More than Yoga: The mum and baby space you didn't know you needed

At My Yogi Tribe we have always run our classes a little differently from the usual yoga classes out there. Why? Because community is really important to us and so we build each of our classes around that.

Mum and Baby Yoga is not only about moving your bodies, moving your baby's bodies but also about creating a network of support for mums. Motherhood is such a huge time of your lives, whether it's your first time or 4th time its crazy and wonderful and so so hard all at the same time.

We understand how daunting it can be going out to a new class, perhaps you don't know anyone, or you have a velcro baby, or you get flustered when they cry or need changing or get hungry.

My Yogi Tribe's mum and baby yoga classes are always baby led. Meaning you do whatever you need to do to meet your baby's needs and you dip in and out the class as and when you can. Some weeks perhaps you join in the whole thing, other weeks you might spend the whole time feeding.

We have different sections to our class, usually we start with around 15 minutes of baby yoga. Most of the time the babies love this part - it's the part that get's done the most. Then we move onto breathing and pelvic floor work for you. We also have postnatal yoga to help you stretch but also start to rebuild your strength. Sometimes we include the babies in the postures, sometimes if they are settled we'll do it without them. We have a relaxation section where we read you a poem and play you a song while you cuddle with your babies and then we end with everyone's favourite part - tea and biscuits. We have 30 minutes at the end where we encourage you to talk to each other and begin to build friendships.

Sammi and I are very experienced at reading the room with these classes. If the majority of babies are all asleep or settled at the start we switch it up to start with postnatal yoga, if all the babies are crying when it's time for the postnatal yoga we'll switch to moves that incorporate the babies so they are still involved. We will often come and take your baby for you, giving them cuddles while we instruct the yoga so you can actually get some done. Sometimes all the babies cry while I'm trying to read you a beautiful poem during relaxation - we just skip it and start tea and biscuits earlier!

When you do get to join in the yoga sections you get an well needed stretch to ease out those tight shoulders and backs from feeding and carrying. You'll learn a few different breathing techniques to help you regulate your nervous system in the middle of the night when you're up for the 5th time. There's also access to online videos you can do at home if you find yourself at a loose end during a nap!

New mums love this class so much because there is no pressure to join in all the time, that's why it's more than just yoga. It's about giving you a space where you can build your confidence with your new baby and meet your mum tribe.