(712) 256-2561   300 W. Broadway, Suite 712, Council Bluffs IA 51503
Located in the southwest corner of the Omni Centre in downtown Council Bluffs

This page is being updated.  Please check back often.

Learn and practice these yoga practice tips with a certified yoga instructor!

Click HERE or scroll down for GENTLE YOGA CLASS

Click HERE or scroll down for BABY AND ME YOGA CLASS

Click HERE for INFANT MASSAGE

Click HERE for BREATHING TECHNIQUES

YOGA PRACTICE TIPS

• Stay aware; don’t go subconscious.
• When entering a neutral pose after some other asana, focus first on relaxing the body parts that were stretched or exerted in that asana (pose).  (If any body parts are feeling tense or tired, you may wish to begin by inhaling and tensing them, then exhaling and relaxing them.)  Then proceed to a more general inward and upward relaxation.
• Consciously use the breath, sweeping through the body to collect stray energy, and bringing that energy up to the brain. 
• Lift your gaze (behind closed eyelids) to the 6^th. chakra point; do your “relaxation work” with your awareness emanating from that point.
• Stay in the pose at least until breathing and heartbeat return to normal.

Practice Tips for Standing Poses:

·  Warm up thoroughly, especially the hips and spine.  

·   Move from your center outward, and hold from your center outward.

·   Avoid hardening the body or mind.

·   Breathe slowly, evenly, and smoothly.

·   Begin alignment by becoming aware of and stabilizing the feet.

·   Keep the legs and feet consciously engaged at all times.  Use the lower body as a stabilizing and lifting influence, not just something that has to work to hold you up.

·   Use the upper body as an opening, elevating influence, not just something that “goes along for the ride.”

·   Concentrate on energy flow, not on physical effort.

Practice Tips for Forward Bend Poses:

·   Whether you are standing, sitting, supine (lying on your back), or inverted (head below heart), the actual bending movement in a forward bend is focused in the hip joints, not in the spine.  Any bending that takes placed in the spine should only be through relaxation.

·   Limiting Factors in Forward Bends:  Mistakenly thinking that the goal of forward bends is to bend as far forward as possible, many students ignore the spine (except when it hurts) and focus more on what limits their progress in the pose:  primarily, tightness in the backs of the thighs (hamstring muscles).  They try ever harder to lengthen the hamstrings, often through force.  Hamstring muscles attach to the back of the pelvis at the “sitbones,” extend down the back of the leg, and insert on both sides of the leg just below the knee.  Their functions are flexion of the knee and extension of the hip joint.  Unfortunately, many activities (e.g., running) as well as inactivity (e.g., desk jobs) cause the hamstrings to shorten and tighten over time.  Then as you bend forward, the hamstrings soon begin to prevent the pelvis from rotating (tipping) farther forward along with the upper spine; if you keep going forward after that point, you’ll be bending forward from the waist, not from the hips.  This causes the lumbar spine (which connects to the pelvis via the sacrum at the sacroiliac joint) to bow backward, diminishing or even reversing its natural curve.  If you are using excessive force to make “progress,” this reversal may dangerously compress the intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine, or pinch nerves as they exit the spinal column. 

·   Hamstrings are not the only limiting factor in forward bends.  Tightness in the external rotators of the hips, the spinal erectors and other “back muscles” can also hamper forward bending.  Thus, in warming up for forward bends, it is advisable to warm up not only the hamstrings, but the back muscles and the muscles in the hip region.  When doing a seated forward bend, you may want to place a cushion under the sitbones to tilt the rim of the pelvis forward, helping to maintain the natural curves of the spinal column as you move forward into the asana.  (This is especially useful, and usually essential, for beginners.)  If a high cushion is used, you may also need to place a cushion under the knees to prevent hyperextension of the knees.

·   To bend or not to bend?  Instead of rounding the spine to stretch farther into a forward bend, it’s safer to maintain the natural curves of the spine and bend forward from the hips, not the waist.  When you reach the point where the lumbar spine begins to bow backward as you actively bend forward, come out of the stretch enough to recapture the natural curves.  From that point on, so long as there is any sense of actively increasing the forward bend, let your movement be governed solely by your ability to relax and lengthen the hamstrings (and other limiting muscle groups).  This will allow you to maintain the natural spinal curves. 

·   Is it ever safe to round the lumbar spine backward?  Yes.  In fact it’s important to stretch the spine in all directions.  If we don’t, we will eventually lessen both the flexibility and health of the spine.  Use caution, however, because it’s safe to allow the spine to round only if:  (1)  The spine is healthy and there is no discomfort.  (For some conditions – e.g., a bulging or herniated disc – one would definitely not want to lose the natural curves.  (2)  One maintains conscious awareness of what is happening with the spine.  (3)  Rounding is slight and happens only as a result of relaxation, of softening – not of straining to go farther into the forward bend.

·   To help keep the spine not only safe but open and relaxed, lengthen the spine with an inhalation before relaxing forward on an exhalation. 

To have a FREE postural analysis, please call us today to set up your FREE chiropractic consultation with no obligation.

GENTLE YOGA CLASS:  "Ananda Yoga for Higher Awareness"  (Key Principles):
1.  The way you get into a posture and out of it is as important as the posture itself.  Move deliberately, slowly, and gracefully as though you were performing a graceful dance gesture.

2.  The order in which you practice the postures is important.  Suggested order:  Breathing and centering exercises first, then standing poses, then seated poses, floor stretches, inverted poses, and finally deep relaxation.

3.  The pauses in between the poses are also as important as the postures themselves.  The pauses should be a time of mini-meditation, when you center, focus, and allow your body to integrate the previous stretch.  As a general rule you pause between the postures for the same amount of time that you did the posture.  It is best not to jump rapidly from one posture to another.

4.  Affirmations:  For most of the basic postures there is an affirmation.  Example:  Chandrasana, the moon pose:  "Strength and courage fill my body cells."  They are generally repeated mentally while you are in the posture.

5.  Breathing exercises (pranayama).  Doing a few breathing exercises before doing the postures, as well as using inhalation and exhalation to get into and out of the postures, are helpful additions to the postures.  Using the breath to relax into a pose is important also -- when you have gone into a stretch, begin relaxing and "breathing into" the postures, that is, every time you exhale let your exhalation relax you just a fraction further into the pose.

6.  Safety precautions.  Never strain or over-stretch.  Go to the point where you feel the stretch and then begin relaxing into the pose.  Relaxation will accomplish so much more than stress and strain and will help to avoid injury and sore muscles.  Use your common sense and don't hurt yourself with a sense of competition with others or even with yourself.  Pride of body or super flexibility should have no place or meaning in yoga.  You don't have to look like your teacher, another student, or the pictures in yoga books, to receive great benefit from the postures.  Also use special precautions as needed for conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnancy, severe back, neck or knee injuries.  Most postures can be modified to accommodate any age or level of physical ability.  Check with a certified yoga instructor!

In June of 1995, for their special 20th. anniversary issue, Yoga Journal published an article entitled "Wisdom of the Masters."  Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters, the founder of Ananda and of Ananda's system of Ananda Yoga Postures for Higher Awareness) and fourteen other prominent yoga teachers were asked, "Given the increasing popularity of yoga, what single piece of advice would you give the beginning student?"  This is Swami Kriyananda's response:  "The meaning of yoga is 'union,' which is one way of saying, perfect self-integration.  Your true goal, as a yoga student, is not someone else's praise, approval, or support.  Nor should your fear be anyone's blame, disapproval, or abandonment.  The goal is perhaps best illustrated in this way - someone asked me once, 'Which is the best yoga posture?' 'It is," I replied, "to stand firmly on your own two feet!"

Respect yoga tradition; there is great wisdom behind it.  Respect your teacher as a representative of that tradition, but be guided ultimately, by that which resonates with your own inner understanding.  Accept nothing that offends against that understanding.  Remember, willing cooperation is altogether different from surrendering your will.  You, ultimately, are the final measure of anything you will ever achieve on the path of yoga!"

BREATHING TECHNIQUES:

Diaphragmatic Breathing:  Sit upright.  Place hands on abdomen and observe, without changing, how you're breathing right now.  The diaphragm is a muscle.  As you draw air in, the diaphragm contracts (moves down).  Now visualize/feel the diaphragm descending as you inhale.  Feel your abdomen pushing out gently into your hands.  Exhale and feel the diaphragm moving upward, toward the chest ad your abdomen relaxing back in.  There are 3 phases that should flow together smoothly from one to the next.  INHALE filling FIRST YOUR ABDOMEN, then LOWER RIBS, then CHEST.  EXHALE slowly in reverse order:  CHEST, LOWER RIBS, ABDOMEN.  Remove your hands and breathe this way for a few minutes.

Alternate Nostril Breathing:  This is a breathing technique used in yoga.  Caution:  High blood pressure/cardiovascular problems.  If pregnant, never hold your breath.  Don't practice forced inhalations/exhalations.  The benefits of this pose are that it helps cleanse the body of toxins, including excess carbon dioxide.  It's an excellent practice for good health.  It's good for mental poise and inner awareness.
2 and 3 finger down.  Right thumb on right nostril.  #4 finger (ring finger) on left nostril.
1.  Press right nostril closed with right thumb.  Inhale through left to count of 8.
2.  Press left nostril closed with right ring finger, hold to count of 8.  (Both nostrils are closed for this.)
3.  Lift right thumb off right nostril and exhale through the right to count of 8.
4.  Immediately inhale through right nostril to count of 8.
5.  Press left nostril closed with right ring finger, hold to count of 8.  (Both nostrils are closed for this.)
6.  Lift  right ring finger off left nostril and exhale through the left to count of 8.
This is one cycle.  Do 5 cycles.

Alignment and Technique for Sitting Poses.

In a sitting position, the spine should be straight (natural curves) and the entire torso is open.  For many people, sitting cross-legged simply won't happen for them, and here's one reason why:  tight hips force the knees to be higher than the hips when they sit cross-legged.  Such people won't be able to keep a straight spine, breathe fully, or sit comfortably for long.  

Shamani teaches you how to sit on a cushion - or even two cushions - using additional cushions under both knees so they're not hanging in space.  If even then your knees remain higher than your hips, work more on opening your hips before sitting cross-legged - and in the meantime, meditate while sitting on a chair or meditation bench.

It's important also to recognize the anatomical pitfalls of sitting cross-legged before the hips have been opened sufficiently:  it's all too easy to rely on flexibility in the knee and outside of the ankle/foot to get yourself into the pose.  With adequate rotation in the hip joints, there will be little or no sideways bend in the knees or knee and ankle by overstretching certain outer ligaments.  (Remember, the knee is a hinge joint, not a ball-and-socket joint.)  Shamani encourages you to be patient.

PRACTICE TIPS FOR SITTING POSES:

Warm up the hips and (for most sitting poses) the hamstrings before practicing.

In cross-legged positions, you should feel your sitbones contacting the floor, cushion, or chair.

Keep your spine straight, the back of your neck long.  Keep the front of your torso open and relaxed to allow the breath to be full.  All this helps keep the body upright with much less strain than if you use your back muscles to keep the spine straight.

Keep your shoulders back, but relaxed.  One helpful way to do this is by placing the hands, palms up, at the junction of the thighs and abdomen.  The "palms up" position also promotes receptivity and it rotates your shoulders open more.

BENEFITS OF SITTING POSES:

Stretches the muscles around the hip joints.

Still the body for meditation.

Prevent, by exerting gentle pressures on the legs, an excessive amount of blood from accumulating in the legs.  Excess blood in the legs can cause discomfort and draw one's attention to the legs, away from meditation.

Calm the mind by exerting a  beneficial pressure on certain nerves, which induces greater mental steadiness.

CAUTIONS FOR SITTING POSES:

Be careful not to overstretch the ligaments on the outsides of the knees and ankles - use one or more cushions if necessary, or an alternative position.  Shamani will teach modified versions of poses for students that need it. 

While moving into a sitting pose, make sure all rotation of the leg comes from the hip joint, not from the knee and ankle.

Baby and Me Yoga Tips

This is a great six week class series for stronger, healthier babies.  STRENGTH.  BALANCE.  MOVEMENT.  COORDINATION.

This doesn't replace classroom instruction where the instructor can demonstrate the exercises and observe you doing them with your baby to make sure you're doing them correctly and safely.  We put this section on here for our students taking the class to look at as a reference.

Yoga filled with exercises to stimulate your babies' development from the time he's born all the way up to the time he's walking.  Improve your baby's motor skills.  Safely and enjoyably improve your baby's strength, balance and coordination and prevent developmental delays.

Stimulate his motor skills and work to prevent developmental delays.  Go slowly with your infant.  Just as you need to build up your endurance and strength for a workout program, so does your infant.  SLOWLY begin your exercises with your infant.  Gradually work up to 20-30 mins. per day over a several week period.  The activities may be done throughout the day as a part of your daily routine (such as after diaper changes, naps and feedings) or during one daily "workout" time.  Remember, this is hard work for your infant.  "Watch for crying and/or fussiness, which may indicate that your infant needs a rest.  

Get those babies out of the swings, off the bouncers and let's go build some muscle!  We promise you'll be so excited by the success of your baby.

STAGE 1

These exercises are geared toward strengthening neck and torso muscles.  Before a baby can do any of the motor skills, he has to have good stability of the neck and trunk.  We start by really strengthening those muscles first.  The first exercise is THE most important exercise you can do with your baby.  It works all three of the muscle groups that we're interested in:  Trunk, Shoulders, and Neck muscles.  

Lie your baby on his tummy.  Let him balance on his tummy.  Let him push up with his arms and lift the head with the neck muscles.  Help him keep his elbows directly under his shoulders -- that means the weight of the body goes through the arms.  It's hard for infants to begin these little exercises.  Remember, work up to 10-15 mins. at a time.  

Lie your baby on his side.  Place a toy that they can wrap their little fingers around, such as a ring, to the side where he'll try to reach for it.  Before he can reach out and grab the toy, he'll bat at it.  Reaching for a toy on the side helps eliminate gravity.

TUMMY TILTING ON BALL (tilting side to side)
This helps develop his trunk muscles.  Tickle gently on his side - helps baby stimulate muscles needed to support head and legs up to ball.  Slowly give time to respond to what you're doing.

PULL TO SIT (isolates and strengthens neck muscles)
Shoulders down and forward to keep baby from shrugging upward.  WAIT UNTIL BABY TUCKS CHIN!  Never pull up your baby with his head lagging back; causes injury to the neck!

When PULL TO SIT is easier for baby (no grunting, etc.), do it from a flat surface (your knees).
Maybe only pull up half way.  Do until strong enough to hold head up.  If lagging head from the start, go back to PULL TO SIT angle.

SHOULDER MUSCLES - Make sure baby has good eye contact with you and toy.  Toy that's easy for him to grab a hold of.  Back supported.  Shoulders dropped just a little so easy to get those hands to the middle.  Helps work those shoulder muscles as he holds the toy.  Help just a little.  Want him to do as much as he can on his own.

STAGE 2

BALANCE - Still working on strengthening the trunk muscles because the trunk muscles are the key to balance.  Make sure your baby can do all of the exercises in stage 1 (the above exercises) easily before moving on.  Good to do in front of a mirror.  It forces him to use his tummy muscles to pull himself back up to the center of the ball.  If baby is having difficulty going up, try not to tilt as far.  Watch shoulders.  If baby starts to shrug shoulders up, the exercise is too difficult for him.  Decrease going far side to side or raise your hand that's  supporting him from his hip.  Move your hand to around the chest.  That'll make it a little bit easier.  Make sure baby doesn't wrap his legs around your legs - want him to use tummy muscles and not leg muscles.  Make sure their legs are in front and no to the side.

WEIGHT SHIFTING ON TUMMY - Now your baby should be good at pushing up on tummy.  He has developed good trunk strength.  Challenge him:  Balance and shift his weight so he can reach for a toy on his tummy.  Keep his elbow directly under his shoulder that way when he shifts weight over to that arm, the baby will balance on that arm.  He'll be able to do on his own later.  Reach for toy and develop muscles he'll need later for rolling.

ROLLING - Back to tummy - a lot of strength.  Have to use leg and trunk muscles to pull the body all the way over while they lift their entire body weight with one arm.  That's difficult.  This exercise is going to stimulate your baby to roll.  By practicing this exercise over and over again you can actually build the muscles for your baby to roll by himself easily and by an early age.  Give him incentive to roll.  Toy - just out of reach so he wants to roll over and get toy.  Watch hand position.  start on side.  Hand on hip.  Pull down and forward and gently tickling tummy stimulating to use these trunk muscles.  If he's having difficulty, use the other hand just under the armpit to help.  Lift baby over just a little bit.  

SITTING WITH HIP SUPPORT - Good solid surface for this exercise.  Good to do on a changing mattress, crib, or floor.  Baby facing away from you.  Because your thumbs are going to be the tool that you use to stimulate those back muscles to pull the baby up straighter.  Thumbs rub along back.  Support pillow - support around his hips.  Reach up and out for toy.  Really makes him use his trunk muscles.

STAGE 3

MOVEMENT - All strength and balance from first two stages are put into (literal) motion.  Teach:  Laying down on floor - sitting up.  Side lying baby.  Pull down on hip and lift up on side as he sits up.  Weight bearing on arm just what we want.

HAND AND KNEES - To develop strength and coordination.  Vital skill needed for next several years so it's really important you don't skip this skill.  Balance on hands and knees first on tummy.  Start bringing hips up.  Knees underneath hips and then hold him at shoulders letting him balance in this position.  Keep hand under shoulder.  Knee under hip.

HANDS - KNEES WITH REACHING - Once baby can balance well on hands and knees, encourage him to shift his weight to one arm and reach for a toy.  Be sure to keep arm straight under shoulder.  This helps balance his weight on that arm as he shifts his weight over to that side.

TALL KNEELING - Stimulate to pull up to standing position.  Need to be able to balance well on knees.  Maintain that balance as pulls up to stand.  

BALANCING ON KNEES - One hand to hold his chest up.  One hand on his buttocks.  Keep baby occupied with toys.  Increase time he can stay in this position.  Watch out for fatigue - baby starts to sit back on heels.  Keep hips right over his knees.  Not much chest support as he gets stronger.  Still support his hips.

PULLING UP TO STAND - object is stable - not going to tip.  Pulling up on trunk and let him pull up.  Start in kneeling position.  Pull up on trunk both sides.  As he gets better, you don't have to help as much.

STAGE 4

COORDINATION - Watch him coordinate strength, balance and movement as he learns how to walk.

CRUISING - holding onto furniture.  Strengthening his leg muscles.  Keep your hands at his hips - pull up and over.

STANDING - balance without holding on.  Toy to hold with both hands.  You can let go without him realizing it.  Increase time to stand by himself.  Toys replace in hands.  

WALKING - When he can stand alone, do this.  Like cruising, but going forward instead of sideways.  Hands are upside down.  Shift weight.  If it's hard for him to keep his chest up, use a push toy.

INFANT MASSAGE:

35 infant massage strokes are covered over a 6 week period in each Baby and Me Yoga class series.  The instructor brings her infant or uses a demonstration doll.  Listed below are most of the strokes covered.  It's great to come to class and see the strokes done by the instructor and to practice in class to make sure you're doing them correctly and safely.

Recommended Infant Massage Reading Material:
BABY MASSAGE by Peter Walker 
HEALTHY PLEASURES by Robert Orstein, Ph.D. & David Sobel, M.D.
INFANT MASSAGE:  A HANDBOOK FOR LOVING PARENTS by Vimala Schneider McClure
INFANTS AND MOTHERS:  DIFFERENCES IN DEVELOPMENT by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.
ON BECOMING A FAMILY by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D.
THE AMAZING NEWBORN by Marshall H. Klaus, M.D. & Phyllis H. Klaus, M.Ed., C.S.W.
THE FUSSY BABY BOOK by William Sears, M.D.
THE WELL BABY BOOK by Mike Samules, M.D. & Nancy Samuels
TOUCHING - THE HUMAN SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SKIN by Ashley Montagu

Organizations:
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INFANT MASSAGE
U.S. Chapter, P.O. Box 1045, Oak View, CA 93022 (805) 644-8524, email:  IAIM4US@aol.com

INTERNATIONAL LOVING TOUCH FOUNDATION
P.O. Box 16374, Portland, OR 97216 (503) 253-8482

TOUCH RESEARCH INSTITUTE
University of Miami, Department of Pediatrics (D-820), P.O. Box 016820, Miami, FL 33101

INFANT MASSAGE CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Acute infections
Fever
Staff infections
Tuberculosis
Hemophilia
High blood pressure
Contagious skin disorders
Inflammations
Fractures (until well-healed)
Dislocation (dislocation of the hips is most common)
Osteoporosis (may like a simple hand placement)
Distention of the abdomen or abdominal muscle or lump (massaging other body parts may be appropriate with physician approval)
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea (may be signs of other medical problems)
Swollen joints
Cysts
Jaundice
Recent surgery (not for at least one to two weeks after surgery; other body parts may be helpful upon physician approval)
Diabetes - advanced stage (may be very helpful in earlier stages)
Gastrointestinal or jejunostomy feeding tubes (not for at least one to two weeks after surgery or until healed)
Varicose veins
Edema (due to heart decompensation or kidney failure or medication)
Tumors (check site of tumor; can spread if malignant)
Dislocated fracture or broken bones (avoid injured part)
Hydrocephalus (do not massage around shunt because of infection or dislodging)
Sunburn

INFANT CUES:
Cues are your baby's way of telling you what he or she wants.  In the early months of your baby's life, most cues are non-verbal.  When babies want to play, they will turn to your voice or look at you with their eyes.  These signals are called Engagement Cues.  "Engage" means to hold or attract you to be with them.  Babies also can tell parents that they need a break or rest.  These are called Disengagement Cues.  "Disengage" means to withdraw from being with you for the moment.  Engagement and disengagement cues can be easy to see, or not as easy to see.  Knowing about infant cues will make caring for your baby more fun.

ENGAGEMENT CUES:  When babies give engagement cues, they want to be with you.  This is a good time to talk, hold, feed or play with your baby.

1.  EASY TO SEE CUES
     stilling (stops moving)
     looking at your face
     reaching out to you
     turning eyes or head toward you
     cooing/babbling/talking
     smiling
     feeding sounds
     smooth movements of legs and arms

2.  NOT EASY TO SEE CUES
     eyes wide and bright
     face bright
     raising head

DISENGAGEMENT CUES:  When babies give disengagement cues, they are telling you they need a break or a rest from what you are doing.  They may need to stop to eat, play, or just be held  They may "take a rest" themselves by falling asleep, or they may need your help to take a break (as in crying).

1.  EASY TO SEE CUES
     turning head away
     back arching
     falling asleep
     fussing/crying
     pale or red skin
     squirming/kicking/pulling away
     spitting up/vomiting

2.  NOT EASY TO SEE CUES
     turning eyes away
     fast breathing
     wrinkled forehead
     yawning
     frowning/grimacing
     hiccough
     dull look in eyes
     hand to mouth (could also mean he's hungry)

CRYING

"Crying is the infant's language for getting attention.  Crying must work, must be responded to by adults, if the child is to achieve the confidence to achieve high competence."  Mother's Manual, March/April, 1978

The popular myths of the past 100 years considered crying as antisocial.  A baby would become "spoiled" if responded to and learn how to manipulate his/her parents.  The 1970s saw a trend toward more responsive attachment practices.  Through crying, an infant:
1.  learns he/she can do something to make the world respond.
2.  develops a basis for self-confidence and competence (personal power).
3.  learns to trust others.

Studies show that the average amount of crying in a newborn increases up to ____ weeks of age (peaking at two months) and decreases gradually.  Babies who are responded to promptly in the early months cry less in the second half of their first year.

HOW TO LISTEN:

1.  Take a deep breath and relax.  Let go of preconceptions about crying.
2.  Set aside your own inner infant.  Convey acceptance.
3.  Connect with the baby through eye to eye contact or firm, gentle placement of hands on his/her body.

COLIC:

A colicky baby is stiff and tense, has a hard distended stomach and cries constantly.  "Colicky baby" is not the same thing as a "fussy baby," but many of the features do overlap.  Fussiness is a problem of temperament.  
Non-colicky babies cry:  1.0 (+ or - .5) hours per day
Colicky babies cry:  2.6 (+ or - 1) hours per day      Decreased 70% with massage

Click HERE if you're breastfeeding or know of someone that is or wants to.

SPECIAL-NEEDS INFANTS:

1.  Check with baby's physician.
2.  Parents may feel "out of touch" and may be dealing with loss/grief issues.
Be patient.
Premature Babies must weigh at least 1,300 grams (_____ lbs.)
Studies have shown that the massaged group of infants gained more weight than the control group.
1.  Start with the part of the body least traumatized.
2.  Use touch relaxation to help baby let go of pain and fear; to associate touch with love.
3.  Focus on feeling deep warmth and relaxation -- affirmations
4.  Touch must be firm, but gentle.  (less pressure you'd use when checking a tomato's ripeness.)

DRUG-EXPOSED INFANTS:
Characteristics that usually start 72 hours after birth and may last up to 16 weeks.
1.  Hyperirritability
2.  Hyperactivity
3.  Exaggerated reflexes
4.  Sneezing
5.  Frequent hiccough
6.  Drooling and vomiting
Massage has proven most beneficial when medicines were being tapered off.

HIGH-NEED:
1.  Hypersensitive baby
worried expression, startles easily, avoids eye contact, seems to like to be left alone
2.  Disorganized baby
eyes move rapidly, unable to maintain eye contact, fussy crying, flailing limbs
3.  High-need baby
demanding, nursing often, sleeps little, wants to be held constantly

VISUAL OR HEARING-IMPAIRED INFANTS:
Massage helps establish an effective body image and helps motor development.
Gives organized routine for interaction where tactile stimulation can aid in development.
Massage can help prevent tactile defensiveness.

HYPERTONIA (CEREBRAL PALSY):
Slow, even strokes.  Gentle rocking.

HYPOTONIA (DOWN'S SYNDROME):
Faster, more invigorating strokes.

INFANTS EXPOSED TO HIV:
USE ALL UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS.  Every baby born to an HIV-positive woman is exposed.  One in four are actually infected, but all will test positive for the HIV antibody.
HIV-INFECTED
May get sick right away
Signs and symptoms:  Swollen lymph glands, Diarrhea, Skin rashes, Pneumonia, Irritability, Ear and Sinus infections.
Could also have:  "Organic failure to thrive" - diagnosis where inadequate growth from an inability to obtain or use calories, Delayed development, Side effects with medications (i.e., skin rash)
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE:
Helps the infant cope with pain and stress
Helps the caregiver know the child's body (i.e., rashes, lumps, other changes)
Enhances nurturing and communication
Raises mother's sense of worth:  lowers feelings of guilt
CONTRAINDICATIONS (curtail massage):
Grimacing, Yawning, Blueness around mouth, Gaze aversion, Swollen lymph, Fever
COMFORTED WITH:  
Containment, Swaddling, Rocking, Touch relaxation

INFANT MASSAGE PROTOCOL

*  Find a comfortable place.
*  Relax and breathe.
*  Undress baby; keep baby warm.
*  Ask permission; swish oil in hands.  (Use only natural oils - BURT'S BEES Apricot for babies is great!)  Do NOT use Mineral Oil on babies.  Be careful, some oils have fragrances and artificial stuff!  Skin soaks stuff right into the organs!
*  Gently introduce your hands.
*  Make eye contact.
*  Use Touch Relaxation.

STROKE DEFINITIONS:

LEGS:

INDIAN MILKING:  With one hand supporting the foot and ankle, mold the other hand (in a C shape) to thigh area and stroke thigh to ankle.  Switch hands, with the hand that was stroking now supporting and the hand that was supporting massaging the other side of the leg.  Keep alternating.  Hip to ankle.  
SQUEEZE AND TWIST:  Do 3-4 times.  With both hands at the hip, gently rotate hands around the limb.  Start at the thigh and gently squeeze and twist to the ankle.
THUMB OVER THUMB:  With the flats of your thumbs, stroke heel to toe.  Alternating thumbs.  thumb over thumb on the bottom of the feet.
SQUEEZE EACH TOE:  Gently roll each toe between your thumb and finger.
PULL BACK ON BALL OF FOOT:  Place the side of your finger between the toes and ball of foot.  Stroke down toward the arch.  use the Babinski reflex to help open toes.
PRESS ALL OVER BOTTOM OF FOOT:  With the flats of your thumbs, press gently all over the sole of the foot:  be aware of the changing sensitivity of the foot.
MASSAGE TOP OF FOOT:  With either thumbs or fingers, stroke the top of the foot from the toes tot he ankles.
MASSAGE ANKLES IN CIRCULAR PATTERN:  With thumb and finger or finger of each hand, make circular motions all around the ankle.
SWEDISH MILKING:  Supporting the foot and ankle, form a "C" shape with the other hand and stroke from ankle to hip.  Exchange hands.  The one hand that was stroking now supports, and the supporting hand now strokes the other side of the limb.  Finish the stroke by going over the abdomen on the inside stroke and over the hips and gluts on the outside stroke to show the infant how their body is put together.
ROLLING:  With your hands parallel, begin at the hip, rolling the leg between your hands (just like rolling a clay rope.)
Finishing stroke for legs (after both legs have been massaged):  Slip both hands under the buttocks.  Make circles on the muscle and then pull off down the legs to the feet.

INFANT MASSAGE LEGS AND FEET PROTOCOL

1.  Indian Milking (hip to ankle)
2.  Squeeze and Twist
3.  Thumb over Thumb (heel to toe on sole of foot)
4.  Squeeze Each Toe
5.  Pull Back on Ball of Foot
6.  Press All Over Bottom of Foot
7.  Massage Top of Foot (toes to ankles)
8.  Massage Ankles in Circular Pattern
9.  Swedish Milking
10.  Rolling
Finish stroke After both legs:  With hands under baby's buttocks, massage in circular pattern, then pull off to feet.

STOMACH:

WATER WHEEL:  Using the palms of your hands, stroke in a downward motion toward the pelvis.  Be sure to stay under the ribs.  Using a paddling motion, "scoop" towards you, one hand after the other.
WATER WHEEL WITH LEGS UP:  Supporting the legs with one hand (be sure to place a finger between the ankles), stroke with the other in a one-handed Water Wheel.
THUMBS TO SIDE:  Place flats of thumb on each side of the navel.  stroke out to the sides.  Stroke can be done above and below to cover entire abdomen.
SUN-MOON:  With your left hand, make a continuous clockwise circle.  Never make counter-clockwise circles because this is the wrong direction the colon goes.  The right hand strokes under the infant's ribs from their right side across and down into the hip area making a crescent shape.  The right hand then lifts up as the left hand continues to make the "Sun" stroke.
I LOVE YOU:  Start under the ribs of the infant's left side and stroke down to the hip area to form the letter "I."  The "L" begins on the infant's right side, goes across under the ribs and then down to the hip (similar to the crescent stroke in Sun-Moon).  Beginning at the infant's right hip area make a "U" -- it goes up to the ribs, across under the ribs and down the left hip.
WALKING:  With the pads of your fingers, walk across the infant's abdomen right to left, as if your fingers were "moon walking."  Good for getting rid of gas - feels like peas.

INFANT MASSAGE STOMACH PROTOCOL

1.  Water Wheel
2.  Water Wheel with Legs Up
3.  Thumbs to Side
4.  Sun-Moon
5.  I Love You
6.  Walking

CHEST

OPEN BOOK:  With the flats of your hands, start at the bottom of the sternum and stroke up.  Stroke across under the clavicle (the collar bone), down the sides of the ribs and back to the original starting position.  It would look like drawing a heart on your baby's chest.
BUTTERFLY:  With your hands starting at the lower side of the ribs, stroke one hand diagonally up to the opposite shoulder and then back down to the beginning position.  Repeat with the other hand, as if making an "X" on the infant's chest.  As the infant becomes familiar and comfortable with this stroke, reach your fingers around and give some extra attention to the shoulder muscles.

INFANT MASSAGE CHEST PROTOCOL

1.  Open Book (heart shape)
2.  Butterfly

ARMS

PIT STOP:  Gently make a few circular motions in the armpit or can just stroke down.  If glands are swollen, don't do it!
INDIAN MILKING:  Supporting the hand and wrist with one hand, form a "C" with your other hand and stroke from shoulder to wrist.  Switch hands and massage the other side of the arm.
SQUEEZE AND TWIST:  With both hands at the shoulder, gently rotate hands around the limb.  Start at the shoulder and gently squeeze and twist to the wrist.
OPEN HAND:  With your thumbs, gently stroke the infant's palm from the base of the palm toward the fingers.
MASSAGE EACH FINGER:  Gently squeeze and stroke each finger starting at the base.
TOP OF HAND:  Stroke the top of the hand, wrist to fingers.
CIRCLES AROUND THE WRIST:  With thumb and finger or finger of each hand, make circular motions all around the wrist.
SWEDISH MILKING:  Supporting the hand, form a "C" shape with your other hand and stroke wrist.
ROLLING:  With your hands parallel, begin at the shoulder, rolling the arm between your hands.  End at the wrists.

INFANT MASSAGE ARMS AND HANDS PROTOCOL

1.  Pit Stop 
2.  Indian Milking (shoulder to wrist)
3.  Squeeze and Twist
4.  Open Hand
5.  Roll Each Finger
6.  Top of Hand (wrist to fingertips)
7.  Massage Wrist in Circular Pattern
8.  Swedish Milking
9.  Rolling

FACE

OPEN BOOK:  With the flats of your fingers, start at the center of the infant's forehead.  Gently stroke out to the sides.
THUMBS OVER EYES:  Place your thumbs under the inside corners of the eyebrows.  Gently stroke out to the temples.  Good for sinuses.
PUSH UP ON BRIDGE OF NOSE:  Gently place your thumbs at the inside corners of the eyebrows.  Stroke down the sides of the nose.  Continue stroking under the cheekbones with a little pressure on the acupressure points under each pupil.  Excellent for sinuses.
SMILE ON THE UPPER AND LOWER LIP:  With your thumbs, stroke from the middle of the upper lip and out into the cheek areas.  Do the same with the lower lip.
SMALL CIRCLES AROUND JAW:  Using the pads of two or three fingers, gently make circular strokes along the upper and lower jaw.  Make sure baby's jaw isn't swollen - look for lymph.
EARS:  Holding the infant's ears between your fingers and thumbs, gently rub.
AROUND EARS AND UNDER CHIN:  Start with fingers in front of each ear.  Stroke up, around behind the ears, finish by stroking along jaw line and off the chin.

INFANT MASSAGE FACE PROTOCOL

No oil: avoid cheeks (rooting)
1.  Open Book (flat fingers from brows to temples)
2.  Thumbs Over Eyes
3.  Push Up on Bridge of Nose (down across cheeks)
4.  Smile on Upper and Lower Lip
5.  Small Circles Around Jaw
6.  Ears
7.  Over Ears and Under Chin

BACK

BACK AND FORTH:  Stroke from side to side.  Cover the entire back, shoulders to hips.  Good for muscular problems - good to help build them.
SWOOPING TO BOTTOM:  Supporting the infant's buttocks with one hand, place the other hand flat on the infant's shoulder area and stroke down to the supporting hand.
SWOOP TO THE ANKLES:  Remove your supporting hand and stroke to the feet.
SMALL CIRCLES:  Make little circles along the side of the spine.  Be sure to stay on the soft tissue.  Include the shoulder area and the hips and buttocks.
COMBING:  With the pads of your fingers, lightly stroke from shoulders to hips in a raking, feathering motion.  The stroke can include the head and feet.

INFANT MASSAGE BACK PROTOCOL

1.  Back and Forth
2.  Swoop to Bottom
3.  Swoop to Ankles
4.  Small Circles (along spine/on shoulders/on buttocks)
5.  Combing

ABBREVIATED MASSAGE

1.  Circles Around Head
2.  Open Book on Forehead
3.  Circles on Jaw
4.  Open Book on Chest
5.  Roll Arms, Open Hand
6.  Sun-Moon on Stomach
7.  Roll Legs
8.  Soles of Feet
9.  Back and Forth on Back
10.  Comb Back

INFANT MASSAGE GAS AND COLIC

Relax Yourself. 
  Repeat this sequence three times twice each day for two weeks.
Count the Strokes.
  Use Touch Relaxation!
Sequence:
1.  Water Wheel (six times)
2.  Both Knees to Tummy (hold for 30 seconds)
3.  Release.  Stroke Legs (use Touch Relaxation)
4.  Sun-Moon (6 times)
5.  Both Knees to Tummy (hold for 30 seconds)
6.  Release.  Stroke Legs (use Touch Relaxation)
REPEAT.

OLDER CHILDREN

As the limbs grow longer; strokes must be varied to accommodate them.
LEGS:  
     Milking can be done in two parts.
     Squeeze and Twist and Rolling can be started just below the knees.

ARMS:
     Milking can be done in two parts.
     Squeeze and Twist and Rolling can be started just below the elbows.

GENTLE EXERCISES

1.  Cross Arms
2.  Diagonal Cross Arms/Legs
3.  Cross Legs
4.  Knees to Chest
5.  Alternate Legs/Knees to Chest

                                                         Thank you for taking the time to help the well being of children!!!

www.PrairielandsChiropractic.com