Benefits: Opens up the chest cavity, strengthens the arms and shoulders, good for asthma.
Cautions: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and if baby resists then leave it until they are ready. If any baby is unhappy then stop.
Note: Moves can be carried out with baby laid on their back facing their parent/carer or they can be sitting up with baby’s spine to parent/carer’s tummy. Being on their back is good for eye contact with parent/carer; some babies will prefer to be sitting upright and it also can be social as they can look at each other this way. It is good to use a combination.

Kissing Sun

With baby lying on their back, hold on to their hands down by their sides about hip area. Slowly lift the arms first out to the side and then all the way to the top and give baby a big kiss when their arms are above their head. Slowly reverse the action with the arms.

Benefits: Spinal suppleness. When arms are opened outwards it relaxes the shoulders and opens the chest. Arms up above head strengthens the upper back bottom to top. Helps them to lose physiological flexion.

Baby Flies

Holding the baby by the hands or forearms, bring the hands in together and touch then stretch out to sides and repeat 4 or 5
times. Repeat the words: “Touch and stretch/In and out/Big and small.”

Rocket

Holding the baby by the hands or forearms, bring the arms up parallel with the head and bring back down to the sides. Repeat 4 or 5 times. Repeat words: “Up and down/Big and small.”

Bear Hug

Holding baby by the hands or forearms, open up the arms applying a little pressure in the stretch then wrap the arms across
the chest as if they are giving themselves a hug. Repeat but this time crossing the bottom arm over the top. Repeat once or
twice on each side.

Lollipop Arms

Holding baby by the hands or forearms, have one arm down by the baby’s side and lift the other arm above the head in line with the ear. Stop when you feel resistance and repeat this 3 or 4 times. Do the same action on the other arm.

Swimming
Front Crawl – Holding baby by the hands or forearms, perform a front crawl swimming action by circling one arm forwards then repeat on the other arm.

Back Stroke – Holding baby by the hands or forearms, do the same as for front crawl except rotate the arms backwards. Repeat the words: “Splash! Splash! Splash!”

Butterfly Stroke – Holding the baby by the hands or forearms, rotate the arms together in a full circle forwards. Repeat 3 or 4 times.

Old English Backstroke – As for butterfly but rotate the arms backwards. Repeat the words: “Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”