Toddler Yoga

Firstly, what is yoga to you? And what is toddler yoga?

“Yoga means union. The difference between yoga and a normal fitness class is the idea of a union – not only between the parents and their babies, but also with nature, the community and their bodies. It spreads the idea that we are important to each other, and that together we are one.

The idea with my classes is to engage the child in a setting where the parent can also engage and practice yoga herself. They both have fun, learn and grow together. My sessions are inspired by a new book every week: I make a story, and this story is then lived through the bodies and movement of the parents and their children. There’s lots of imagination in the class!

It’s a space for parents to have fun with their toddlers and build bonds, while building their strength and releasing stress and tension. People think that yoga is a serious class, but ours is nothing but fun.

We also do relaxation after the class, something I think is very important. Growing up in London is a strange environment for a child as we’re constantly on the go, always on the move. In this class I like to teach the children about relaxation and slowing down, taking a breather and not being on the move all the time.”

What are the benefits of the class?

“The class helps parents and their children get to know each other. The children begin to show their personality and it really helps the parents to form connections with them from an early age. One mum even said to me, once, “thanks to your class, I got to know my child!”.

All the kids make friends with each other and the parents do too. When you have a child, live in a city and perhaps don’t have your family around you, it can be easy to feel isolated and sometimes the child can be the only one you talk to. But the parents coming to the class have all made connections through the class and become part of a little community.

Some of the participants have been coming since the class began and, even if the child grows too old to attend, they retain connections outside of the class. After every session the parents stick around to have a coffee and a chat, too.

“This class is the highlight of my week,” one participant told me, “I can finally talk with someone my age!””

What do you like most about running the class?

“I find it very rewarding. I get to see parents and their children growing, making friends and becoming more active. They give me fantastic feedback, talking about the better bonds with their children, more ease with their body, and social connections that they’ve developed through the class.

I would encourage all mums and dads to come along with their children. The best age group is between 1 and a ½ – 4 years old, and the sessions change as the child grows up, but I also do cater for children under 1 and a ½.”