4 Week In Person classes September 27th to October 18th November 15th to December 6th
Contact Diksha for more information and registration!
What is the class like?
Diksha's classes are taught over 4 weeks, to give both the parent and baby time to learn and become comfortable with the massage. Each week parents learn strokes for a new part of the body while reviewing strokes from previous classes. So new strokes are learned, and previous information is reinforced. Diksha will teach a little at a time to ensure that you are confident with every aspect and your baby doesn’t get overstimulated. Each class will be 1-1.5 hours! The strokes and styles of baby massage are easier to grasp when demonstrated by an experienced instructor. Pressure, rate, rhythm, the length of the massage, respect, bonding, why baby cries, baby’s body language, positioning of the baby, relaxation and parent empowerment are some of the skills and topics that will be discussed.
Classes are held in small groups with 7 to 10 families, to ensure personalized attention. Classes are baby led. In Diksha's (Deek-sha) classes, it’s okay for babies to cry! Supportive group sessions where parents can share experiences and learn from each other while having fun. Recommended age for group classes is from birth to sitting.
In Person Classes are $100 for 4 Classes 1 hours each. Resister 3 weeks before class start, or bring a friend to receive a $10 discount! Virtual Classes are $65 for 4 Classes, 1 hour each.
Classes are taught at True Self Yoga and virtual via ZOOM
Infant Massage offers many benefits to both, your baby and you!
Infant Massage is an age-old tradition that has been passed down from mother to daughter since the beginning of time.
“Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant. Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins, and proteins.” Dr. Frederick Laboyer
Benefits of Infant Massage for Baby
Increased infant-parent attachment or "bonding"
Relaxation
Helps baby feel loved
Promotes better sleep
Facilitates body awareness
Boosts immune system
Sensory stimulation
Improves skin condition
Improves blood circulation
Helps digestion
Balances respiration
Relief for teething pains
Help waste elimination
Helps build parents’ and baby’s self-esteem
Pleasurable experience
Stimulates production of oxytocin (Oxytocin is a hormone which can be produced by both male and female persons during massage. It is useful as a pain reliever and has a calming effect on the person.)
Benefits of Infant Massage for Parents
Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.
Parents learn to understand and respond to baby’s cues.
Parents learn techniques to comfort, calm and soothe their babies.
Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.
Helps parents learn about their baby (their needs and desires)
Relaxes parents
Infant Massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.
Infant Massage provides these benefits in 4 distinct ways Stimulation to all the systems of the body, especially the:
Nervous system
Circulatory system
Respiratory System
Elimination System
Immune System
Stimulation of the release of oxytocin, known as the cuddle hormone (released in both parent and child), prolactin (promoting milk production in the mother), and other endorphins. Reduces muscle stiffness and normalizes muscle tone.
Relaxation
Helps relieve tension built up from stimulation in the baby’s environment
Helps babies handle sensory stimulation and respond in a relaxed manner
Helps babies sleep better
Helps regulate sleep/wake cycle
Relief
Touch combined with vocalization helps reduce pain levels up to 80%
Helps tone digestive tract
Helps alleviate gas and promote elimination
Releases hormones for food absorption.
Releases endorphins, natural pain killers, to ease emotional distress
“Bonding is a unique relationship between two people. It is specific and endures through time.” M. Klaus
Bonding and Attachment
Infant massage draws on all the elements of bonding and attachment
Eye-to-eye and skin-to-skin contact, body scent, vocalization, taste, responsiveness
Hormones stimulated by infant massage promote bonding and attachment between parent and baby
Enjoy the many benefits of massaging your baby and meet other new parents!
I recently took Diksha's infant massage class and had a wonderful experience! She created a really safe and loving environment for all the parents to enjoy with their little ones. My son would wiggle with excitement when class started, and then eventually relax toward the end of class. After the first class we took, he slept for a record-breaking 8 hours that night! I thought it might be a fluke, but he continued to sleep soundly on the days that I practiced at home, too. As a first time parent, it was so comforting to spend time in a room with other mamas and babies. There were outbursts of crying, many interruptions for nursing, but above all else, a lot of sweet interaction with the babies. I hope Diksha continues to teach this class because I'd love to take it again with my future kiddos. Diksha, you are truly delightful and such a joy to spend time with. Thanks for sharing your beautiful knowledge! ~Laura V.
"Baby Robinson and I loved Diksha's infant massage class. The gradual learning made it easy to remember what I had learned, and practice on baby between sessions - getting him more used to the process as we went. We appreciated the handouts and massage oil, and loved meeting new mamas along the way. True Self Yoga is a comfortable venue for the class, and I'm sure I'll be going back there for some postpartum yoga. Thank you Diksha for showing me more ways to connect with my little one and help him feel relaxed and loved!" ~ Katie H.