Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga

Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga, produced by Gaiam Americas in 2003, is an engaging, enlightening and empowering registered yoga video specially designed for new mothers and their babies. The show's insightful and attuned presentation seeks to help mothers reclaim their bodies after pregnancy and childbirth, foster a deep bond with their newborns, and lays a strong foundation for the child's healthy development. With renowned yoga instructor, Shiva Rea, guiding the practice, the participants are meticulously led through a series of nourishing, relaxing, and restorative poses and sequences.

Developing strength, flexibility, and endurance is an inherent part of the postnatal recovery process, and this program has been strategically planned to help mothers regain their physical conditioning in a measured and safe manner. Shiva Rea brings her years of experience and extensive knowledge into the show, introducing poses that focus on the pelvic floor, core, and overall body strength. Carefully modulated to accommodate a postnatal body, the exercises ensure that mothers gradually and safely transition back to their pre-pregnancy fitness levels.

The primary driving force of Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga is the sublime bonding experience it facilitates between the mother and child. Emphasizing touch, sound, and movement, the program draws on the principles of infant developmental movement and fosters the evolvement of the mother-child relationship. The bonding yoga sequences not only aid in the development of the baby's motor skills but also create a peaceful and gentle environment where mother and baby communicate and connect at a deeper level.

The program also pays significant attention to the mental and emotional well-being of new mothers. Shiva guides participants through gentle breathing exercises and calming relaxation techniques designed to alleviate stress and anxiety. These mindfulness practices encourage mothers to find peace and stillness amidst the adjustments and sleep deprivation that often follow the arrival of a newborn. It carves out moments of tranquility and presence in the whirlwind of new parenthood, allowing mothers to engage mindfully and joyfully with their infant and the world around them.

Through this program, Shiva Rea emphasizes the idea of yoga as a holistic approach to wellness that comprises more than just challenging physical exercises. The practical sessions of Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga are interspersed with Shiva sharing personal experiences, anecdotes, and useful tips on how yoga can be seamlessly integrated into daily routines to make motherhood a more grounded and fulfilling journey. A particularly appealing aspect of the program is its flexibility. No matter the level of yoga expertise or physical fitness, mothers can adjust the intensity of sessions to suit their comfort, making the program accessible for everyone.

Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga does not merely concentrate on the mother's fitness or the baby's physical development in isolation. It infuses the wisdom of yoga with the essence of human connection and mindfulness, creating a nurturing and nourishing space for the organic development of both mother and baby. While the physical exercises help redefine the mother's postnatal body and introduce the baby to a world of movements, the mindfulness exercises shape a psychologically sound space fostering growth, connection, and calm.

In a way, the show approaches motherhood essentially as a new chapter to be explored and discovered with the utmost kindness and patience. It is a wonderfully compassionate and body-positive show that encourages mothers to navigate the journey at their pace, celebrating every step of the path with love, warmth, and a sense of shared experience.

The show’s production values faithfully mirror its core spirit – calm, soothing, and supremely comforting. The visual aesthetic is pleasing and relaxing, combined with the tranquil background scores only enhance the overall ambiance of the show.

Shiva Rea's Mama & Baby Yoga, is more than just a yoga instructional video series; it's a journey of self-discovery, a journey of love, and a celebration of the deep, instinctual bond between a mother and her baby. Ultimately, it’s an insightful guide that supports new mothers in their path toward holistic well-being – nurturing their bodies, their minds and the early bond with their child – in the gentle art and science of yoga.