Midlothian baby yoga classes in the great outdoors

Claire Houston teaches baby massage and baby yoga classes in Midlothian and has recently launched a new class called Forest Babies.

She explains: “In the summer, before indoor classes could resume, I ran a number of Baby Yoga in the Garden outdoor sessions.

“Following their success, and with increasing restrictions on indoor classes, Forest Babies was created.

“I always do my own yoga practice in the garden and I can’t quite believe it took a global pandemic and restrictions on indoor activities for me to think about taking Baby Yoga outside.

“It has been really inspiring seeing other local businesses diversify to rise to the various challenges of 2020 and this spurred me on to try to do something a little bit different too.”

During Forest Babies sessions, baby wearing parents enjoy a short walk to a beautiful clearing in the forest where the peace and tranquillity is properly appreciated with some ‘forest bathing’ and mindfulness.

Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is an ancient Japanese tradition of being calm and quiet amongst the trees.

Observing nature whilst breathing deeply reduces stress whilst being mindful in the forest allows one to notice and appreciate the details of the natural surroundings, leaving busy thoughts behind.

Outdoor Baby Yoga activities are really special as parent and baby exercise and relax together.

From boosting our moods to alleviating feelings of fatigue, the benefits of being in nature are numerous and far reaching.

We can all benefit from taking time out from busy life, slow down and really enjoy the world around us.

Parents have said that Forest Babies was “very relaxing and soothing” and “something totally different which I wouldn’t usually have time to do”.

Forest Babies sessions will continue to run over the winter – as long as the weather is kind!

More information can be found by visiting www.clairehoustonbabymassage.com or on Facebook by searching Claire Houston Massage and Yoga.