About Itsy Bitsy Yoga^®

Itsy Bitsy Yoga^® is an internationally-recognized, loving, child-centered program that helps parents better understand their young children's physical development, needs and abilities through yoga.  Through gentle IBY poses, songs and activities, parents and young children can develop a deeper bond. Babies as young as 3 weeks and children as old as 4 years can enjoy the structured one-on-one interaction IBY provides them and their parents/caregivers. There are nearly 125 yogic and developmentally sound activities created and adapted by Helen Garabedian, Infant Developmental Movement Educator, Registered Yoga Teacher and founder of IBY, to enhance the lives of new families.

Are you wondering if yoga is safe for babies? According to pediatricians and nurses, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" IBY is safe, gentle and very effective when done with instruction at home or in a class setting. The parent/caregiver is responsible for carrying out all of the baby's yoga movements until the baby is walking. In the more active program for Tots, parents/caregivers are there to support and assist their toddler into yoga poses whenever necessary. Parents/Caregivers also enjoy the time to practice yoga poses while letting their children imitate and explore yoga on their own two feet.

For spirited babies, IBY includes a number of "Magic Poses" that can literally calm crying in seconds when practiced with the right intensity.

In Itsy Bitsy Yoga® classes you will learn poses that:

• Promote parent & child bonding in a relaxed environment
• Help your baby sleep longer & better
• Improve your baby’s digestion & ease gas pains
• Calm a fussy or crying baby almost immediately utilizing the IBY Magic Poses™
• Create a supportive parenting community
• Give you a better understanding of your child’s developmental movements through the exploration of yoga
• Encourage your child to develop a healthy body, happy confident awareness & creative spirit
• Foster nurturing & memorable moments in & outside of class with IBY Sing & Do™ techniques & Rhymes

Baby & Tot Benefits

• Better & longer sleep
• Improved digestion & ease of gas pains
• Relief from fussiness & colic
• Neuromuscular-development
• Strengthens the immune system
• Better regulated emotions
• Positive body image & increased self-confidence

Tyke Benefits

• Improved body-awareness & physical confidence
• Deepening of the parent & child or sibling bond (relationship)
• An outlet for social interaction & self-expression
• Increased self-esteem
• Playful ways for Tykes to relax in an increasingly stress-filled world
• Builds a fit & healthy lifestyle in a bid to counter childhood obesity

Parent Benefits

• Parent/Child bonding
• Better sleep for mom & dad
• Learn to calm your baby
• Builds parental confidence
• Reduced stress & anxiety
• Special activity for later children of a family
• Meaningful & structured physical activity

About Helen

Helen Garabedian, RYT, is an innovator in specialty yoga with children. As a Certified Hatha Yoga Teacher, Certified Infant Developmental Movement Educator, USUI Reiki Master, IAIM Certified Infant Massage Instructor, Certified Pregnancy Yoga Teacher and Level One Brain Gym graduate, she is a master in her field. In 1999, Helen founded the Itsy Bitsy Yoga® program as a way to bond with her future children, aid in their physical/social/emotional development, and help new parents connect with other parents with similar interests.

Helen has studied under Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block, and helped with the initial development of the Happiest Baby Educator program.  Helen’s expertise has also been contracted by The First Years, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and marketer of infant and toddler products.

Helen is the author of a book on yoga for babies and toddlers called Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger. Her book can be purchased in stores nationwide and can be ordered now at Amazon.com.  Her next book which focuses on yoga for Tykes, will be released during the Fall of 2007.

Press

HYPERLINK Watch Video of "Crazy Over Itsy Bitsy Yoga" with Helen Garabedian on Fox 25 News

The IBY program has been featured in Parents Magazine, Yoga Journal, USA Today, ABC, CBS, NBC News, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, People Magazine and many other media outlets! Click here to view the coverage.