About Itsy Bitsy Yoga International
Itsy Bitsy Yoga® is a development-based yoga program for babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.  This unique program includes over 150 yoga poses, songs, and developmental activities created by Helen Garabedian. In 1999, this Boston-based company was established and presently boasts hundreds of class locations in over 12 countries.  Helen Garabedian’s first book, Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better and Grow Stronger (Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 2004) is a perennial best-seller and a top ten ‘sleep’ book in the children’s health category on Amazon.com.  Pottery Barn Kids is one of the many fine retail outlets where the Itsy Bitsy Yoga book is sold. In late 2007, Helen launched her award-winning Itsy Bitsy Yoga DVD line (earning her The Parent’s Choice Foundation award and The National Center for Parenting Seal of Approval, 2008.) Helen has partnered with ‘iPlay Baby Wear’ to produce an IBY-branded organic line of baby yoga clothing and yoga mats that are sold nationwide at Nordstrom and many Whole Foods locations.  Helen’s 2nd book, Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers and Preschoolers: 8-Minute Routines to Help Your Child Grow Smarter, Be Happier, and Behave Better (DeCapo Lifelong/Perseus Books) was released in March 2008 and is considered essential to assist parents in dealing with tantrums, sleep problems, and ensures an active, healthy lifestyle for their young.

Helen Garabedian founded Itsy Bitsy Yoga as a way to bring like-minded moms together with their young children. From there grew what marketers now call the ‘Yoga Mom’ segment.  Helen Garabedian is a seasoned spokesperson and media professional and she has shared her persona, influence, and expertise with companies such as Nike, The First Years, Similac Organic, Parent‘s Products, Lululemon, Dr. Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby Educator program, Kripalu, and The Greenhouse Spa. Helen is interviewed regularly by TV networks and the print media.  Helen and Itsy Bitsy Yoga have been featured on CNN, MSNBC, CBS News, Fox, NBC, ABC, The Animal Planet, BBC Radio, and in People, Parenting, American Baby, Parents, Child, Yoga Journal, Shape, Reader’s Digest, Fortune Small Business, Oxygen, the AP Newswire, USA Today, the Boston Globe, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and many more! 

Why Yoga for Babies, Toddlers & Preschoolers?
Helen Garabedian’s motto is “Fit baby=Fit toddler= Fit child=Fit teen=Fit adult.” Experts agree that good health and exercise habits need to be established at an early age. The first-ever physical activity guidelines for children from birth to age 5 were set forth in 2002 by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE). The NASPE guidelines state, “Infants should interact with parents and/or caregivers in daily physical activities that promote and help facilitate the development of an infant’s movement skills.”  According to NASPE, “Toddlers should accumulate at least 30 minutes daily of structured physical activity; preschoolers at least 60 minutes. Toddlers and preschoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes and up to several hours per day of daily, unstructured physical activity.” The problem is research shows most babies, toddlers, and young children do not meet these daily exercise requirements. Children need to build a solid physical repertoire during infancy and toddler-hood in order to grow a life-long appreciation of good health and a desire to participate in physical activity.  With childhood obesity reaching epidemic portions, Itsy Bitsy Yoga offers parents a safe and fun way to exercise with their young.  No previous experience in yoga is necessary to enjoy the effectiveness of the playful and structured program designed to deepen the parent/child bond and promote physical health. 

Benefits of Itsy Bitsy Yoga® include:
•           Longer and sounder sleep
•           Improvement in digestion system and relief of gas pains
•           Stops fussiness and diverts tantrums
•           Substantial improvements in a child’s motor, social, and             cognitive development
•           Builds self-esteem and positive body awareness
•           Gain relaxation techniques
•           Encourages parent/child bonding
•           Promotes a healthy family lifestyle