Mom & Baby Yoga
Matrika Mom & Baby Yoga Class Schedule
WEDNESDAY
10:45 to 11:30 am Mom & Baby Yoga
Yoga Matrika Tuition Applies. Drop-in students are warmly welcomed.
Already have a class package? Register Online HERE.
WEDNESDAY 10:00 to 10:30 am Toddler Om
Register for 4-week series for $24 HERE.
Drop-ins welcome as space permits for $10 per class (eact cash or personal check)
Not included in Summer Unlimited Packages.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Mom & Baby Yoga
This is a yoga class for moms to share with infants up to one year of age. Toddlers and older children are welcome, but the yoga activities will focus on yoga for babies (gentle stretches, songs and playful movements). Yoga for moms is postnatal appropriate and we will always offer modifications for moms who have had surgical birth or need a more gentle practice for any reason. This is a breastfeeding supportive environment and we support all mothers, no matter how you choose to feed your baby, in feeding baby on demand.
Toddler Om
This is a class for moms and babies between 9-months (active crawling, cruising and early walking) and approximately 18-months. The yoga poses for baby are more active and there is less time and attention given to yoga for mom. Classes are 30-minutes and are a beautiful activity for moms and pre-toddlers and young toddlers to share. We schedule the class back to back with Mom and Baby yoga so you can catch up with all the other Matrika Mammas and babes in between classes. Moms, if you are looking for a class with more yoga for you, we highly recommend finding a way to take an adult yoga class on your own. If you need a recommendation for where to start, just give Sharon a call (412) 855-5692 or ask Rachel during class.
What to wear? What to bring?
You should wear comfortable clothing that you can move and stretch in. We practice in bare feet. You will want to bring everything you need to feed baby, diapers, a receiving blanket and any toys or snacks that you need to keep older babies and toddlers happy and comfortable. For your own comfort, please bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. You should bring a towel and burp cloths to pick up spills and thrills.
Mom & Baby Yoga Benefits
- Increased strength, energy and endurance for mom
- Recover physically & emotionally from pregnancy and childbirth
- Stabilize strength in pelvic floor and abdominals
- Learn yoga techniques to calm and delight baby
- Bond with your baby and share an activity that brings you both increased health and happiness
- Network with other new moms and share ideas, resources and support. Make new friends too!
- Reduce anxiety, stress and some of the aches and pains of motherhood: sore shoulders, back and neck especially
- Learn ways to cope when you feel overwhelmed and exhausted
Doing Yoga Together:
Preparations and Expectations
You love yoga and now you want to make it a part of your child’s life too. We are delighted that this is the case and we have a few things to keep in mind that will help you and your child enjoy the experience.
Keep an Open Mind
We find that it takes a couple of visits to the studio for children (ok, it’s actually true for adults too!) to understand what the activity is and what is expected of them. You might find that your child acts bored or is not interested in doing yoga. The way that babies and children enjoy yoga classes may be different from the way that you enjoy them. What we know is that, over time, sharing yoga together with your child creates beautiful memories and is time that you will cherish forever.
Prepare for Class
As much as possible, make sure that you and baby have had a snack and are wearing comfortable clothing. Try to leave enough time to get the studio so that there isn’t a lot of stress before class. Bring your little ones favorite toy or comfort item and some snacks as appropriate. Bring a receiving blanket for newborns and pre-crawling infants and a change of clothing and more diapering supplies than you think you need. For young children, after the first class, make sure that you talk with them about it and start talking about it again a few days before class—–remind them of the teacher’s name, another child’s name or some feature of class that they remember (a story, a sound or ritual).
Enjoy the Moment
When we release our expectations, we can enjoy whatever is happening. This is yoga! Yoga together is very different from adult yoga, but it allows us to stay fit and take time to meet our own needs as adults while sharing something that is very important to us with our children. Sometimes it goes as planned and sometimes it is a bit of a disaster, but know that you and your child are never judged at Yoga Matrika. There isn’t one of us who haven’t had a child tantrum during a Mom & Baby class or who didn’t have a baby who cried through an entire class——we welcome you and your little one, even if you are having “one of those days.”
CLICK on BANNER to shop for cloth diapers and great products for baby! New customers use code NEW2HBC and get 10% off their first order of $30 or more. Free shipping!