Classes
A little bit about the classes on offer.
Baby Massage
Baby massage is a type of alternative and complimentary therapy that provides many health benefits for the parent/carer and their baby. It consists of research based, hands on techniques to stimulate babies senses and help them to relax, whilst enhancing their cognitive and physical development.
In the womb, babies are being massaged constantly by their mother’s movements, so they are used to these sensations and the feeling of being safe, loved and contained. Baby massage has been used in many cultures for centuries, for example in Ayurvedic medicine in India since 1800BC. It was introduced into Western culture in the 1970s; since then more research has been undertaken to prove the many benefits it offers.
Massage provides the opportunity for parents and carers to bond with their baby through the power of touch. It helps parents to understand their babies cues and spend quality time together. This promotes the well being of both parent and baby.
The strokes are demonstrated by the teacher and then copied by the parents in the class. This provides parents with the knowledge and confidence to continue using massage at home.
Baby massage is suitable for babies from birth to crawling, and may be continued throughout their childhood.
Maisy absolutely loves baby massage! It’s such a great way to meet new mums without feeling overwhelmed. Helen is lovely and an amazing teacher she goes at such a good pace so you can take it all in & babies feel relaxed. The studio is beautiful & feels tranquil. Added bonus you get tea and biscuits.
Laura Shepherd, Facebook
Benefits of Baby Massage
Parent:
- Help to read your child’s emotional cues
- Gain skills that last a lifetime
- Time to relax
- Meet other parents
- Quality time with your baby
- Builds confidence
- Increases oxytocin levels
- Reduces cortisol levels
Baby:
- Improved quality of sleep
- Helps to relieve symptoms of colic
- Positive touch
- Increases oxytocin levels
- Reduces cortisol levels
- Aids brain development
- Sensory stimulation
- Improves skin condition
- Improves the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and immune systems
- Helps with constipation, as well as colic
Nell and I loved our baby massage sessions with Helen. The lessons were really calm and Helen was so knowledgeable about the massaging and how different techniques support different systems of the babies bodies etc so we learn along the way too! The biscuit and hot drink are also fab as it’s sometimes hard for us mummy’s to enjoy those usually ha ha! I would definitely recommend this class to anybody wanting to do it with their little ones, she’s fab.
Ellie Jayne, Facebook
Baby Yoga
Yoga is Sanskrit for ‘union’, meaning the union between mind, body and spirit. It originated in South West Asia more than 3000 years ago. Baby yoga provides the same benefits as any level of yoga.
Yoga promotes wellbeing, health and balance, introducing mindfulness to the breath and the body. Baby yoga classes consist of some breathing exercises for the parents/carers and gentle stretches that are suitable post caesarean section and during pregnancy. This is a time for relaxation and calm for parent and baby, helping to lower blood pressure, increase oxygen supply and have a positive effect on the body’s systems.
The second part of the class is where parents and carers engage in fun and dynamic yoga moves with their baby. The session ends with guided breathing and stretches as before to promote relaxation.
Similar to massage, it offers an opportunity to learn to recognise your baby’s emotional cues, spend quality time together and learn something new. The health benefits for both of you have been acknowledged for thousands of years. Your teacher will guide you through the class so that you have the knowledge and confidence to continue using yoga at home.
No previous experience of yoga is necessary. The classes are suitable for babies aged from 6 weeks to crawling, but again may be continued throughout their life. Please see toddler yoga information for children aged 1 to 4 years old.
It was lovely going to such a relaxed group, especially in the early weeks of being a new Mum!
Hannah Maughan
BRILLIANT COURSE 5***** We have just finished he 4 week baby yoga course and it was great. Helen is very friendly, knowledgeable and professional, plus my little boy loved watching her teach us and interact with him, many giggles and cheeky smiles from him. The course is great for bonding with baby, improving flexibility / movement and great fun for us both too. We learnt lots of fun techniques to use at home and we recommend this course to anyone and everyone.
Jennie Malone, Facebook
Benefits of Baby Yoga
Parent:
- Quality time with your baby
- Help to read child’s emotional cues
- Helps pelvic floor strengthening
- Light stretches that aid flexibility and are suitable even following cesarean section
- Improves confidence
- Aids relaxation
- Increases oxytocin levels
- Reduces cortisol levels
- Meet other parents
Baby:
- Positive touch
- Relaxes and stimulates
- Aids brain and physical development
- Improves flexibility
- Helps with postural reflexes
- Prepares for tummy time, crawling and walking
- Stimulates nervous, digestive, immune and vestibular systems
- Helps with balance
- Improves the quality of sleep
- Helps with digestion
Benefits of Toddler Yoga
Parent:
- Positive interactions with toddler
- Increases confidence
- Helps you to understand your child’s emotional cues
- Enhances relaxation
- Improves quality of sleep
- Increases oxytocin levels
- Decreases cortisol levels
- Encourages mindfulness
- Meet other parents
Toddler:
- Aids natural movement
- Helps with mind and body awareness
- Aids coordination
- Helps with emotional regulation
- Improves quality of sleep
- Improves muscle tone and strength
- Socialisation
- Enhances brain and physical development
- Encourages mindfulness
- Language development through stories and songs
- Increases listening skills
- Increases confidence and self esteem
- Helps with digestion
Me and Jacob have really enjoyed baby yoga classes. Helen is very welcoming making the classes relaxed and enjoyable. She is very knowledgeable and very understanding of babies needs whether needing to be fed or changed during classes. She also provides yummy cakes/biscuits for us too. It was also lovely to get a certificate for completing the sessions.
Clare Jephcote, Facebook
One to One Sessions
I also offer one to one sessions tailored to your needs. Please get in touch to see how I can help!