Benefits: These stretches strengthen the legs, relieve the spine and open the hips. They are also good for digestion. They promote suppleness and flexibility and enhance relaxation.
Caution: As with all yoga, apply a little pressure but never force and if a baby resists then leave it until they are ready. Stop if baby is unhappy. Not for babies with clicky hips or other hip problems.

Leg Rolls

Hold the baby by the shin/calves and bend the knees, then roll the legs around each other one way and then the opposite direction. Repeat this a few times.
Tip: You can tickle baby behind the knees to bend the legs. If the baby still resists then stop. This can be done with the arms too (arm rolls.)
Benefits: As above and also co-ordination.

Baby Butterflies

Hold baby’s feet with the soles of the feet together. Gently bounce the legs up and down. Repeat the words: “Bouncy, bouncy,
bouncy.”

In the same hold, take the legs in towards the baby’s tummy and back to starting position. Repeat the words: “Beep, beep.”

Maintaining the Baby Butterfly position, rock the legs to the right and left. Repeat the words: “Side to side.”

Still in the Baby Butterfly position, roll the legs in a circle one way and then the other. Repeat the words: “Round and round.”

Basic Half Lotus
Holding baby by the shins/calves, keep one leg straight without forcing then bend the other leg so the sole of the foot is positioned into the groin. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the other side. Repeat the words: “1, 2, 3 and swap” x3 “1,
2, 3 and stop!”

Half Lotus

Holding baby loosely by the shins/calves, keep one leg straight without forcing and then bend the other leg so that the side of the foot is on top of the groin. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the other side.

Acrobatic Half Lotus
Holding baby by the shins/calves, hold one leg loosely without forcing then bend the other leg so the foot goes over the hip and onto the floor. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the other side.
Benefits: Encourages rolling, opens hips,
stretches thighs.

Tickle Toe Stretch

Holding baby by the shins/calves, take one leg and stretch it to their opposite arm pit. Hold for a few seconds and repeat on the other side. Until babies can reach this far, advise parents/carers to use their hand to tickle their baby. Repeat the words: “Tickle, tickle, tickle.”
Caution: Do not force the stretch; young babies especially will not reach the full stretch.

Plough

With baby lying on their back, hold the shin/calf of one leg and take the toes to the nose or as near to the nose as baby wants to go and say “beep beep!” Then repeat on the other side and do this 3 or 4 times. This exercise can be performed bringing both feet to the nose at the same time. Counter pose – Just give the legs a gentle wiggle to relieve any tension in the legs.

Lollipop Legs (Half Plough)

As lollipop arms, but with the legs. Lift one leg up towards the nose holding around the calf area. Careful not to overstretch; work with baby’s resistance. Repeat: “123 swap” or “beep beep!”

Baby Buddha
Holding baby by the shins/calves, keep one leg straight without forcing. Bend the other leg so that the side of the foot is on top of the groin. Next carefully bend the other leg underneath so that both legs fold into one another. This can be done lying down for non-head holders.
Caution: Never strain or flex against resistance, only hold for 3 to 4 seconds and release if baby shows any signs of discomfort.

Half Buddha

Take one foot and bend the knee out, bringing the foot up to rest on the opposite thigh. Hold for a couple of seconds and swap sides.

Wiggly Drop (counter pose)

Lie baby on their back and put your hands underneath baby’s buttocks and slide your hands down the back of their legs. Hold the shins/calves, keeping the legs together, and gently wiggle the legs from side to side then pull them slightly towards you without forcing and let them flop towards the floor.
Benefit: This exercise is used to close the hip flexes after any exercise
that has opened the hips such as Baby Butterflies.

Massage (counter pose)
Placing both hands palms up cupped slightly underneath babies hips/bottom, gently close fingers around and begin to knead into the hips. Use a firm but gentle pressure, never directly squeezing onto the bones. Can be used as a counter pose to any hip opening stretches and also in warm up massage.

Benefit: Used to close the hips back up after any opening stretches.
Caution: Firm but gentle pressure.

Back Tickle

Slide your hands under the baby’s upper back. Tickle with your fingers and gently move down the back.
Caution: Be careful not to put any direct
pressure on the spine.