Presidential Fitness – Baby Yoga

Early Infancy

From about 1 month to 4 months of age, a baby is just becoming aware of her body and how it moves. Verbally directing a baby to move her body into poses really isn’t practical; rather, you assist them in feeling their bodies in gentle stretches.

Good Morning Stretch

Lay baby on her back. Help her extend her arms overhead and legs straight out in front. Hold the stretch for a breath or two; then release and let her move her arms and legs naturally.

Wind-Relieving Po  

Lay baby on his back. Gently press on the bottoms of his feet and ease his knees toward his chest. Allow him to accept the movement. Hold the squeezed-in pose for a few breaths, then release.

Knee-to-Chest Pose

Instead of coaxing both knees into her chest, do just one at a time. Again, lay baby on her back and gently press one knee in toward her chest, hold for just a breath or two, release and then switch legs.

Older Babies

After about 5 months of age, a baby has a little more control over his body. He’s likely holding up his head, rolling over and propping up into Cobra pose on his own!

Encourage him to explore poses that come naturally to him and that help build practical strength skills. Upper-body strength gives him the power to push up into all fours and to even begin crawling. Getting accustomed to putting weight on his feet prepares him for taking his first steps in toddler-dom.

Bridge

A baby naturally moves into Bridge around 5 months of age. Encourage her to do the pose by having her lay on her back, bend her knees and plant her feet onto the floor. Gently help her lift her hips up, so she creates a ramp from her knees to her shoulders. Celebrate with coos and claps. Let her stay in the pose as long as she likes.

Downward-Facing Dog

This pose is a natural for older babies as they explore how to crawl. Place your baby on her belly and encourage her to get onto all fours, if she is willing to follow directions. Encourage her to lift her buttocks toward the ceiling as she presses her hands and feet down. She will most likely go into the triangular shape of the posture naturally.

To encourage your baby into either of these poses, put her on a blanket or mat next to yours and play a little monkey-see-monkey-do. It’s OK if she pops up for just a second or two — it’s about the strength and play, not long, deliberate yoga holds.