Yogitimes Magazine: 10 Itsy Bitsy Yoga Facilitators in the LA/San Diego area just completed their training and are offering classes starting in September.

		The West Coast Yoga Magazine September 2003
	By Sophie Parienti Itsy Bitsy Yoga! 10 Itsy Bitsy Yoga Facilitators in the LA/San Diego area just completed their training and are offering classes starting in September. Helen Garabedian, Infant Developmental Movement Educator, Certified Yoga Teacher and Founder of Itsy Bitsy Yoga believes that over 5000 years ago when yoga was first developing, the yoga masters studied the movements of babies to create yoga postures or asanas. Through the practice of yoga, adults are returning to the unrestricted innocence and bliss of an infant. In a sense, yoga for babies has always existed. Yoga is a part of what babies do naturally. However, the natural existence for babies is being reduced with the excessive, overuse of confining babyholding devices such as infant car seats, walkers, seated activity centers, and strollers. Itsy Bitsy Yoga is one of the first programs to focus on the baby or toddler’s exploration of yoga, developmental movement and parent/child bonding. IBY founder, Helen Garabedian has spent years examining Hatha Yoga postures with the intention of readapting it for the non-verbal baby to do with or without a parent’s help. The result of her extensive research and experience in teaching yoga to thousands of babies and toddlers (with a parent) is shared in Itsy Bitsy Yoga Facilitator training nationwide. Over seventy five unique yoga postures and techniques have been designed by Helen Garabedian to specifically soothe and support the development of a baby’s body. Yoga unites and helps deepen the bond between parent and child. For babies from 3 weeks old to pre-crawling Itsy Bitsy Yoga offers a calming and nurturing yoga class designed to help babies unfold their motor skills, sleep better, be happier, and digest with ease. The Toddlers’ yoga class is similar to the Baby class, except it matches the freedom and activity that is appropriate for almost crawling babies up to those 24 months of age. Helen Garabedian’s forthcoming book is titled “Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger.” It will be release in April 2004 by Fireside/Simon & Schuster. What is Itsy Bitsy Yoga? ° Benefits of Yoga for Babies, Toddlers and their Parents Facilitator Training & Certification ° The Book ° Itsy Bitsy Yoga Classes ° Helen's Classes & Schedule Special Events ° Itsy Bitsy Yoga Boutique ° Photo Gallery About Helen Garabedian ° Newsletter ° Press ° Contact Us