Baby yoga classes held at Teesside care home

BABIES and elderly care home residents are taking part in yoga sessions together at a Stockton-on-Tees care home.

The Kalma Baby sessions are held at Ingleby Care Home, Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick, with residents and visitors with young children all invited to participate.

Staff, residents’ families and members of the community with babies and toddlers have all been taking part.

Bringing the two generations together provides benefits for both groups, explained Jessica Jolly, who runs the sessions.

Jessica, who works as a mental health nurse, said: “The session at Ingleby Care Home went down really well. 

“I was so impressed at how the residents reacted to it and there are so many benefits for the babies and parents.”

Resident Moira Hall, 78, said: “I really enjoy the children coming in. Especially at this age, as it takes me back to when my son, Grant, was that small.”

Resident Margaret Salmon, 92, added: “I didn’t know what to expect when I was asked to go to baby yoga but as soon as I saw all the little babies my heart melted. I absolutely loved it.” 

Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Jessica contacted us as she was looking for a space to run the Kalma Baby sessions and thought our residents would be interested in taking part.

“We regularly have nursery groups and school children visit the residents and they always light up when they see the young ones. It brings so much energy and enthusiasm into the home.

“So we jumped at the chance to host the baby yoga sessions and the first was a huge success. Everyone is really looking forward to the next one.”

The next Kalma Baby session takes place at 11am, Thursday, 6th December, at Ingleby Care Home, on Lamb Lane, Ingleby Barwick. Anyone interested in taking part should contact Jessica Jolly on 07453171709 or email jessica@stockton.kalmababy.co.uk.

Kalma Baby provides yoga classes primarily across the North East for parents and children aged from six weeks to 18 years.

The sessions help with babies’ digestive system, promotes body awareness and confidence, helps build muscle strength, promotes healthier, deeper sleeping patterns, improves coordination and motor skills, and promotes bonding between parent and infant, according to the Kalma Baby website.