growth.
Exercise intensity should be moderate
However, Autelli also emphasized that in normal times, participants should not practice too much at home, usually two or three times a week, for about an hour each time. Moreover, you must pay attention to safety when practicing yoga, use yoga mats, loose clothes, and gentle movements. Baby yoga has more than 125 unique movements, and if your baby can't do some movements, you don't have to force them.
It is understood that teachers who teach baby yoga in the United States must be professional yoga instructors and be professionally recognized. One mother said her coach taught her a lot: when practicing, be quiet, and mom and baby should keep their eyes on each other. "I think the baby likes quiet and gentle eyes very much. When he sees his mother watching him, he feels extremely safe and becomes more interested in practicing yoga."
expert comment
Wu Hong, deputy chief physician of the Department of Health Care of Shanghai Children's Medical Center: From the perspective of children's health care, the purpose of children's physical exercise is to enhance physical fitness, adjust diet and promote growth and development. In infancy, due to the limited abilities of infants, passive exercises are mainly used. As an exercise method and form, infants also need the assistance of parents and professional guidance. However, yoga itself has its own characteristics. If parents cannot grasp the strength and are not gentle enough, it may cause harm to the baby. Therefore, personally, it is more suitable for children over the age of 2-3 to do this exercise. (Editor in charge: Chen Shaopeng)