To digest and sleep well, to grow and develop their potential, babies need movement appropriate to their ages and/or developmental stages. Drawing on a wealth of teaching experience over three decades, Birthlight courses equip both independent teachers and institutional staff with the knowledge and skills to share simple, safe and tested practices with the families in their communities.
Overview
| The Birthlight Baby Yoga Training course area integrates touch and movement from birth through the early years. Promoting positive parent-baby interactions is key to the wellbeing of families and communities. Baby Yoga offers the physical activity that babies need but often lack in our 21st century global urban lifestyle, at home and in community groups, nurseries and care units. |  Find a Course |
Baby Yoga Training Areas:
| Teacher Training | Short Course | CPD | |
| Birthlight Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga (BINBY) | X | ||
| Birthlight Baby Yoga Diploma 1&2 | X | ||
| Toddler Yoga | X | ||
| Special & Additional Needs Baby & Toddler Yoga (short course/cpd) | X |
HISTORY
Birthlight has pioneered Baby Yoga as an inclusive complement to Baby Massage, based on traditions of early nurture still live in India and in other parts of the world. Françoise Freedman, who wrote the original ‘Baby Yoga’ book in 2000, was inspired by the active combination of movement, touch and cuddles in Amazonian indigenous parenting. She used anthropology, research on infant development and the ‘science of parenting’ to inform and back up her innovative teaching. Baby Yoga is continually evolving thanks to the input and feedback of practitioners and experts worldwide.
Books by Francoise Freedman
Discover simple stretches, poses and massages that will help your flexibility and suppleness, as well as nurture the bond between you and your baby. Francoise Barbira Freedman offers exercises for all stages of early parenthood, from basic postnatal stretches to routines you can do with children up to the age of three. .
“Baby Yoga” is a unique work-out that is fun for your baby and helps you get back in shape at the same time. Lightly manipulating your baby’s limbs will maintain suppleness, ease digestive problems, and reinforce the loving bond between parent and child. Written by the foremost practitioner in this new field and filled with step-by-step colour photographs, this book is suitable for those new to yoga ….
Course Format
These courses are now available in the following formats:
- Classic (face-to-face)
- Blended (combination of face-to-face and live online)
- Fully online Livestream (using Zoom video with a live tutor).”
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Birthlight Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga Training Course (BINBY)
Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga Training Course
OVERVIEW
Developed by Marion O’connor for Birthlight, our new 6-day intensive integrated online training, combines Nurturing Baby Massage, Baby Yoga and Interactive Yoga with babies for parents/carers.
Live online training, is combined with online learning, ensuring that students can review, practice, deepen and test their skills and knowledge beyond the course contact hours. The supporting resources will enable you to create a professional range of enjoyable sessions of nurturing baby massage and baby yoga for babies from 6 weeks to pre-mobile. Contents can be adapted to suit your families’ and groups’ needs or individual pairs
COURSE OUTLINE
This course is focused on practice. Theory is integrated to back and inform practice.
Course contents include:
- Practical and simple techniques to support early, essential attachment and bonding
- with mutual benefits for parents and babies
- Nurturing baby massage sequences, either ‘dry’ (over clothes) or with oil
- ‘Relaxed holds’ giving parents/carers confidence in their handling of new babies, including picking up and putting down with ease.
- Integrated colic-easing sequence
- Baby Yoga progression from mini moves to moves that enhance pre-mobile babies’ enjoyment of their growing abilities, including gentle stretches, lifts, slides, rolls and swings
- Joint relaxation (lying down, sitting, feeding, walking)
- Yoga-based techniques to expand mindful awareness, reduce stress and foster joyful communication in baby care: yoga breathing, use of voice, mudras (hand gestures)
- Adapted postnatal yoga accessible to all women, including flow stress-release movements, including interactive mum & baby stretches
- Practices that are readily adaptable for babies in special situations such as those in care, entering into adopted families or those sustaining long periods in hospital.
- The Birthlight concept of ‘spirals of joy’: expanding self-confidence, the foundations of wellbeing, and the enjoyment of life.
- How to prepare class materials and use props
WHO CAN ATTEND THIS COURSE
- Health professionals (nursery nurses, health visitors, family support workers) with a related interest
- Childrens’ Centres Staff (child development practitioners, family support workers, outreach workers)
- Yoga teachers with an interest in babies
- ‘Mothers’ route to training’ (Birthlight apprenticeships)
Note: Applicants with no previous knowledge of infant development need to complete the anatomy and physiology pre-reading module before taking this course.
FORMAT AND DURATION
The course is delivered live by the course tutor over sessions, amounting to a duration of 6 contact days. There are two possible formats currently:
- Fully live online – the whole course is delivered via Zoom sessions live with a tutor plus an online course component.
- Fully Face-to-face – contact is through face-to-face days plus an online course component.
- Blended live online and face to face – the course is partly live online and part face to face, plus an online course component.
A carefully designed programme allows participants to map their individual studying journeys. More information on course formats can be found in the FAQ’s.
Study materials include:
- A comprehensive manual given at the start of the course
- Explainer video clips
- Baby Massage Handbook
- Baby Yoga Moves Booklet
- Example lesson plans
- Substantial online resources
ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed continually with quizzes and informal practicals throughout the course. The aim is to develop course attendees’ teaching skills and confidence for best practice. To gain your teaching certification, you will need to submit a case-study (minimum of 3 sessions) and a recorded video (10 minutes) of your teaching as specified by the course tutor. Both are to be submitted within six months.
QUALIFICATION
On successful completion of the Combined Baby Massage and Baby Yoga course, you will be qualified as Birthlight Certified Teacher in Baby Massage and Baby Yoga (1).
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THIS COURSE
“The training was fantastic, I came away with so much knowledge and couldn’t wait to get planning!”
— Jodie, BINBY course with Emma 2023
“This course exceeded my expectations 🙂 It was a rich, inspired, creative learning journey delivered by a knowledgable, compassionate and relatable teacher (Emma). The course content and materials are sensible and progressive enhanced by the opportunity to revisit/review/refresh learning via the online material and recordings of the course. Fantastic opportunity to share these teachings with worldwide participants and I feel inspired and confident (ish!) to bring this learning to life to enable parents, carers and babies connect through the practice of baby massage and yoga.”
— Sharon, BINBY course with Emma 2023
“Great course. I learnt so much and leave feeling confident and excited to teach baby yoga and massage. I made some lovely supportive friends thanks to the set up of the course and had a wonderful tutor that was very knowledgeable and approachable. I look forward to doing further courses with birthlight in the future! :)”
— Maxine, BINBY course with Emma 2023
“I attended the Birthlight Baby massage & baby yoga course online with Emma and I can honestly say it’s one of the best courses I have been on. Well structured, super informative, passionately presented with thoughtful additions such as break out groups so we could ‘rest & digest’ as well as put into practice what we had learnt. A pleasure. I can’t wait to put what I have learnt into practice.”
— Participant, BINBY course with Emma 2023
“I also wanted to thank you for all of your time, energy, teaching and support, before, during and after the course. It really is invaluable and very much appreciated to have you and the group there for support – and to spur me on with finalising my coursework and getting it submitted. I also know how much work you and Birthlight must have done over the last year in order to make the course possible and accessible online and just to say I think you’ve done a brilliant job. It’s really useful to have resources to refer back to and to watch back the recordings of the training sessions we had with you, so there are definite benefits to having the course in an online format.”
— Charlotte Musgrove, (Marion O’Connor’s “Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga” (BINBY), January 2021)
I truly had a BINBY experience within this training [via Zoom]! Although I missed the opportunity to meet with my tutor and fellow teachers in person, I got the opportunity to meet a wonderful group of people from across Europe. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience learning with Marion! She is a wonderful asset to the Birthlight community and I am thankful that our paths crossed! B- Brilliant I- Interesting N- Nurturing B- Blissful Y- Yogic
— Anonymous ((Marion O’Connor’s “Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga”, August 2020)
I would just like to say how important the classes we do for our coursework are. It’s then that it all starts to make sense. I learnt so much from you and then it all came together when I taught the classes to real mummies & babies. It puts you on the right Rd to making beautiful classes. Also the feedback you get is really useful and helpful. It helps build confidence. Having all the plans typed out gives you a good start for building your own classes. You already have the classes planned out. You’ll learn how to overcome real problems which you will come across in your classes. It was the right amount of coursework for us to make our classes successful. I loved the course & all the hard-work to becoming qualified. The work and effort that you put in makes a greater teacher.
— Claire, (Marion O’Connor’s “Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga” , BINBY, 2021)
breakout rooms worked really well giving you a chance to connect with other students
— Anonymous (Marion O’Connor’s “Integrated Nurturing Baby Massage and Baby Yoga”, February 2021)
Baby Yoga Diploma Course
Birthlight’s Baby Yoga ranges from gentle ‘relaxed holds’ for newborns to the adapted animal yoga poses that toddlers love. As a parent-baby interactive practice, Baby Yoga brings out the essence of yoga as connection through breath, enhancing natural development as it unfolds and joint relaxation. Baby Yoga’s hands-on active play benefits mothers and fathers as much as their babies.
COURSE OUTLINE
The Baby Yoga training course integrates theory and practice related to babies aged 3months to pre-mobile (9-12 months variable) and offers further resources for 10-18 months, when babies are mobile. The course blends theory, practice and teaching methods with the aim of imparting practical proficiency and confidence to participants over a relatively short time.
The Training Course contents includes:
- The benefits of Baby Yoga in relation to infant development
- How yoga principles are applicable to early parenting
- Fundamentals of specific anatomy and physiology (birth to the third year)
- Fundamentals of development (postural reflexes, motor development,
- balance, sensory integration) related to practices taught on the course
- How to teach parents relaxation and breathing exercises with their babies (‘entrainment’ between parent and baby)
- Sets of Baby Yoga moves taught as ability-appropriate rather than as age-related practices to support good spinal alignment, rolling and sitting
- Cautions with use of props, safety guidelines, do’s and don’ts
- Preparation of class materials, and how to set up and manage your class
You will also learn:
- How to enhance parent-baby communication with attention to baby cues
- Teaching methods to balance activities (groups or one to one)
- Hands on assists that empower parents
- Baby Yoga resources to help lift postnatal depression by engaging mothers actively with their babies
Older babies Course contents includes:
- Benefits of Baby Yoga in the second year
- Fundamentals of development in the second year, with a focus
- on brain growth, memory, balance, patterns and individual process
- What is ‘emotional intelligence’ and how Baby Yoga promotes it
- Sets of Baby Yoga moves to enhance mobility
- How to teach Baby Yoga relaxation with parents in the second year
- Sequencing of activities (groups and one to one) with the use of
- simple props, songs and short stories
- How to build a class with babies of different stages
- How to relate to individual babies and parent-baby pairs while paying attention to the groups
- Techniques to help parents see their babies in a positive light with unconditional love and acceptance (particularly in cases of neuro-developmental delay and early trauma)
WHO CAN ATTEND THIS COURSE?
- The Birthlight Baby Yoga Diploma training course is open not only to qualified yoga instructors but also to other professionals working with babies from birth to two years
- Yoga teachers with an interest in babies (particularly those already teaching infant massage, postnatal yoga or kids yoga)
- Health professionals (nursery nurses, health visitors, family support workers) with an interest in yoga
- Children Centres Staff (child development practitioners, family support workers, outreach workers)
- Practitioners of Complementary Therapies with a specialty in babies
- Mothers’ route to training’ (Birthlight apprenticeships)
FORMAT AND DURATION
There are currently two formats:
- In its Livestream Blended format, the course is delivered live by a Birthlight training tutor over live Zoom sessions amounting to 4 contact days in two parts. It also includes an online course component (e.g. online reading assignments, videos, quizzes, etc). A carefully designed programme allows participants to map their individual studying journeys. The course includes group work facilitated by the training tutor in Zoom breakout rooms.
- The Face-to-face Blended format is 4 days of face-to-face meetings. This comes with an online course component (e.g. online reading assignments, quizzes, etc) which supplements the face-to-face meetings.
More explanation about course formats (e.g. blended, face-to-face, etc) can be found on the FAQ page.
Study materials include:
- A comprehensive Baby Yoga manual given at the start of the course
- Explainer videos
- Baby Yoga Moves Handbooks for premobile and mobile babies
- Example lesson plans
- Substantial online resources
ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed continually with quizzes and informal practicals through the course. To gain your teaching certification, you will need to submit a case-study (minimum of 3 sessions) and a recorded video (10 minutes) of your teaching as specified by the course tutor. Both are to be submitted within six months.
QUALIFICATION
On successful completion of all practical assessments, case studies and online assignments, course participants will obtain the Birthlight Baby Yoga Diploma qualification.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE
“Engaging, informative, thorough, supportive, positive. The online training was very well organised and allowed me to do the course with a small baby which I couldn’t have done in person.”
— Lucy Corner, 2022 Baby Yoga course with Amelie
“The training as a baby yoga teacher at Birthlight was really inspiring and educational. I am now full of anticipation to finally be able to give my own classes and look forward to passing on the knowledge to the mothers.”
— Participant, 2022 Baby Yoga with Amelie & Bryony
“I have found Bryony to be an extremely knowledgeble teacher. The classes have provided me with so much information on babies development and mums postnatal recovery that I will be able to include in my classes in addition to the yoga exercises. I am excited to complete my training and get teaching.”
— Kirsty Lofts, Baby Yoga 2021
“I would highly recommend the BIRTHLIGHT Baby Yoga Training level 1 and 2 to anyone interested in learning a new skill that will support both babies and their caregivers. I attended this course online which has finally enabled me to gain this qualification as from living in Northen Scotland attending a face to face course isn’t really an option for me at the moment with a young family at home. My trainer was very supportive, knowledgeable and passionate about her role and baby yoga. A whatsapp group was established for supporting all the students and we actively use this to ask questions and share our experiences. If you are thinking about adding a new skill to your bow I would highly recommend Baby Yoga with BIRTHLIGHT.”
— Emma Owen, Baby Yoga 2021
“Level 1 and 2 Baby Yoga was a great experience and provided me with the theoretical foundation from which I can confidently underpin the activities with the babies. Bryony was a skilful teacher who enabled us to explore and discover our own way into working with mums and bubs whilst keeping things fun and safe for all.”
— Danielle, Baby Yoga 2019
‘The tutor was a very welcoming and a knowledgeable teacher with a very kind and motivating style. She was open for any questions and uses a great mix of teaching methods. I have loved this training and would definitely recommend it to others. A big thank you!’
‘I really enjoyed this course and it has really helped me to develop my confidence within my role as it’s all so new to me coming from education. Your style of teaching I really enjoyed and your in-depth knowledge made me inspired to work through the rest of the Birthlight courses. As someone with anxiety issues, I know the benefits of yoga and breathing techniques, so, to be able to apply that to stressed-out mums and babies is amazing. Thank you!’
‘This course was absolutely amazing. I believe everyone should have to take this course to regain lost knowledge. Or knowledge that hasn’t been passed down. I feel happy and confident, I have learned so much about myself and my body. I will recommend this to anyone who shows interest in baby yoga, I look forward to expanding my knowledge and teaching’. “It’s never too late, there is always a way” (a Birthlight nugget of wisdom). Thank you guys so much.’
— Shannon Fierke, Baby Yoga course 2016.
Toddler Yoga Training Course (Short Course)
The Toddler Yoga training course bridges the gap between Baby Yoga and Kids yoga. Rhythmical practices from Baby Yoga 1-2 are revisited and adapted for busy toddlers with songs, stories and props. Dynamic group practices alternate with interactive parent-toddler sequences and quiet relaxation times.
COURSE OUTLINE
Course contents include:
- How to introduce yoga principles through a repertoire of movements and stretching for toddlers/ early years children
- Fundamentals of development in the early years
- Importance of family dynamics for the ‘social toddler’
- How to sequence exercises, songs and rhymes, and relaxation in appropriate
- time slots to suit toddlers’ attention span
- Use of props
- Story telling with movement and sensory integration
- Verbal and hands on assists for adult-toddler pairs
You will also learn:
- How to prepare class materials with clear teaching points and props lists
- Non-prescriptive teaching methods allowing individual and group creativity
- Tips to engage ‘grown ups’ fully in the interactive practices taught
- How to balance repetition and variety for best early years learning
- Tips to teach in an uplifting but also calm and structured way
WHO CAN ATTEND THIS COURSE
- Baby Yoga teachers who wish to expand their activities with toddlers
- Health professionals (who work with babies and toddlers (nursery & family nurses, health visitors)
- Baby Yoga teachers who wish to expand their activities with toddlers
- Children centres’ staff (such as Sure Start Staff)
- Early Years professionals
- Instructors in yoga for children
- Practitioners of complementary therapies who work with babies and young children
Note: If you have not already trained with Birthlight in Baby Yoga, you will need to complete a bridging module (online).
FORMAT AND DURATION
There are currently two formats:
- In its Fully Live Online format, the course is delivered live by a Birthlight training tutor in livestream Zoom sessions amounting to 2 contact days. This includes an online course component (e.g. online reading, quizzes, etc). More explanation of formats is contained on the FAQ page.
- The Face-to-face format is face-to-face over two days. This includes an online course component (e.g. online reading, quizzes, etc). More explanation of formats (e.g. blended, face-to-face, etc) is contained on the FAQ page.
Study materials include:
- a comprehensive Toddler Yoga manual given at the start of the course
- explainer videos
- model class plans and recorded sequences
- substantial online resources through our online course component (e.g. online reading, quizzes, etc)
ASSESSMENT
You will be assessed continually with quizzes and informal practicals through the course. To gain your teaching certification, you will need to submit a recorded video (10 minutes) of your teaching as specified by the course tutor. This video is to be sent to your tutor within six months.
QUALIFICATION ACHIEVED
On successful completion of the online assessments and teaching video, course participants receive a Birthlight Toddler Yoga certificate to teach Toddler Yoga classes for children from 18 months to 4 years with their parents or with adult carers.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE
I really enjoyed participating in Birthlight’s training. The atmosphere was relaxed, fun and supportive. I felt our tutor flexed the classes to suit as a group our needs, was patient and also inspiring. I feel I was given tools and advice to arm me with everything I need to start to build my class plans. I’m so glad I was recommended Birthlight.
— Emily, Toddler Yoga, March 2023 with Emma Philip
After finishing the baby Yoga course I thought a lot about toddler yoga. In the last moment I decided to participate in this course and it was a decision I do not regret. Even though I had completely different expectations than the course turned out to be it was great! Even better than I expected. I’m so much looking forward to give my first classes because it was so much fun organising and imagining a class during the course that I want to repeat it “for real”. Thank you so much!
— Simone, Toddler Yoga, April 2021, Emma Philip
“Really enjoyed this toddler yoga training with Emma who is a wonderful tutor who guides and explains all elements of the course. My background is in childcare so was a little nervous doing the course but Emma soon put me at ease and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
— Participant, Toddler Yoga, September 2021, Emma Philip
Very well balanced, we were given plenty of opportunities to practise teaching.
— Participant, Toddler Yoga, September 2021 with Emma Philip
I felt that this course was very interesting. It was delivered with fun and Emma was so professional and helpful, I really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed doing this course and have gained lots of skills and confidence to bring to the children
The balance between theory and practice was excellent, I learnt the reasons on why we were/should do certain things/activities, and that made it easier to put it into practice.
I found it very well done considering it was over zoom, and lasted for 3 hours each session. Emma was able to keep things interesting while keeping everyone involved attentive.
— Participants, Toddler Yoga, November 2021 with Emma Philip
Special Baby & Toddler Yoga Short Course / CPD
This CPD equips teachers with adaptations of Baby Yoga and Toddler Yoga to assist the development of babies and small children who have special and/or additional needs. This CPD was developed by Jay Ehrlich for Birthlight. Within a supportive circle, parents can experience recreation and relaxation. Joyful, positive body-based interactions between special babies and their parents enhance family wellbeing.
COURSE OUTLINE
Course contents include:
- Fundamentals of the most common conditions that reduce babies and toddlers’ range of movement (cerebral palsy, spina bifida, Downs syndrome, talipes, cardiac problems)
- Fundamentals of sight and hearing impairments and how they affect
- babies and toddlers, with yoga as a multisensory enhancer activity.
- Adjustments of Baby Yoga movements for containing and calming
- or for toning and energising
- Cautions to avoid overextension for babies/toddlers affected by hypermobility
- How to assist parents in protecting their backs while handling
- heavy babies and toddlers
- Yoga-based interactive practices to promote communication and play
- ‘Yoga from the heart’ techniques to assist parents in discovering
- or enhancing the potential of their special babies and toddlers
- How to address special babies and toddlers’ individual needs
- in a group while engaging them in collective practices
- How to integrate special babies and toddlers in mixed Baby Yoga and Toddler Yoga classes for the benefit of all
- Yoga practices to uplift parents who get discouraged and exhausted from day to day care of their special babies and children
WHO CAN ATTEND THIS COURSE
Besides Baby Yoga teachers who wish to expand their activities with Special Babies and Toddlers, the course is open to:
- Health professionals (who work with babies and toddlers (nursery & family nurses, health visitors)
- Children centres’ staff (such as Sure Start Staff)
- Early Years professionals
- Instructors in yoga for children
- Practitioners of complementary therapies who work with babies and young children
Note: If you have not already trained with Birthlight in Baby Yoga, you will need to complete a bridging module (online).
FORMAT & DURATION
This course could be delivered in any one off the following formats:
- Livestream – this consists of a livestream Zoom meeting with a live tutor.
- Livestream Blended – this consists of a livestream Zoom meeting with a live tutor and an online learning component on this website (e.g. online readings, videos, quizzes, etc)
- Face-to-face Blended format by a Birthlight training tutor in four modules over two days of face-to-face contact with an online course component (online reading assignments, quizzes, etc).
More explanation of course formats (e.g. blended, face-to-face) is on our FAQ page.
Study materials include:
- a digital manual
- explainer videos and a slide presentation
- class recordings and model plans
ASSESSMENT
Each one of the 4 90 minute sessions in the online day is followed by a breakout room and discussion. The CPD is assessed with a quizz and an informal practical at the end of the day.If you need more points to gain your certification, you will receive guidance from your course tutor.
QUALIFICATION
On successful completion of the CPD you will receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Yoga for Special Babies and Toddlers. This certificate entitles Baby Yoga teachers and Toddler Yoga teachers to include special baby/parent pairs in mixed classes and to develop one to one yoga sessions for special parent/baby pairs. Other professionals are entitled to add yoga practices taught on the day to their caring activities with special baby and early years children.
This CPD has a 12 hours credit.
WHAT STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE
“Inspiring, educational, social, enlightening, welcoming”
— Participant (on Jay’s Yoga with Special Babies course, December 2020, UK)