Sunday Shoutout & Tour of Columbus – beYoga
I just recently got cleared from my doctor to begin yoga and core work, so I was excited when my neighbor invited me to a baby yoga class at beYoga. Not only had I never been to this studio, I also had never done this particular style of yoga… baby wearing! Participants are encouraged to bring a baby carrier and wear baby during the session. I was very curious and happy to attend. The class description reads…
This class is specifically designed for Moms and their babies. Baby wearing is a perfect way to balance your yoga work out and bonding time with your newborn. You get all the benefits of yoga, (core strength, flexibility and mental relaxation) plus the benefits of enhanced connection with your newborn and other new moms. Chest to chest positioning with baby wearing allows mommy to steal sweet kisses while hearts beat in unison, while enjoying that new born baby smell. That said, we do know that babies do come with ‘cries’ for attention and you, as mama, are welcome to attend to those needs throughout class as you see fit. Bring your own Baby Wrap/Carrier.
The studio is located in Upper Arlington and it took me about 20 minutes to get there from Dublin. Upon arrival, both the class instructor and the studio owner greeted us. They made me feel welcome and were super friendly & inviting!
Phones were to be off during the session so I asked if I could take a quick picture before we started. Madelyn looks excited for her yoga session, don’t you think?
The class was perfect!
It started with some free time to play with baby and talk with the other mommas. It was fun to get to know a bit about them and also see the different styles of baby wearing contraptions. I have a Baby Bjourn and others included the Ergobaby and the Moby wrap style. After going through the class, I would recommend more of a wrap style because the harder/thicker straps on my Bjourn started to hurt a tad toward the end. Plus, although I love the Bjourn for walks, during the yoga session I would have preferred to keep her a bit closer and tighter to my body, which a wrap tends to be better for. Guess we are going shopping soon!
The second part of class [about 10 minutes] included baby & momma interaction. We played with baby, sang songs and used touch (ten little fingers, ten little toes!) to connect and communicate. Madelyn was wide awake during this portion and was all smiles. Melt my heart!
The last (and majority) portion of the class consisted of baby wearing flow. It felt great to get an actual yoga session in! We did a lot of balance poses including Warrior variations, tree and even dancer. Chair was the most common starting pose for each sequence so my quads got a good workout. And although it wasn’t heated, wearing a baby sure heated me up (and made me miss hot yoga!) I was very pleased with the class, the workout, the mind+body connection and of course, sharing one of my passions with my beautiful new daughter. I still am not used to saying that word. Daughter. So, so blessed!
Speaking of daughter… my hungry little peanut didn’t even make it through the entire class. I spent my savasana nursing her in the corner. She tends to have an appetite and a mind of her own, when she wants it, she wants it! Here we are sneaking a pic in the corner. Based on her facial expression, I’m guessing she is thinking “Mom, put your phone away!”
After class ended, the instructor was kind enough to snap a quick memory…
I would highly recommend the class for any new mommas! I don’t know that I’ll go regularly since its a bit of a drive, but I am very happy I attended and learned some sequences I can incorporate into yoga at home. Of course, I had to practice back in our own space and share a few pictures with you…
Thanks for reading!
Madelyn gives beYoga and the baby wearing class a double fist pump!
Check out our own version of baby&me yoga in a previous post HERE.
Living Fit [Columbus] 