The fascination of the bond between mother and child
The connection between a mother and her child has always seemed fascinating to me. The way a mother knows what her child needs, the communication between them goes beyond words. Before becoming a mother myself, I aimed to bring the concept of gymnastics classes dedicated to mothers and children to the attention of the Romanian public.
The benefits of gym class for parents and children
Teaching these classes for parents and children, I have noticed how parents relax and gain more confidence in their children during these sessions, while the little ones become braver in exploring the outside world.
From my own experience, I now know that it is not always easy to go to the gym accompanied by your child to do your workout. Even if you manage to go, your workout will never be just yours. For me and my little boy, Alexandru, the entire day seems like a continuous negotiation between what I want and what he wants. From my perspective, physical activity is an important component of well-being, and I have been searching for a workout solution that suits both me and my child.
The transformation plays with the child in the gymnastics program
So, I transformed playing with him into a gymnastics/movement program for myself, and in this way, we are both satisfied.
From this play, we both learned how to coordinate our movements together, how to get to know our bodies better, and we cultivated trust in each other. I will detail in the following points.
Our training routine
1. Dance and free movement
Dance: We choose a favorite song and let our bodies move freely to the rhythm of the music.
2. Exercises with raising the child
Lifts: I lift the child up towards the ceiling, which works out my arms and legs, while he has more fun.
3. Exercises for the whole body
Plank and bird dog position: It tones the mother’s entire body while the child becomes the proud owner of their favorite “pony.”
4. Rolls in the air
Air rolls: They are Alex’s favorites! I lie on my back with my knees flexed at a 90-degree angle, and the child sits with their back against my thighs. I hold his shoulders with my hands, as if putting on a belt, with the grip on his hips. Then, I swing back and forth, extending my knees and rolling him in the air until his feet reach the floor at the level of my head.
5. Leapfrog or “prinselea”: The favorite cardio exercise.
At the end of each good play session, we hug each other and breathe together.
The beneficial effects of play on children and adults
By consistently practicing these exercises, children improve their body balance by developing their inner ear, which is responsible for perceiving the body in time and space. Parents, in turn, test their patience, become more tolerant, and bring back the playful spirit within each of us, regardless of age.
Play has beneficial effects on children, comparable to those of a meditative state in adults.
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