5 June 2015
An Indonesia-based video reported today, using the term 'baby yoga' in fact portrays the opposite of Yoga. As the inventors of the term Baby Yoga in 1996 Birthlight find this an unacceptable misuse of the term and no one associated with Birthlight supports or teaches the behaviour shown.
The video was reported to Facebook staff in Britain on the grounds of both 'graphic violence and nudity' but the Facebook moderator for the UK said that the clip did not violate standards policy on the grounds that "it depicts a form of baby yoga". This is an unacceptable stretching of the term 'Baby Yoga' and no one associated with Birthlight can endorse this justification by Facebook. It is time to protest on behalf of the babies out there as the video is gaining shares. If a baby cries at any point during our sessions we advocate stopping and cuddling the baby.
Founded by Dr. Francoise Freedman, Birthlight pioneered baby yoga classes as an inclusive set of practices to enhance playful interaction and communication between parent and baby and to promote their healthy development. Baby Yoga perfectly complements baby massage and expands the benefits of touch with those of movement and relaxation. Baby yoga helps to attune to your baby's needs and to calm or stimulate them as appropriate with a sense of security and wellbeing. It includes a wide range of different practices that can be combined to suit the needs of each baby or toddler through their individual development.
The benefits are numerous and are all based on a gentle approach and relaxation. Birthlight Baby yoga:
- Strengthens and helps baby through development stages.
- Improved sleep.
- Helps baby digestion.
- Enhances playful interaction.
- Gives a balance of activity and relaxation.
- Helps mum to regain strength after birth.
- Tones abdominal muscles and pelvic floor while carrying growing babies.
- Creates circles of support and friendship.
Birthlight has been training Sure Start staff, health visitors, midwives, mums and yoga teachers in appropriate baby yoga techniques for years because the benefits of these gentle practices have been proven over and over and enjoyed time and time again.
Media contact:
Sylvie Russell
Birthlight Executive Manager
[email protected]
www.birthlight.com