Baby Yoga: Pre-Walkers

Last month, I tried my hand at Baby Yoga. I was a little nervous because I had done a Yoga Storytime for ages 4 to 7, but I had no experience with a yoga for babies. Luckily, I had some help from other librarians and was able to create a solid outline.

I held two 30 minute sessions - one for pre-walkers (or babies newborn to 15 months old) and one for walkers (or babies/toddlers from 16 months to 36 months). Here is my outline for the pre-walkers session:

Session #1: Pre-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.
• 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
• Toes to Nose (3 times)
• This one is good for hip flexibility
• One hand across baby’s belly for support
• Other hand holds baby’s leg near their ankle. Rest your thumb on their shin and fingers supporting back of leg.
• Bring baby’s toes to his nose and tickle
• Switch sides
• Lying Down Exercise
• Fish Pose
• Baby on back next to you
• One hand gently holding baby's feet/ankles
• Slide other hand under baby's back, gently raise to arch
• This is good to help get more oxygen to baby's organs and open up their breath, also stretches their neck and back
• Sing ABCs while doing this pose
• Rolio
• Baby is still on their back, facing you
• Bring baby's hands together, holding them with one hand and use your other hand to bring baby's feet up to be held in your hand one at a time.
• Try to get your thumbs behind baby's heels and baby's wrists between your fingers
• Gently rock side to side as fast or slow as baby likes and sing a rocking song like My Big Blue Boat
• Standing Poses: These will help your baby get ready to walk!
• Jumping Bean
• Sit or kneel with baby standing facing you and support them by holding under baby's armpits
• Say "Jump" (lift baby up) "ing" (baby's feet to floor), Jumping, Jumping, BEAN! (big lift)
• Repeat twice, then pull in for a hug. (This one is a good workout for grownups too!)
• Standing Knee to Chest: This one is good for balance!
• Sit with your legs extended out into a "V"
• Rest baby's back against your chest and place one arm around their chest for support
• Use your other hand to hold baby's shins just below the knee
• Bring baby's knee up toward their chest and hold for 1 to 5 seconds
• Lower back down to floor
• Switch legs
• 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
• 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!