Yoga benefits extend to moms and babies:Tiny Toes keeps exercise in the family

Radhika Panjwani
Jan 14, 2006

The yoga studio located at the corner of Lakeshore and Helen St. has baby carriers discreetly tucked away in the corner. Brightly-coloured soft toys, bottles and other accessories are scattered around the space. Gurgling and cooing babies, along with their mommies, are in the midst of an hour-long yoga session.

The Tiny Toes Yoga class for babies and moms was started by a young mother, Carole Czyrski, 30, who experienced first-hand the benefits of doing yoga during her two pregnancies. She decided to share her expertise and experience with other new mothers. She says the yoga sessions help new mothers relax their tense muscles and cope with the postpartum depression some women suffer.

"It gives the mom an opportunity to do something fun and interactive with the toddler," Czyrski said. "You can do yoga at home, but you won't get as much benefit as coming out because you get to meet other moms, socialize, exchange notes and not feel so isolated.

"A part of the problem with postpartum depression is isolation and feeling helpless," Czyrski said. "You go from being a career woman to feeling as though you're trapped at home."

Karin Inghammar and her seven-month-old daughter Freya are regulars at the Tiny Toes Yoga classes. Inghammar, who recently moved to Mississauga from the U.K., said the stress of moving, and coping with the demands of a small baby were overwhelming, until she decided to enrol in the class.

"I feel as if I have done myself a favour," Inghammar said. "Yoga on Mondays starts my week in a wonderful way and helps me de-stress."

Czyrski, who works for Manulife Financial, is currently on maternity leave. She hit upon the idea for combining an idea for business and an opportunity to spend time with her two children.

When she put out the initial posters for Tiny Toes Yoga, she knew in order for the business to sustain itself she needed at least four moms to enroll, but as the buzz about the class began to spread, Czyrski's classes became well-attended. She said she's willing to start classes anywhere in the city as long as she has four or more participants.

Czyrski has recently started classes for toddlers and moms, and, in the spring, she plans to initiate stroller-fitness classes that will combine cardio exercises with lunges and squats.

"A lot of postures in yoga are named after animals," Czyrski said. "With kids you can improvise, so if you're doing tiger posture, you can roar like a tiger. It is helpful for toddlers because it helps them develop their gross motor skills."

More on Tiny Toes Yoga can be found by visiting www.tinytoesyoga.

THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
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