Finding Strength and Connection in Baby & Me Yoga

By Alessandra Pane

Last July I gave birth to my beautiful daughter. I had a great pregnancy, but did not have the birth I imagined, or hoped for. In the first several months of postpartum life I found myself highly anxious, struggling to feel confident leaving the house alone with the baby.

Pre-baby I was very active, social and always out of the house. This was a big adjustment for me. Full time, I work as a psychotherapist, focusing on children, adolescents, and young adults, many of whom struggle with anxiety, so I knew that the only way to overcome this fear was to get exposure, experience.

Once cleared to exercise, I was ready to get back into one of my biggest coping mechanisms, yoga. I was also itching to get out of the house. I had been inside so much so that my eyes hurt from the sun when I stepped outside! When I discovered that the Alliance Center was offering a Baby & Me yoga class I loved the idea of practicing with my baby, especially because I couldn’t imagine finding the time to practice on my own at home.

I was met by a warm, sweet teacher, Ali, who brought her son with her to teach my first class. I felt like I was in a home away from home, instantly feeling comfortable. It was so nice to connect with another mom, move my body and breathe. It reminded me that interruptions are okay. I stopped to change a diaper, feed baby AND could return to the practice, just like the practice of returning to the breath when a thought distracts me. It also helped me to realize that moving my body could be entertainment for my daughter, she was fascinated by me stretching. She also loved seeing other babies!

I attended the new mom support group, which takes place right after yoga class, and enjoyed having a space to share, listen and reflect with other new moms on the highs and lows of adjusting to motherhood. It made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my feelings. I attended classes regularly until my maternity leave ended and became more and more comfortable and confident to explore other new places with my baby.

Towards the end of last year, I was asked to teach Baby & Me yoga class at The Alliance Center. Extremely excited and honored to have the opportunity to give back what was given to me during a really vulnerable time in my life, I said yes! After over seven months of teaching this special class, I look forward every week to connecting, moving and breathing with new moms and their babies. It’s incredible to see not only the babies grow, but the mothers grow as well in so many beautiful ways.

I believe connection is so important postpartum, with yourself and with other moms, and that’s what this class is all about. You are not alone, there is a community here that we are building of mindful mamas.