In my last post, I talked about my Baby Yoga outline for pre-walkers (or ages 0 to 15 months). In this post, I am sharing my outline that I used with walkers (or ages 16 to 36 months). A lot of it is similar to the pre-walker outline, with just a few changes:\
Session #2: Walkers
- Welcome/Introduction: This is where I greeted participants and gave a quick overview of the storytime. I also briefly talked about the benefits of doing yoga with babies.
- Namaste with Clapping:
- In yoga, we say "Namaste" as a greeting at the beginning and end of class.
- Say each child's name twice with a clap for each syllable. Then bow (if able) and say "Namaste"
- Focus/Breathing: I had adults sit criss-cross applesauce with their babies in their laps, back to chest. I asked them to take a moment to settle in, then breathe deeply in and out 3 times.
- Stretches:
- I Love You (3 times)
- Hold index fingers out in front of baby’s hands. Invite them to grab fingers.
- Say I (help baby’s hands to heart), Love (arms stretched out to sides), You (baby’s arms into self hug and wiggle side to side.)
- So Big (3 times) – baby can do themselves if able facing you
- Parents legs out, baby sit between legs
- Take baby’s hands and stretch up in the air and say Soooo
- Lean forward and reach baby’s hands to ground/toes and say Big
- This helps energize their spine and aids in digestion
- Hands and Feet - wiggle and "say hello"
- Kneeling Pose (show baby how first)
- Downward Dog
- With baby standing. kneel/stand behind them and place your hands on the front of their hips
- Encourage them to reach forward to the floor
- If necessary, pull baby's hips up, making sure hands and feet are still touching the floor
- Once baby is ready, let go
- Bark if you like!
- Standing and Balancing Poses
- Sun Salutations (2-3 times)
- Stand up straight, reach up high then bend over to touch your toes. Baby does this too!
- Stand up and stretch to the sun, make a rainbow with arms in the air. Baby does this too!
- Star Pose
- Kneel or stand with baby standing in front of you with their arms outstretched if possible
- Sing "Twinkle Twinkle" and lean side to side, getting baby to lift each foot in turn
- Jumping Bean
- Sit or kneel with baby standing facing you and support them under their arms. Or if they can do it themselves, model it for them.
- Say Jumping (small jump), Jumping, Jumping, BEAN! (big jump)
- Book
- I read From Head to Toe by Bill Martin Jr. and we did the actions together.
- Massage
- Lay your baby on their back, feet towards you with your legs outstretched into a "V". (Or they can sit up with their back to you if preferred.)
- If you do this at home, you might want to try it with a little lotion or baby oil on your hands
- Feet and Legs:
- Stroke each foot with your hands and each toe.
- Hold ankle and gently lift, use other hand to slide down thigh towards baby's foot for each leg
- Gently massage each calf using small, gentle circles
- Tummy: Massage baby's tummy using an open hand in large circles
- Hands:
- Take baby's hand in yours and use your other hand to slide from wrist to shoulder and back again. Switch.
- Gently stroke each finger or backs of baby's hands if they don't want to uncurl their fingers
- Now take baby's hands and open arms wide. Then cross into a self-hug!
- Closing Affirmation
- I am smart (point to head)
- I am loved (point to heart)
- I am wonderful (open arms wide)
Have you ever done baby yoga? What did you do differently?
