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ing the muscles affected by pregnancy. A typical class offers exercises that stimulate all of the baby’s developing bodily systems, including the nervous and digestive. These techniques can alleviate colic and gas, and help improve a baby’s sleep pattern. Baby and Me yoga also encourages the creation of social connections for both mom and baby: parents get the opportunity to visit with other parents and caretakers, and the baby gets to see, and depending on their age possibly interact, with other babies. By sharing expe- riences and advice, networking with other new parents can be both empowering and therapeutic. As the baby grows, the benefits of yoga


will grow with them! Yoga is not acces- sible only to certain age groups. No matter a child’s age, there are poses and practices that can benefit their development. Children are often encouraged to make up their own poses, engaging with their imaginations and feelings. Because asanas, or poses, align so closely with nature and animals, children love to access their own expressions of clas- sic yoga postures. Yoga classes for children offer the time and space to get to know their ever-changing bodies- through the connec- tion between mind and body. Classes start by working with breath-


ing. Teaching children breathing techniques, even as simple as drawing their attention to their breath, helps develop self-regulation skills. From there, instructors use songs, games, and stories to introduce children to new poses. These activities typically involve memory, motor skills, and focus. Yoga also


builds balance, flexibility, and strength, which can contribute to improved self-esteem as children grow older. For older children, classes will often incorporate an emotional or social cooperation elements through discussion of principles like ahimsa (non-harming), santosha (content- ment), and satya (truthfulness). Students are encouraged to use these principles both on and off the mat, with themselves as well as others, to cultivate a greater sense of self and impart these principles on their peers. In addition to the benefits listed above, studies have shown that yoga can raise the


levels of “feel-good” brain chemicals like serotonin, GABA and dopamine, ease lower back pain, increase the soundness and duration of sleep, improve self-confidence and strengthen all of the muscles of the body. The goal of any yoga class should be for the practitioner to feel more open, balanced, strong and relaxed as they step away from per- formance and perfection and onto their own unique path of discovering their full poten- tial.


Kate Baldacci, Abby Brennan and Jen Shumway are all teachers at Greener Postures. Greener Postures is a Vinyasa Yoga studio that offers all of the types of yoga described above. Greener Postures has two studios, at 65 Gray Road in Falmouth and 740 Broad- way in South Portland, ME. They offer over 87 classes, 7 days a week and strive to create an atmosphere where everyone, regardless of yoga experience, feels welcome and ac- cepted.


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