Question 1

Baby Yoga & Play Registration and Attendance

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Baby Yoga & Play classes are offered in 4-8-week series. Full registration required, no drop-ins. moms and babies in yoga class

We know it's hard to get out of the house with a newborn, that naps are sometimes unpredictable, and life can be complicated . . . and that's why we require series registration for this class. Committing to the whole series makes it infinitely more likely that you actually attend. It far too easy to say "oh, I'll go next week" if you are planning on dropping in. If you end up with an unavoidable conflict, illness, or disrupted nap-time, you can take advantage of our generous makeup policy.

Flexibility in Baby Yoga & Play

Because it's hard to convince babies to be born and maternity leaves to be set on our schedule, we offer lots of flexibility:

Generous Makeup Options - If students must miss a class, they are welcome to
- attend any other family yoga class as a makeup within the same timeframe, or
- bring a friend to class as a makeup. See makeup class FAQs for details.

[box type="warning"] Due to COVID precautions, all attendees over 5 years of age must show (or send) proof of COVID vaccination before their first class.[/box]

Any of baby's favorite grownups are welcome in this class - mom, dad, grandparent, nanny . . . and the same adult need not attend each time. Registration is for one adult-baby on a weekly basis, but occasional visitors are welcome to attend as well.
Late or Partial Registration: If there is room in the class once the series begins, late registration will remain open for the first 1/3 of the series. Registration automatically prorates. If you can't complete a series but can commit to 2/3 of the series in consecutive weeks - say because you are going back to work before our series ends - contact us about partial enrollment.

So what does this mean?

If a full series conflicts with work or travel, feel free to attend multiple times a week during the weeks you can attend.
If you are going back to work and baby will be home with a nanny or other caregiver, feel free to have them attend in your stead.

Still not sure if Baby Yoga & Play is right for you? That's why we have a no-risk registration policy. If you attend your first class and decide it's not a good fit, we make it easy to drop a class series. Read all of our class policies and FAQs. See additional policies for:

Question 2

Makeup Policies - Weekly Series Classes

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Our classes are generally offered in multi-week series with students committing to multiple consecutive classes. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that modern life is busy and sometimes unpredictable. If you must miss a class, you have several options to make it up:

[caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignright" width="250"] toddler family yoga

Family, kids, and family classes require a series commitment. Need to miss due to travel, illness, or another conflict? Take advantage of our generous makeup policy.[/caption]

Take another class.

Any family member of the enrolled student may take any other appropriate* weekly class during the same semester, even in advance – this means the same class on an alternate day or something different; Use our makeup scheduler. (See instructions here. Please email if you have any questions.)

Family members should take a class appropriate for them - for example, a younger sibling and parent may attend an early childhood class or a parent may take a mat-based adult class. Exception: Yoga Trapeze classes and infant massage are only open to makeup by students enrolled in that type of class.
Bring a friend.

If space is available in your mat-based or family yoga class, you may bring a friend as your make-up (instead of option 1). This is not allowed in trapeze yoga. Please confirm space availability with your instructor. Guests will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Practice with our video library.

If scheduling a makeup doesn't work for you, you can view selections from our video library and practice at home. You'll find recordings in the Parent Portal of our registration site.
Carry over one credit to your next series registration.

Continuing students may carry one class over into the subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. See below.

Additional Detials by Class Type

Weekly Mat-based Classes (non-trapeze)

Q: My baby is too old for Baby Yoga & Play but not walking yet, is there a class?

Yes! That’s Tot Yoga , which is for crawlers (or near crawlers) and walkers up to 24 months.

Q: What's the difference between Tot Yoga and Preschooler, Little Family or Toddler Family Yoga?

Our Tot Yoga (crawling-24 months) and Preschooler Yoga (21 months-4 yrs) have a 3 month age overlap on purpose. Personality, more than physical development, should be the deciding factor between the two classes. Tot Yoga tends to be a quieter class with more repetition from week to week, so suits more reserved toddlers better. Preschooler / Little Family Yoga tends to be louder and move move more quickly from activity to activity to suit the energy level of 2-4 yr olds. Little Family Yoga requires more verbal direction following, incorporates more imaginative play, and typically involves less physical helping from parents. Very active almost-2 year olds often do well in this class because the social environment challenges them more than that of the younger group. Younger siblings accustomed to the energy and speed of older toddlers and preschoolers tend to enjoy this class as well, even if they are not able to do every pose. Toddler Family Yoga (walking-4 yrs) is a crossover class which is very much like Little Family Yoga with some adaptations 12-21 month old students.

Carry-over Makeup - Mat-based

We get that scheduling a makeup class isn't always possible, so we extend the following courtesy to continuing students: carry the value of one class over into the next semester by taking a registration discount.

Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. This only applies to students registering again for a full semester and cannot be used as a drop-in, but it can be used if you are changing class type or even the family member enrolled. Note: If you are registering multiple family members who need to take the makeup credit, each student registration will need to be its own transaction.

[box type="info"] Prenatal, Postnatal, and Baby Yoga class carry-over exception: Due to constraints of due dates and return-to-work scheduling, we allow students in these classes to take their one class carry-over in person without registering for the next series. That class must be attended during the first 4 weeks of the next semester, or within 4 weeks of being cleared for activity if you are making up a prenatal class postnatally (so by the time baby is 12 weeks old). The makeup scheduler will not work for this; just email to let us know which class you will attend.

No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.[/box]

Yoga Trapeze

Space is limited in Yoga Trapeze by the number of rigs, however, we have two ceiling attachments that are not included in our class capacity count, so there is usually space for makeup students in those spots.

Trapeze students or a family member may make up in any other appropriate class during the same semester time frame. There are several ways to reserve your spot in a makeup class:

Use the makeup scheduler to reserve another Yoga Trapeze class (Note: A family member may only take a trapeze makeup if they themselves are enrolled in or have completed a semester of Yoga Trapeze or a week of camp);
Use the discount code "trapezemakeup" to drop in to any adult-mat class – all levels, prenatal, etc; or
Email us to let us know you'd like to attend a family class.

Carry-over Makeup - Trapeze

Continuing students may "carry one class over" into a subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.

Infant Massage

Because instruction is progressive and space is limited, only students enrolled in infant massage may makeup in infant massage.

Enrolled students can access an online course reviewing all the material in the live class. Additionally, because the content is always covered in the same order, infant massage students who miss are welcome to make up that same class in a subsequent series - if you miss class #2, attend the next class #2. Just email to let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class can I take as a makeup?

The only multi-week classes with a makeup restriction are yoga trapeze and infant massage. You must be enrolled in one of those classes to make up in one of them.

Otherwise, take any class appropriate for the family member doing the makeup. You can even send different family members to do the makeup class. Students may make up in any location.

For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a makeup (baby can even tag along). If you and your child miss Little Family Yoga, you and an older child may attend family yoga, you and a younger child may attend Baby Yoga & Play, or you may attend an adult class for yourself. Anytime we have a "Pop-Up" class on the schedule, that can be a makeup.

How do I reserve a makeup class?

Our registration system has makeup reservations. Log in to the system and look for makeups in the drop-down menu under classes (this option only appears for registered students). See instructions here.

Scroll back up for special notes for Yoga Trapeze students.

I really am only able to attend a couple classes, can I drop-in?

Adult classes – Prenatal, Postnatal, All Levels Yoga (adults), and Yoga Trapeze (adult 16+) – are the only classes where we allow drop-in attendance. If you sign up for multiple drop-in classes in the same transaction, there is an automatic discount.

If a drop-in must be rescheduled, it must be used within 4 weeks of the original date(s).

Making Up in a Pop-Up Class or Intro to Yoga Trapeze

Occasionally we offer "Pop Up" classes not associated with a series. Advanced reservation is required. Pop-ups with insufficient registration 3 days in advance may be canceled.

We publish pop-up classes on our regular class calendar. They tend to happen at the end of a term, but Baby Yoga & Play is occasionally scheduled for weekend pop-up classes! Get on our newsletter list to be notified.

If the pop-up doesn't appear on your makeup scheduler and we didn't send out a discount code for current students, email us to get on the roster.

Question 3

Can we do a trial class or drop into a Tot, Preschooler, Family, Kids or Tween Yoga class occasionally?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Nope, sorry. We don’t offer drop-in options for classes for crawling or older children or trial classes during the regular session.

Children really do need the consistency of a weekly class both for comfort and so they can best learn and drop-ins can be disruptive to the class routine. Read more. tot yoga game with bolsters Since it often takes several classes for a child to settle in, dropping in once is not really the best indicator of whether your child will enjoy class.

However, we get that it can be tough to commit to a class when you can’t imagine what happens or how your child will react, so:

We have a no-risk refund policy. If you register for a class and decide for any reason it’s a bad fit for you, your child, or your schedule, and you decide early in the series, you can drop the class and get a prorated refund. See details.
We occasionally offer trial/drop-in days, when the teacher will spend a little extra time explaining the class routine and parents get a chance to see a class in action.

We also understand that life is unpredictable and have a generous makeup policy for families that wish to commit to a series but know they will miss a class or two.

Question 4

Which parent-child class should we take?

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We have several different parent-child yoga classes on our schedule and people have asked, which one should they should sign up for? To answer that, pick the best description that fits your situation: If you have one child, pick the appropriate age range:

newborn to almost crawling babies - Baby Yoga & Play or Infant Massage
crawling (or almost crawling and at least 7 months old) to 1 years - Tot Yoga
12-24 months - Tot Yoga or Toddler Family Yoga or as a younger sibling in Little Family Yoga
almost 2 to 4 years - Toddler Family Yoga or Little Family Yoga
3 yrs - Toddler Family Yoga, Prenatal Yoga or as a younger sibling in Family Yoga
4 yrs - Little Family Yoga or Family Yoga
5-10 yrs - Family Yoga

If you have a 3 year old or children in multiple age ranges, you have a choice of classes: Toddler Family Yoga (steady walking - 35 months)

Very active, playful class with simple movements, yoga poses, and beginning breath and body awareness exercises
Beginning to incorporate imaginative play and simple storytelling in relation to the yoga poses and activities
Typically only uses yoga mats as a prop or for relaxation
Younger siblings welcome (non walking infants free)

Little Family Yoga Yoga (21 months - 4 yrs)

Very active, playful class with age appropriate yoga poses and beginning breath and body awareness exercises
Incorporates imaginative play and storytelling in relation to the yoga poses and activities
Games are very simple, usually consisting of only one or two steps: jumping in and out of circles, following directions ...
Partner poses are very simple
Typically only uses yoga mats as a prop or for relaxation
Especially good for young 4 year olds or reserved children likely to stay close to their parent during class
Appropriate for siblings younger than 2 to participate (may enroll at half price, non walking infants free)

Family Yoga (4-8 or 10 yrs)

Still active and playful, in fact a bit more athletic as coordination improves,
More imagination/pretend, more and more involved stories,
Games become more complicated and start to have rules: move & freeze, musical mats ...
Partner poses with parents begin to be recognizable as yoga poses
Uses mats for the majority of the class, but children will move around the room for many activities
Appropriate for younger siblings 2.5 years and older or older siblings 10 and younger to participate (50% sibling discount, strongly recommend second adult participant when sibling is younger than 3)
May also be appropriate for 3-year olds who've taken our classes for several months and would enjoy the challenge of keeping up with the big kids. By permission only.

All classes can accommodate younger or older siblings, so what do you do if both children are not within the same class age range? You have multiple children to enroll:

A 3-year-old and a 1-year-old - Little Family Yoga (2-4 yrs) with the younger one enrolled at half price
A 5/6 year old and a 2.5 year old - Family Yoga (4-8 years) with the younger enrolled at half price
A 5- and 9-year-old - Family Yoga (4-8 yrs) with the older enrolled at half price.

Sibling discounts are automatic; just sign up both children.

Question 5

What if my child doesn't like a class? Can we withdraw?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

We often here from parents that they are hesitant to enroll if they aren't sure their child will enjoy a class. We get it. That's why we have our:

No Risk Refund Policy - Not sure if a kids & family series class will be right for you or your child? Register and come to the first class. If you notify us in writing within 48 hours after the first class that you will not be able to continue the session, we refund all but $2o for that first class.

We are also very flexible about switching classes for students who have nap time shifts during the course of a series. For example, if your child is enrolled in an 11 am class and starts napping at that time, we'll happily switch her into one of our 9 or 9:30 am classes instead.

Question 6

My baby is too old for Baby Yoga & Play but not walking yet, is there a class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes! That’s Tot Yoga, which is for crawlers (or near crawlers) and walkers up to 24 months.

Question 7

Can I bring my baby along with my preschooler to class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes, please do. We often have younger siblings in tow for Little Families Yoga classes. They are welcome to nap or be in arms during class. No charge for non-walking siblings, just bring them along. Learn more about Early Childhood Yoga

Question 8

Which class should I start with for my 21 month old who’s never taken yoga before?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Amalie teaching Little Families, preschooler yoga

Probably Toddler Family Yoga, but get in touch if you think the slower, slightly less boisterous environment of Tot Yoga might be a better fit. Learn more about Early Childhood Yoga classes.

Question 9

My child is super active/busy. Is Little Families or Preschooler Yoga class appropriate for them?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yep. We move a ton.

Generally, if you are enrolling in a class for your child's age, we are prepared for your child to behave in age-appropriate ways.

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1184" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/bsfy-kids-yoga-638-250x166.jpg" alt="kids yoga bow" width="250" height="166" />For Little Families Yoga (2-4 yrs), we don't use yoga mats and instead move all over the room. Some of our students are always on the go and that’s really quite alright. Some toddlers seriously need to move in order to pay attention. Those are the students parents assure me do the yoga poses at home, just never in class. Sometimes those students join in briefly whenever their favorite activities come up and then go back to running in circles. It’s all good.

For Kids or Family Yoga (ages 3-6, or 4+), we do use mats and are beginning to learn to be on the mats for much of the class. Class is still super active, we move off mats for all sorts of games, and we don't expect stillness from young children.

If your child has special needs, it is helpful to check in ahead of time so the instructor can be prepared and think through lessons and activities with your child's needs in mind. We are happy to have you enroll and decide after the first class or two if it is the right fit. Again though, check in with the instructor. Parents are typically more worried about possible disruptive behavior than our yoga teachers and will work with you on strategies to help your child succeed in class.

Question 10

Do parents participate in early childhood or family yoga? Will I get a workout?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright wp-image-7536 size-medium" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/Tot-kicking-cobra-250x166.jpg" alt="tot yoga kicking cobra" width="250" height="166" />We do expect parent participation. The more yoga you do in class the more your child will do.

While parents should expect to move quite a lot, we will be doing yoga appropriate for the child's age range, so it’s probably not a workout for the grownups as compared to an adult class.

Question 11

Is early childhood or family yoga safe for me if I’m pregnant/have special conditions?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1953" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/amalie-2-4yrs-250x117.jpg" alt="Amalie teaching Little Families, preschooler yoga" width="250" height="117" />Poses and activities are designed with toddlers/preschoolers in mind. While your instructor will likely be able to make suggestions, we expect adults to take care of their own bodies during class.

It’s rarely a problem. Pregnant moms often skip or modify belly-down poses and anything else that doesn’t feel right and adults with special conditions adjusting accordingly.

The biggest challenge is probably for adults who have significant difficulty getting up and down from the floor. I’ve had mobility-challenged caregivers, usually older nannies or grandparents, do very few of the poses with no problem. My suggestion is to try it and see how it goes.

Do note that several of our class venues are down a flight of stairs (strollers can be left locked outside). Our Saturday and Sunday class venues are handicap accessible.

Question 12

Sibling and Nanny Share Registration and Discounts - Children's and Family Classes

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Yes, one adult can bring more than one child to class. (See below for special nanny share policies)

Note: Discounts codes do not combine. The registration system automatically applies the largest possible discount. Staff are unable to retroactively add discounts.

Baby Yoga & Play

Yes, you can bring twins. Because so much of this class hands on we charge the same for two babies as one baby if there's only one caregiver attending. No need to register both babies, simply put them both in your account profile, sign one up, and join us. If you are bringing two adults, you must register both children. Sibling discounts will apply.

Nanny shares are treated like twins for pricing purposes, but registration is different (see below).

Tot Yoga

Yes, twins, siblings. and nanny-shares are welcome, however all children between crawling-24 months must be registered and all children present must have accounts in the system.

Sibling discounts automatically apply during checkout. See below for nanny-share registration and discount.

No need to register non-mobile infants - whether younger siblings or share partners. They are welcome to tag along with parent/caregiver, just note them on the registration form (and have their parents create an account for them if they are not attending with a paying sibling).

Little Family Yoga or Toddler Family Yoga

Again, twins, younger siblings, and nanny-shares are welcome. This is the age range we most often see younger siblings. All children older than 1 year must register for class.

Sibling discounts automatically apply during checkout. See below for nanny-share registration and discount.

No need to register non-mobile infants - whether younger siblings or share partners. They are welcome to tag along with parent/caregiver, just note them on the registration form (and have their parents create an account for them if they are not attending with a paying sibling).

Family Yoga

Siblings up to one year younger or older than the target age range are welcome to register for Family Yoga classes. For example, 3-year-olds are welcome in classes with the stated range of 4-8 yrs. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of class for your child, please contact us. Sibling discounts are automatic.

Please contact us with any additional questions or to discuss situations that don't fit the above scenarios.

Nanny Share Registration

All children must be added to their own parent's account in our registration system to attend class. Please do not add an unrelated nanny-share child to your profile. Their parents must set up an account and accept our terms & conditions. If a nanny-share misses a class, the whole share is welcome to make up class on an alternate day or parents of the enrolled students my bring the child to do a makeup on the weekend, with or without their share partner. Class specific policies:

Tot, Toddler or Little Family Yoga - Families registering as part of a nanny share (one caregiver bringing multiple unrelated children) are are eligible for a 20% discount with the code NANNYSHARE20. Discounts must be taken during registration and cannot be applied retroactively.
Baby Yoga & Play - Because so much of this class hands on we charge the same for two babies as one baby if there's only one caregiver attending. However both families in a Nanny Share registration must create accounts and be reachable in case of emergency, so both families can use the discount code NANNYSHARE50 to take half off registration.

Each family in a nanny share should sign up with the discount code and note their share partner during registration.

Question 13

Early Childhood Yoga - Class Description

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Preschool, Toddler Yoga All our early childhood classes are taught family-style. Up to two parents may attend these class with the registered child. Little Family Yoga welcomes walking younger siblings to join the fun, no charge for infants under 1 year. Learn more about early childhood classes.

Early childhood yoga classes are offered in three formats:

Question 14

What's the difference between Tot Yoga and Preschooler, Little Family or Toddler Family Yoga?

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Our Tot Yoga (crawling-24 months) and Preschooler Yoga (21 months-4 yrs) have a 3 month age overlap on purpose. Personality, more than physical development, should be the deciding factor between the two classes. Tot Yoga tends to be a quieter class with more repetition from week to week, so suits more reserved toddlers better. Preschooler / Little Family Yoga tends to be louder and move move more quickly from activity to activity to suit the energy level of 2-4 yr olds. Little Family Yoga requires more verbal direction following, incorporates more imaginative play, and typically involves less physical helping from parents. Very active almost-2 year olds often do well in this class because the social environment challenges them more than that of the younger group. Younger siblings accustomed to the energy and speed of older toddlers and preschoolers tend to enjoy this class as well, even if they are not able to do every pose. Toddler Family Yoga (walking-4 yrs) is a crossover class which is very much like Little Family Yoga with some adaptations 12-21 month old students.

Question 15

How to Schedule Makeup Class

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We offer classes in multi-week series. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that life happens. We have a very generous makeup policy. We allow students to make up in nearly any other class on our schedule in the same semester and allow family members to take makeups in the registered student's place.

This is quite flexible. For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a make up. If you miss Little Family Yoga you may take a prenatal yoga class or come to Baby & Toddler Singing Time (weekly class, not weekend workshop). Parents of children enrolled in a class make take any adult mat class on our schedule as a makeup. Students may make up in any location.

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Makeup Scheduling Online

There is a makeup scheduler in the MainStreetSites registration system. You must be logged into your account for the makeup scheduler to appear and you must be enrolled in a class for makeup spots to be available.

screen shot of makeup scheduler and drop down menu

Once you are logged in, simply choose an appropriate makeup from the classes that appear. The student drop-down must match the enrolled student. If you are sending a different student than the original enrollment, just note that in the text field.

Note that toward the end of the semester, there may not be any available makeups in your desired class. We recommend scheduling your makeup as soon as you know you will miss and when you can attend instead. Makeups do not carry over to the next semester.

Yoga Trapeze Makeups

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Students who miss a trapeze class may make up in any other appropriate class, trapeze or mat-based.

Workshop Makeups: Infant Massage, Birth & Baby Series

Many of our workshops are one time events and there is no makeup option if you do not attend. See our workshop enrollment and refund policies for details.

For short series classes such as Infant Massage, students may attend the same class in a subsequent series as a makeup. Those makeups are not in the scheduler. Email us to confirm.

Question 16

Makeup Policies - Weekly Series Classes

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Our classes are generally offered in multi-week series with students committing to multiple consecutive classes. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that modern life is busy and sometimes unpredictable. If you must miss a class, you have several options to make it up:

[caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignright" width="250"] toddler family yoga

Family, kids, and family classes require a series commitment. Need to miss due to travel, illness, or another conflict? Take advantage of our generous makeup policy.[/caption]

Take another class.

Any family member of the enrolled student may take any other appropriate* weekly class during the same semester, even in advance – this means the same class on an alternate day or something different; Use our makeup scheduler. (See instructions here. Please email if you have any questions.)

Family members should take a class appropriate for them - for example, a younger sibling and parent may attend an early childhood class or a parent may take a mat-based adult class. Exception: Yoga Trapeze classes and infant massage are only open to makeup by students enrolled in that type of class.
Bring a friend.

If space is available in your mat-based or family yoga class, you may bring a friend as your make-up (instead of option 1). This is not allowed in trapeze yoga. Please confirm space availability with your instructor. Guests will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Practice with our video library.

If scheduling a makeup doesn't work for you, you can view selections from our video library and practice at home. You'll find recordings in the Parent Portal of our registration site.
Carry over one credit to your next series registration.

Continuing students may carry one class over into the subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. See below.

Additional Detials by Class Type

Weekly Mat-based Classes (non-trapeze)

Carry-over Makeup - Mat-based

We get that scheduling a makeup class isn't always possible, so we extend the following courtesy to continuing students: carry the value of one class over into the next semester by taking a registration discount.

Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. This only applies to students registering again for a full semester and cannot be used as a drop-in, but it can be used if you are changing class type or even the family member enrolled. Note: If you are registering multiple family members who need to take the makeup credit, each student registration will need to be its own transaction.

[box type="info"] Prenatal, Postnatal, and Baby Yoga class carry-over exception: Due to constraints of due dates and return-to-work scheduling, we allow students in these classes to take their one class carry-over in person without registering for the next series. That class must be attended during the first 4 weeks of the next semester, or within 4 weeks of being cleared for activity if you are making up a prenatal class postnatally (so by the time baby is 12 weeks old). The makeup scheduler will not work for this; just email to let us know which class you will attend.

No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.[/box]

Yoga Trapeze

Space is limited in Yoga Trapeze by the number of rigs, however, we have two ceiling attachments that are not included in our class capacity count, so there is usually space for makeup students in those spots.

Trapeze students or a family member may make up in any other appropriate class during the same semester time frame. There are several ways to reserve your spot in a makeup class:

Use the makeup scheduler to reserve another Yoga Trapeze class (Note: A family member may only take a trapeze makeup if they themselves are enrolled in or have completed a semester of Yoga Trapeze or a week of camp);
Use the discount code "trapezemakeup" to drop in to any adult-mat class – all levels, prenatal, etc; or
Email us to let us know you'd like to attend a family class.

Carry-over Makeup - Trapeze

Continuing students may "carry one class over" into a subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.

Infant Massage

Because instruction is progressive and space is limited, only students enrolled in infant massage may makeup in infant massage.

Enrolled students can access an online course reviewing all the material in the live class. Additionally, because the content is always covered in the same order, infant massage students who miss are welcome to make up that same class in a subsequent series - if you miss class #2, attend the next class #2. Just email to let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class can I take as a makeup?

The only multi-week classes with a makeup restriction are yoga trapeze and infant massage. You must be enrolled in one of those classes to make up in one of them.

Otherwise, take any class appropriate for the family member doing the makeup. You can even send different family members to do the makeup class. Students may make up in any location.

For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a makeup (baby can even tag along). If you and your child miss Little Family Yoga, you and an older child may attend family yoga, you and a younger child may attend Baby Yoga & Play, or you may attend an adult class for yourself. Anytime we have a "Pop-Up" class on the schedule, that can be a makeup.

How do I reserve a makeup class?

Our registration system has makeup reservations. Log in to the system and look for makeups in the drop-down menu under classes (this option only appears for registered students). See instructions here.

Scroll back up for special notes for Yoga Trapeze students.

I really am only able to attend a couple classes, can I drop-in?

Adult classes – Prenatal, Postnatal, All Levels Yoga (adults), and Yoga Trapeze (adult 16+) – are the only classes where we allow drop-in attendance. If you sign up for multiple drop-in classes in the same transaction, there is an automatic discount.

If a drop-in must be rescheduled, it must be used within 4 weeks of the original date(s).

Making Up in a Pop-Up Class or Intro to Yoga Trapeze

Occasionally we offer "Pop Up" classes not associated with a series. Advanced reservation is required. Pop-ups with insufficient registration 3 days in advance may be canceled.

We publish pop-up classes on our regular class calendar. They tend to happen at the end of a term, but Baby Yoga & Play is occasionally scheduled for weekend pop-up classes! Get on our newsletter list to be notified.

If the pop-up doesn't appear on your makeup scheduler and we didn't send out a discount code for current students, email us to get on the roster.

Question 17

Can we do a trial class or drop into a Tot, Preschooler, Family, Kids or Tween Yoga class occasionally?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Nope, sorry. We don’t offer drop-in options for classes for crawling or older children or trial classes during the regular session.

Children really do need the consistency of a weekly class both for comfort and so they can best learn and drop-ins can be disruptive to the class routine. Read more. tot yoga game with bolsters Since it often takes several classes for a child to settle in, dropping in once is not really the best indicator of whether your child will enjoy class.

However, we get that it can be tough to commit to a class when you can’t imagine what happens or how your child will react, so:

We have a no-risk refund policy. If you register for a class and decide for any reason it’s a bad fit for you, your child, or your schedule, and you decide early in the series, you can drop the class and get a prorated refund. See details.
We occasionally offer trial/drop-in days, when the teacher will spend a little extra time explaining the class routine and parents get a chance to see a class in action.

We also understand that life is unpredictable and have a generous makeup policy for families that wish to commit to a series but know they will miss a class or two.

Question 18

Which parent-child class should we take?

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We have several different parent-child yoga classes on our schedule and people have asked, which one should they should sign up for? To answer that, pick the best description that fits your situation: If you have one child, pick the appropriate age range:

newborn to almost crawling babies - Baby Yoga & Play or Infant Massage
crawling (or almost crawling and at least 7 months old) to 1 years - Tot Yoga
12-24 months - Tot Yoga or Toddler Family Yoga or as a younger sibling in Little Family Yoga
almost 2 to 4 years - Toddler Family Yoga or Little Family Yoga
3 yrs - Toddler Family Yoga, Prenatal Yoga or as a younger sibling in Family Yoga
4 yrs - Little Family Yoga or Family Yoga
5-10 yrs - Family Yoga

If you have a 3 year old or children in multiple age ranges, you have a choice of classes: Toddler Family Yoga (steady walking - 35 months)

Very active, playful class with simple movements, yoga poses, and beginning breath and body awareness exercises
Beginning to incorporate imaginative play and simple storytelling in relation to the yoga poses and activities
Typically only uses yoga mats as a prop or for relaxation
Younger siblings welcome (non walking infants free)

Little Family Yoga Yoga (21 months - 4 yrs)

Very active, playful class with age appropriate yoga poses and beginning breath and body awareness exercises
Incorporates imaginative play and storytelling in relation to the yoga poses and activities
Games are very simple, usually consisting of only one or two steps: jumping in and out of circles, following directions ...
Partner poses are very simple
Typically only uses yoga mats as a prop or for relaxation
Especially good for young 4 year olds or reserved children likely to stay close to their parent during class
Appropriate for siblings younger than 2 to participate (may enroll at half price, non walking infants free)

Family Yoga (4-8 or 10 yrs)

Still active and playful, in fact a bit more athletic as coordination improves,
More imagination/pretend, more and more involved stories,
Games become more complicated and start to have rules: move & freeze, musical mats ...
Partner poses with parents begin to be recognizable as yoga poses
Uses mats for the majority of the class, but children will move around the room for many activities
Appropriate for younger siblings 2.5 years and older or older siblings 10 and younger to participate (50% sibling discount, strongly recommend second adult participant when sibling is younger than 3)
May also be appropriate for 3-year olds who've taken our classes for several months and would enjoy the challenge of keeping up with the big kids. By permission only.

All classes can accommodate younger or older siblings, so what do you do if both children are not within the same class age range? You have multiple children to enroll:

A 3-year-old and a 1-year-old - Little Family Yoga (2-4 yrs) with the younger one enrolled at half price
A 5/6 year old and a 2.5 year old - Family Yoga (4-8 years) with the younger enrolled at half price
A 5- and 9-year-old - Family Yoga (4-8 yrs) with the older enrolled at half price.

Sibling discounts are automatic; just sign up both children.

Question 19

What if my child doesn't like a class? Can we withdraw?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

We often here from parents that they are hesitant to enroll if they aren't sure their child will enjoy a class. We get it. That's why we have our:

No Risk Refund Policy - Not sure if a kids & family series class will be right for you or your child? Register and come to the first class. If you notify us in writing within 48 hours after the first class that you will not be able to continue the session, we refund all but $2o for that first class.

We are also very flexible about switching classes for students who have nap time shifts during the course of a series. For example, if your child is enrolled in an 11 am class and starts napping at that time, we'll happily switch her into one of our 9 or 9:30 am classes instead.

Question 20

My baby is too old for Baby Yoga & Play but not walking yet, is there a class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes! That’s Tot Yoga, which is for crawlers (or near crawlers) and walkers up to 24 months.

Question 21

Can I bring my baby along with my preschooler to class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes, please do. We often have younger siblings in tow for Little Families Yoga classes. They are welcome to nap or be in arms during class. No charge for non-walking siblings, just bring them along. Learn more about Early Childhood Yoga

Question 22

Which class should I start with for my 21 month old who’s never taken yoga before?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Probably Toddler Family Yoga, but get in touch if you think the slower, slightly less boisterous environment of Tot Yoga might be a better fit. Learn more about Early Childhood Yoga classes.

Question 23

My child is super active/busy. Is Little Families or Preschooler Yoga class appropriate for them?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yep. We move a ton.

Generally, if you are enrolling in a class for your child's age, we are prepared for your child to behave in age-appropriate ways.

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1184" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/bsfy-kids-yoga-638-250x166.jpg" alt="kids yoga bow" width="250" height="166" />For Little Families Yoga (2-4 yrs), we don't use yoga mats and instead move all over the room. Some of our students are always on the go and that’s really quite alright. Some toddlers seriously need to move in order to pay attention. Those are the students parents assure me do the yoga poses at home, just never in class. Sometimes those students join in briefly whenever their favorite activities come up and then go back to running in circles. It’s all good.

For Kids or Family Yoga (ages 3-6, or 4+), we do use mats and are beginning to learn to be on the mats for much of the class. Class is still super active, we move off mats for all sorts of games, and we don't expect stillness from young children.

If your child has special needs, it is helpful to check in ahead of time so the instructor can be prepared and think through lessons and activities with your child's needs in mind. We are happy to have you enroll and decide after the first class or two if it is the right fit. Again though, check in with the instructor. Parents are typically more worried about possible disruptive behavior than our yoga teachers and will work with you on strategies to help your child succeed in class.

Question 24

Do parents participate in early childhood or family yoga? Will I get a workout?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright wp-image-7536 size-medium" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/Tot-kicking-cobra-250x166.jpg" alt="tot yoga kicking cobra" width="250" height="166" />We do expect parent participation. The more yoga you do in class the more your child will do.

While parents should expect to move quite a lot, we will be doing yoga appropriate for the child's age range, so it’s probably not a workout for the grownups as compared to an adult class.

Question 25

Is early childhood or family yoga safe for me if I’m pregnant/have special conditions?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1953" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/amalie-2-4yrs-250x117.jpg" alt="Amalie teaching Little Families, preschooler yoga" width="250" height="117" />Poses and activities are designed with toddlers/preschoolers in mind. While your instructor will likely be able to make suggestions, we expect adults to take care of their own bodies during class.

It’s rarely a problem. Pregnant moms often skip or modify belly-down poses and anything else that doesn’t feel right and adults with special conditions adjusting accordingly.

The biggest challenge is probably for adults who have significant difficulty getting up and down from the floor. I’ve had mobility-challenged caregivers, usually older nannies or grandparents, do very few of the poses with no problem. My suggestion is to try it and see how it goes.

Do note that several of our class venues are down a flight of stairs (strollers can be left locked outside). Our Saturday and Sunday class venues are handicap accessible.

Question 26

Sibling and Nanny Share Registration and Discounts - Children's and Family Classes

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Yes, one adult can bring more than one child to class. (See below for special nanny share policies)

Note: Discounts codes do not combine. The registration system automatically applies the largest possible discount. Staff are unable to retroactively add discounts.

Baby Yoga & Play

Yes, you can bring twins. Because so much of this class hands on we charge the same for two babies as one baby if there's only one caregiver attending. No need to register both babies, simply put them both in your account profile, sign one up, and join us. If you are bringing two adults, you must register both children. Sibling discounts will apply.

Nanny shares are treated like twins for pricing purposes, but registration is different (see below).

Tot Yoga

Yes, twins, siblings. and nanny-shares are welcome, however all children between crawling-24 months must be registered and all children present must have accounts in the system.

Sibling discounts automatically apply during checkout. See below for nanny-share registration and discount.

No need to register non-mobile infants - whether younger siblings or share partners. They are welcome to tag along with parent/caregiver, just note them on the registration form (and have their parents create an account for them if they are not attending with a paying sibling).

Little Family Yoga or Toddler Family Yoga

Again, twins, younger siblings, and nanny-shares are welcome. This is the age range we most often see younger siblings. All children older than 1 year must register for class.

Sibling discounts automatically apply during checkout. See below for nanny-share registration and discount.

No need to register non-mobile infants - whether younger siblings or share partners. They are welcome to tag along with parent/caregiver, just note them on the registration form (and have their parents create an account for them if they are not attending with a paying sibling).

Family Yoga

Siblings up to one year younger or older than the target age range are welcome to register for Family Yoga classes. For example, 3-year-olds are welcome in classes with the stated range of 4-8 yrs. If you have any questions about the appropriateness of class for your child, please contact us. Sibling discounts are automatic.

Please contact us with any additional questions or to discuss situations that don't fit the above scenarios.

Nanny Share Registration

All children must be added to their own parent's account in our registration system to attend class. Please do not add an unrelated nanny-share child to your profile. Their parents must set up an account and accept our terms & conditions. If a nanny-share misses a class, the whole share is welcome to make up class on an alternate day or parents of the enrolled students my bring the child to do a makeup on the weekend, with or without their share partner. Class specific policies:

Tot, Toddler or Little Family Yoga - Families registering as part of a nanny share (one caregiver bringing multiple unrelated children) are are eligible for a 20% discount with the code NANNYSHARE20. Discounts must be taken during registration and cannot be applied retroactively.
Baby Yoga & Play - Because so much of this class hands on we charge the same for two babies as one baby if there's only one caregiver attending. However both families in a Nanny Share registration must create accounts and be reachable in case of emergency, so both families can use the discount code NANNYSHARE50 to take half off registration.

Each family in a nanny share should sign up with the discount code and note their share partner during registration.

Question 27

Early Childhood Yoga - Class Description

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Preschool, Toddler Yoga All our early childhood classes are taught family-style. Up to two parents may attend these class with the registered child. Little Family Yoga welcomes walking younger siblings to join the fun, no charge for infants under 1 year. Learn more about early childhood classes.

Early childhood yoga classes are offered in three formats:

Question 28

What's the difference between Tot Yoga and Preschooler, Little Family or Toddler Family Yoga?

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Our Tot Yoga (crawling-24 months) and Preschooler Yoga (21 months-4 yrs) have a 3 month age overlap on purpose. Personality, more than physical development, should be the deciding factor between the two classes. Tot Yoga tends to be a quieter class with more repetition from week to week, so suits more reserved toddlers better. Preschooler / Little Family Yoga tends to be louder and move move more quickly from activity to activity to suit the energy level of 2-4 yr olds. Little Family Yoga requires more verbal direction following, incorporates more imaginative play, and typically involves less physical helping from parents. Very active almost-2 year olds often do well in this class because the social environment challenges them more than that of the younger group. Younger siblings accustomed to the energy and speed of older toddlers and preschoolers tend to enjoy this class as well, even if they are not able to do every pose. Toddler Family Yoga (walking-4 yrs) is a crossover class which is very much like Little Family Yoga with some adaptations 12-21 month old students.

Question 29

How to Schedule Makeup Class

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We offer classes in multi-week series. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that life happens. We have a very generous makeup policy. We allow students to make up in nearly any other class on our schedule in the same semester and allow family members to take makeups in the registered student's place.

This is quite flexible. For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a make up. If you miss Little Family Yoga you may take a prenatal yoga class or come to Baby & Toddler Singing Time (weekly class, not weekend workshop). Parents of children enrolled in a class make take any adult mat class on our schedule as a makeup. Students may make up in any location.

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Makeup Scheduling Online

There is a makeup scheduler in the MainStreetSites registration system. You must be logged into your account for the makeup scheduler to appear and you must be enrolled in a class for makeup spots to be available.

Once you are logged in, simply choose an appropriate makeup from the classes that appear. The student drop-down must match the enrolled student. If you are sending a different student than the original enrollment, just note that in the text field.

Note that toward the end of the semester, there may not be any available makeups in your desired class. We recommend scheduling your makeup as soon as you know you will miss and when you can attend instead. Makeups do not carry over to the next semester.

Yoga Trapeze Makeups

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Students who miss a trapeze class may make up in any other appropriate class, trapeze or mat-based.

Workshop Makeups: Infant Massage, Birth & Baby Series

Many of our workshops are one time events and there is no makeup option if you do not attend. See our workshop enrollment and refund policies for details.

For short series classes such as Infant Massage, students may attend the same class in a subsequent series as a makeup. Those makeups are not in the scheduler. Email us to confirm.

Question 30

Baby Yoga & Play Registration and Attendance

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Baby Yoga & Play classes are offered in 4-8-week series. Full registration required, no drop-ins. moms and babies in yoga class

We know it's hard to get out of the house with a newborn, that naps are sometimes unpredictable, and life can be complicated . . . and that's why we require series registration for this class. Committing to the whole series makes it infinitely more likely that you actually attend. It far too easy to say "oh, I'll go next week" if you are planning on dropping in. If you end up with an unavoidable conflict, illness, or disrupted nap-time, you can take advantage of our generous makeup policy.

Flexibility in Baby Yoga & Play

Because it's hard to convince babies to be born and maternity leaves to be set on our schedule, we offer lots of flexibility:

Generous Makeup Options - If students must miss a class, they are welcome to
- attend any other family yoga class as a makeup within the same timeframe, or
- bring a friend to class as a makeup. See makeup class FAQs for details.

[box type="warning"] Due to COVID precautions, all attendees over 5 years of age must show (or send) proof of COVID vaccination before their first class.[/box]

Any of baby's favorite grownups are welcome in this class - mom, dad, grandparent, nanny . . . and the same adult need not attend each time. Registration is for one adult-baby on a weekly basis, but occasional visitors are welcome to attend as well.
Late or Partial Registration: If there is room in the class once the series begins, late registration will remain open for the first 1/3 of the series. Registration automatically prorates. If you can't complete a series but can commit to 2/3 of the series in consecutive weeks - say because you are going back to work before our series ends - contact us about partial enrollment.

So what does this mean?

If a full series conflicts with work or travel, feel free to attend multiple times a week during the weeks you can attend.
If you are going back to work and baby will be home with a nanny or other caregiver, feel free to have them attend in your stead.

Still not sure if Baby Yoga & Play is right for you? That's why we have a no-risk registration policy. If you attend your first class and decide it's not a good fit, we make it easy to drop a class series. Read all of our class policies and FAQs. See additional policies for:

Question 31

Makeup Policies - Weekly Series Classes

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Our classes are generally offered in multi-week series with students committing to multiple consecutive classes. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that modern life is busy and sometimes unpredictable. If you must miss a class, you have several options to make it up:

[caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignright" width="250"] toddler family yoga

Family, kids, and family classes require a series commitment. Need to miss due to travel, illness, or another conflict? Take advantage of our generous makeup policy.[/caption]

Take another class.

Any family member of the enrolled student may take any other appropriate* weekly class during the same semester, even in advance – this means the same class on an alternate day or something different; Use our makeup scheduler. (See instructions here. Please email if you have any questions.)

Family members should take a class appropriate for them - for example, a younger sibling and parent may attend an early childhood class or a parent may take a mat-based adult class. Exception: Yoga Trapeze classes and infant massage are only open to makeup by students enrolled in that type of class.
Bring a friend.

If space is available in your mat-based or family yoga class, you may bring a friend as your make-up (instead of option 1). This is not allowed in trapeze yoga. Please confirm space availability with your instructor. Guests will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Practice with our video library.

If scheduling a makeup doesn't work for you, you can view selections from our video library and practice at home. You'll find recordings in the Parent Portal of our registration site.
Carry over one credit to your next series registration.

Continuing students may carry one class over into the subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. See below.

Additional Detials by Class Type

Weekly Mat-based Classes (non-trapeze)

Carry-over Makeup - Mat-based

We get that scheduling a makeup class isn't always possible, so we extend the following courtesy to continuing students: carry the value of one class over into the next semester by taking a registration discount.

Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. This only applies to students registering again for a full semester and cannot be used as a drop-in, but it can be used if you are changing class type or even the family member enrolled. Note: If you are registering multiple family members who need to take the makeup credit, each student registration will need to be its own transaction.

[box type="info"] Prenatal, Postnatal, and Baby Yoga class carry-over exception: Due to constraints of due dates and return-to-work scheduling, we allow students in these classes to take their one class carry-over in person without registering for the next series. That class must be attended during the first 4 weeks of the next semester, or within 4 weeks of being cleared for activity if you are making up a prenatal class postnatally (so by the time baby is 12 weeks old). The makeup scheduler will not work for this; just email to let us know which class you will attend.

No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.[/box]

Yoga Trapeze

Space is limited in Yoga Trapeze by the number of rigs, however, we have two ceiling attachments that are not included in our class capacity count, so there is usually space for makeup students in those spots.

Trapeze students or a family member may make up in any other appropriate class during the same semester time frame. There are several ways to reserve your spot in a makeup class:

Use the makeup scheduler to reserve another Yoga Trapeze class (Note: A family member may only take a trapeze makeup if they themselves are enrolled in or have completed a semester of Yoga Trapeze or a week of camp);
Use the discount code "trapezemakeup" to drop in to any adult-mat class – all levels, prenatal, etc; or
Email us to let us know you'd like to attend a family class.

Carry-over Makeup - Trapeze

Continuing students may "carry one class over" into a subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.

Infant Massage

Because instruction is progressive and space is limited, only students enrolled in infant massage may makeup in infant massage.

Enrolled students can access an online course reviewing all the material in the live class. Additionally, because the content is always covered in the same order, infant massage students who miss are welcome to make up that same class in a subsequent series - if you miss class #2, attend the next class #2. Just email to let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class can I take as a makeup?

The only multi-week classes with a makeup restriction are yoga trapeze and infant massage. You must be enrolled in one of those classes to make up in one of them.

Otherwise, take any class appropriate for the family member doing the makeup. You can even send different family members to do the makeup class. Students may make up in any location.

For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a makeup (baby can even tag along). If you and your child miss Little Family Yoga, you and an older child may attend family yoga, you and a younger child may attend Baby Yoga & Play, or you may attend an adult class for yourself. Anytime we have a "Pop-Up" class on the schedule, that can be a makeup.

How do I reserve a makeup class?

Our registration system has makeup reservations. Log in to the system and look for makeups in the drop-down menu under classes (this option only appears for registered students). See instructions here.

Scroll back up for special notes for Yoga Trapeze students.

I really am only able to attend a couple classes, can I drop-in?

Adult classes – Prenatal, Postnatal, All Levels Yoga (adults), and Yoga Trapeze (adult 16+) – are the only classes where we allow drop-in attendance. If you sign up for multiple drop-in classes in the same transaction, there is an automatic discount.

If a drop-in must be rescheduled, it must be used within 4 weeks of the original date(s).

Making Up in a Pop-Up Class or Intro to Yoga Trapeze

Occasionally we offer "Pop Up" classes not associated with a series. Advanced reservation is required. Pop-ups with insufficient registration 3 days in advance may be canceled.

We publish pop-up classes on our regular class calendar. They tend to happen at the end of a term, but Baby Yoga & Play is occasionally scheduled for weekend pop-up classes! Get on our newsletter list to be notified.

If the pop-up doesn't appear on your makeup scheduler and we didn't send out a discount code for current students, email us to get on the roster.

Question 32

How are Breathing Space Baby Yoga & Play classes different from postnatal yoga or classes offered elsewhere?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

There are a lot of yoga studios advertising parent & baby classes, but it's sometimes hard to tell from the descriptions what will actually happen in class. baby yoga class

Some instructors focus exclusively on mom. They keep the lights low and the room warm in the hopes that baby will sleep. Some instructors incorporate infant massage and movements in the first few minutes of class and then shift their attention to adult yoga for the rest of the class. In a lot of classes, baby's roll is relegated to being used as a weight, all be it a very cute one. While there's nothing wrong with any of these approaches, that's not what we are doing at in Baby Yoga & Play. baby yoga class

Baby Yoga & Play focuses on the interaction between baby and caregiver with lots of baby-centric activities, but we do incorporate postpartum appropriate stretching and strengthening for caregivers. baby in tummy time pose

Babies participate while on their backs, tummies, or held in loving arms. For grownups, this class is a special opportunity to meet other parents and caregivers, get support, and learn about baby’s emerging personality [caption id="attachment_4503" align="alignright" width="250"] Baby & Me Yoga Class

We blend baby moves with postures for parents[/caption] Grownups in Baby Yoga & Play will also get to do a bit of postpartum-appropriate yoga themselves, including strength- and flexibility-building postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to address common physical complaints and mental/emotional stressors during the new-parent period. Breathing Space Baby Yoga & Play series also incorporates developmental topics and time for parent-to-parent support during class. Our hope is that the community built in yoga will carry over into friendships and playdates off the mat. Most appropriate from 6-weeks until baby is mobile. Moms, dads, grandparents or other caregivers welcome. No previous yoga experience necessary; be prepared/dressed for movement.

So how about Breathing Space Postnatal Yoga?

Breathing Space has just launched a Postnatal Yoga class on Tuesday nights over Zoom. That class and anything else we describe as Postnatal Yoga will be focused on adult yoga. If babies are fussy, we may adapt our plan to accommodate, but the emphasis will be on postpartum appropriate asana, breathwork, concentration, and relaxation.

Question 33

What should I bring to Baby Yoga & Play? Do I need a yoga mat?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignleft wp-image-4953 size-medium" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555-250x237.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" srcset="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555-250x237.jpg 250w, https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555.jpg 453w" alt="playing in baby yoga" width="250" height="237" />Please bring a baby blanket and small, quiet toy to all our class locations.

Most of our venues have a few yoga mats to lend, but you may prefer your own yoga mat for hygiene or comfort. If so, please bring one.

Question 34

My baby is too old for Baby Yoga & Play but not walking yet, is there a class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes! That’s Tot Yoga, which is for crawlers (or near crawlers) and walkers up to 24 months.

Question 35

Will I get a workout in Baby Yoga & Play? Do I need workout clothing?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Baby Yoga & Play focuses on the interaction between baby and caregiver with lots of baby-centric activities, but we do incorporate postpartum appropriate stretching and strengthening for caregivers. It is not designed as a workout for caregivers, but you do need to be prepared to move and we hope you will leave feeling better in your body than you arrived. Comfortable, stretchy clothing is important and jeans are not recommended. We spend a good portion of the class sitting criss-cross or in other positions on the floor and we get up and down several times. Almost every class incorporates lunges or squats while holding baby as well as some shoulder or low-back exercises for caregivers. All postures can be modified to address caregiver movement limitations.

Question 36

My baby is only 3 or 4 weeks old when the class starts, do I need to wait for the 6-week appointment to attend?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4777" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_2199-3-e1469365649299-250x141.jpg" alt="moms and babies in yoga class" width="250" height="141" />Generally, class is most appropriate after 6 weeks. We strongly recommend that you be cleared for exercise, especially if you had a surgical birth or complications. Baby too tends to be more ready to participate after about 6 weeks. A 45-minute class is a long time for a newborn. Very young babies often sleep, eat, or fuss their way through class.

That said, you are still welcome to come. We’ve had moms happily start class as soon as they are ready to be out and about, modifying exercises that are too strenuous (such as skipping the abs) and addressing baby’s needs as they arise. Sometimes, just being at class is what mom needs. If that’s you, please come.

If you would like to wait until the six-week mark but class is already starting, don’t fret. Late registration is welcome for several weeks into the series as long as there is room in the class. We are happy to reserve your child’s spot in advance if you contact us.

Question 37

What happens if my baby cries?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3599" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Me-Yoga-1-250x250.jpg" alt="baby yoga" width="250" height="250" />Your baby will cry.

Let’s just get that out in the open. That’s how babies communicate; it’s totally fine.

Even the fussiest babies are welcome in class. Your instructor will not be distressed and is happy to have you there and, I promise, the other moms/caregivers have been there and will be far less upset about your baby fussing than you will be. Please join us.

Question 38

What happens if baby needs to eat or be changed or falls asleep during class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2251" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/baby-yoga-705-250x141.jpg" alt="baby yoga class" width="250" height="141" />That’s fine too. We are not running baby boot-camp.

Question 39

How to Schedule Makeup Class

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We offer classes in multi-week series. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that life happens. We have a very generous makeup policy. We allow students to make up in nearly any other class on our schedule in the same semester and allow family members to take makeups in the registered student's place.

This is quite flexible. For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a make up. If you miss Little Family Yoga you may take a prenatal yoga class or come to Baby & Toddler Singing Time (weekly class, not weekend workshop). Parents of children enrolled in a class make take any adult mat class on our schedule as a makeup. Students may make up in any location.

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Makeup Scheduling Online

There is a makeup scheduler in the MainStreetSites registration system. You must be logged into your account for the makeup scheduler to appear and you must be enrolled in a class for makeup spots to be available.

Once you are logged in, simply choose an appropriate makeup from the classes that appear. The student drop-down must match the enrolled student. If you are sending a different student than the original enrollment, just note that in the text field.

Note that toward the end of the semester, there may not be any available makeups in your desired class. We recommend scheduling your makeup as soon as you know you will miss and when you can attend instead. Makeups do not carry over to the next semester.

Yoga Trapeze Makeups

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Students who miss a trapeze class may make up in any other appropriate class, trapeze or mat-based.

Workshop Makeups: Infant Massage, Birth & Baby Series

Many of our workshops are one time events and there is no makeup option if you do not attend. See our workshop enrollment and refund policies for details.

For short series classes such as Infant Massage, students may attend the same class in a subsequent series as a makeup. Those makeups are not in the scheduler. Email us to confirm.

Question 40

Baby Yoga & Play Registration and Attendance

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

Baby Yoga & Play classes are offered in 4-8-week series. Full registration required, no drop-ins. moms and babies in yoga class

We know it's hard to get out of the house with a newborn, that naps are sometimes unpredictable, and life can be complicated . . . and that's why we require series registration for this class. Committing to the whole series makes it infinitely more likely that you actually attend. It far too easy to say "oh, I'll go next week" if you are planning on dropping in. If you end up with an unavoidable conflict, illness, or disrupted nap-time, you can take advantage of our generous makeup policy.

Flexibility in Baby Yoga & Play

Because it's hard to convince babies to be born and maternity leaves to be set on our schedule, we offer lots of flexibility:

Generous Makeup Options - If students must miss a class, they are welcome to
- attend any other family yoga class as a makeup within the same timeframe, or
- bring a friend to class as a makeup. See makeup class FAQs for details.

[box type="warning"] Due to COVID precautions, all attendees over 5 years of age must show (or send) proof of COVID vaccination before their first class.[/box]

Any of baby's favorite grownups are welcome in this class - mom, dad, grandparent, nanny . . . and the same adult need not attend each time. Registration is for one adult-baby on a weekly basis, but occasional visitors are welcome to attend as well.
Late or Partial Registration: If there is room in the class once the series begins, late registration will remain open for the first 1/3 of the series. Registration automatically prorates. If you can't complete a series but can commit to 2/3 of the series in consecutive weeks - say because you are going back to work before our series ends - contact us about partial enrollment.

So what does this mean?

If a full series conflicts with work or travel, feel free to attend multiple times a week during the weeks you can attend.
If you are going back to work and baby will be home with a nanny or other caregiver, feel free to have them attend in your stead.

Still not sure if Baby Yoga & Play is right for you? That's why we have a no-risk registration policy. If you attend your first class and decide it's not a good fit, we make it easy to drop a class series. Read all of our class policies and FAQs. See additional policies for:

Question 41

Makeup Policies - Weekly Series Classes

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Our classes are generally offered in multi-week series with students committing to multiple consecutive classes. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that modern life is busy and sometimes unpredictable. If you must miss a class, you have several options to make it up:

[caption id="attachment_1991" align="alignright" width="250"] toddler family yoga

Family, kids, and family classes require a series commitment. Need to miss due to travel, illness, or another conflict? Take advantage of our generous makeup policy.[/caption]

Take another class.

Any family member of the enrolled student may take any other appropriate* weekly class during the same semester, even in advance – this means the same class on an alternate day or something different; Use our makeup scheduler. (See instructions here. Please email if you have any questions.)

Family members should take a class appropriate for them - for example, a younger sibling and parent may attend an early childhood class or a parent may take a mat-based adult class. Exception: Yoga Trapeze classes and infant massage are only open to makeup by students enrolled in that type of class.
Bring a friend.

If space is available in your mat-based or family yoga class, you may bring a friend as your make-up (instead of option 1). This is not allowed in trapeze yoga. Please confirm space availability with your instructor. Guests will be asked to sign a waiver upon arrival.
Practice with our video library.

If scheduling a makeup doesn't work for you, you can view selections from our video library and practice at home. You'll find recordings in the Parent Portal of our registration site.
Carry over one credit to your next series registration.

Continuing students may carry one class over into the subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. See below.

Additional Detials by Class Type

Weekly Mat-based Classes (non-trapeze)

Carry-over Makeup - Mat-based

We get that scheduling a makeup class isn't always possible, so we extend the following courtesy to continuing students: carry the value of one class over into the next semester by taking a registration discount.

Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. This only applies to students registering again for a full semester and cannot be used as a drop-in, but it can be used if you are changing class type or even the family member enrolled. Note: If you are registering multiple family members who need to take the makeup credit, each student registration will need to be its own transaction.

[box type="info"] Prenatal, Postnatal, and Baby Yoga class carry-over exception: Due to constraints of due dates and return-to-work scheduling, we allow students in these classes to take their one class carry-over in person without registering for the next series. That class must be attended during the first 4 weeks of the next semester, or within 4 weeks of being cleared for activity if you are making up a prenatal class postnatally (so by the time baby is 12 weeks old). The makeup scheduler will not work for this; just email to let us know which class you will attend.

No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.[/box]

Yoga Trapeze

Space is limited in Yoga Trapeze by the number of rigs, however, we have two ceiling attachments that are not included in our class capacity count, so there is usually space for makeup students in those spots.

Trapeze students or a family member may make up in any other appropriate class during the same semester time frame. There are several ways to reserve your spot in a makeup class:

Use the makeup scheduler to reserve another Yoga Trapeze class (Note: A family member may only take a trapeze makeup if they themselves are enrolled in or have completed a semester of Yoga Trapeze or a week of camp);
Use the discount code "trapezemakeup" to drop in to any adult-mat class – all levels, prenatal, etc; or
Email us to let us know you'd like to attend a family class.

Carry-over Makeup - Trapeze

Continuing students may "carry one class over" into a subsequent session by taking a registration discount on your next series. Use discount code “seriesmakeup” when registering to take your credit. No other makeups are allowed after a semester ends.

Infant Massage

Because instruction is progressive and space is limited, only students enrolled in infant massage may makeup in infant massage.

Enrolled students can access an online course reviewing all the material in the live class. Additionally, because the content is always covered in the same order, infant massage students who miss are welcome to make up that same class in a subsequent series - if you miss class #2, attend the next class #2. Just email to let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which class can I take as a makeup?

The only multi-week classes with a makeup restriction are yoga trapeze and infant massage. You must be enrolled in one of those classes to make up in one of them.

Otherwise, take any class appropriate for the family member doing the makeup. You can even send different family members to do the makeup class. Students may make up in any location.

For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a makeup (baby can even tag along). If you and your child miss Little Family Yoga, you and an older child may attend family yoga, you and a younger child may attend Baby Yoga & Play, or you may attend an adult class for yourself. Anytime we have a "Pop-Up" class on the schedule, that can be a makeup.

How do I reserve a makeup class?

Our registration system has makeup reservations. Log in to the system and look for makeups in the drop-down menu under classes (this option only appears for registered students). See instructions here.

Scroll back up for special notes for Yoga Trapeze students.

I really am only able to attend a couple classes, can I drop-in?

Adult classes – Prenatal, Postnatal, All Levels Yoga (adults), and Yoga Trapeze (adult 16+) – are the only classes where we allow drop-in attendance. If you sign up for multiple drop-in classes in the same transaction, there is an automatic discount.

If a drop-in must be rescheduled, it must be used within 4 weeks of the original date(s).

Making Up in a Pop-Up Class or Intro to Yoga Trapeze

Occasionally we offer "Pop Up" classes not associated with a series. Advanced reservation is required. Pop-ups with insufficient registration 3 days in advance may be canceled.

We publish pop-up classes on our regular class calendar. They tend to happen at the end of a term, but Baby Yoga & Play is occasionally scheduled for weekend pop-up classes! Get on our newsletter list to be notified.

If the pop-up doesn't appear on your makeup scheduler and we didn't send out a discount code for current students, email us to get on the roster.

Question 42

How are Breathing Space Baby Yoga & Play classes different from postnatal yoga or classes offered elsewhere?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

There are a lot of yoga studios advertising parent & baby classes, but it's sometimes hard to tell from the descriptions what will actually happen in class. baby yoga class

Some instructors focus exclusively on mom. They keep the lights low and the room warm in the hopes that baby will sleep. Some instructors incorporate infant massage and movements in the first few minutes of class and then shift their attention to adult yoga for the rest of the class. In a lot of classes, baby's roll is relegated to being used as a weight, all be it a very cute one. While there's nothing wrong with any of these approaches, that's not what we are doing at in Baby Yoga & Play. baby yoga class

Baby Yoga & Play focuses on the interaction between baby and caregiver with lots of baby-centric activities, but we do incorporate postpartum appropriate stretching and strengthening for caregivers. baby in tummy time pose

Babies participate while on their backs, tummies, or held in loving arms. For grownups, this class is a special opportunity to meet other parents and caregivers, get support, and learn about baby’s emerging personality [caption id="attachment_4503" align="alignright" width="250"] Baby & Me Yoga Class

We blend baby moves with postures for parents[/caption] Grownups in Baby Yoga & Play will also get to do a bit of postpartum-appropriate yoga themselves, including strength- and flexibility-building postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to address common physical complaints and mental/emotional stressors during the new-parent period. Breathing Space Baby Yoga & Play series also incorporates developmental topics and time for parent-to-parent support during class. Our hope is that the community built in yoga will carry over into friendships and playdates off the mat. Most appropriate from 6-weeks until baby is mobile. Moms, dads, grandparents or other caregivers welcome. No previous yoga experience necessary; be prepared/dressed for movement.

So how about Breathing Space Postnatal Yoga?

Breathing Space has just launched a Postnatal Yoga class on Tuesday nights over Zoom. That class and anything else we describe as Postnatal Yoga will be focused on adult yoga. If babies are fussy, we may adapt our plan to accommodate, but the emphasis will be on postpartum appropriate asana, breathwork, concentration, and relaxation.

Question 43

What should I bring to Baby Yoga & Play? Do I need a yoga mat?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignleft wp-image-4953 size-medium" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555-250x237.jpg" sizes="(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px" srcset="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555-250x237.jpg 250w, https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0396-e1473861947555.jpg 453w" alt="playing in baby yoga" width="250" height="237" />Please bring a baby blanket and small, quiet toy to all our class locations.

Most of our venues have a few yoga mats to lend, but you may prefer your own yoga mat for hygiene or comfort. If so, please bring one.

Question 44

My baby is too old for Baby Yoga & Play but not walking yet, is there a class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Yes! That’s Tot Yoga, which is for crawlers (or near crawlers) and walkers up to 24 months.

Question 45

Will I get a workout in Baby Yoga & Play? Do I need workout clothing?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

Baby Yoga & Play focuses on the interaction between baby and caregiver with lots of baby-centric activities, but we do incorporate postpartum appropriate stretching and strengthening for caregivers. It is not designed as a workout for caregivers, but you do need to be prepared to move and we hope you will leave feeling better in your body than you arrived. Comfortable, stretchy clothing is important and jeans are not recommended. We spend a good portion of the class sitting criss-cross or in other positions on the floor and we get up and down several times. Almost every class incorporates lunges or squats while holding baby as well as some shoulder or low-back exercises for caregivers. All postures can be modified to address caregiver movement limitations.

Question 46

My baby is only 3 or 4 weeks old when the class starts, do I need to wait for the 6-week appointment to attend?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-4777" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/DSC_2199-3-e1469365649299-250x141.jpg" alt="moms and babies in yoga class" width="250" height="141" />Generally, class is most appropriate after 6 weeks. We strongly recommend that you be cleared for exercise, especially if you had a surgical birth or complications. Baby too tends to be more ready to participate after about 6 weeks. A 45-minute class is a long time for a newborn. Very young babies often sleep, eat, or fuss their way through class.

That said, you are still welcome to come. We’ve had moms happily start class as soon as they are ready to be out and about, modifying exercises that are too strenuous (such as skipping the abs) and addressing baby’s needs as they arise. Sometimes, just being at class is what mom needs. If that’s you, please come.

If you would like to wait until the six-week mark but class is already starting, don’t fret. Late registration is welcome for several weeks into the series as long as there is room in the class. We are happy to reserve your child’s spot in advance if you contact us.

Question 47

What happens if my baby cries?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-3599" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Me-Yoga-1-250x250.jpg" alt="baby yoga" width="250" height="250" />Your baby will cry.

Let’s just get that out in the open. That’s how babies communicate; it’s totally fine.

Even the fussiest babies are welcome in class. Your instructor will not be distressed and is happy to have you there and, I promise, the other moms/caregivers have been there and will be far less upset about your baby fussing than you will be. Please join us.

Question 48

What happens if baby needs to eat or be changed or falls asleep during class?

jenmuelleryoga · Accepted Answer

<img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2251" src="https://breathingspacedc.com/wp-content/uploads/baby-yoga-705-250x141.jpg" alt="baby yoga class" width="250" height="141" />That’s fine too. We are not running baby boot-camp.

Question 49

How to Schedule Makeup Class

Jen Mueller · Accepted Answer

We offer classes in multi-week series. There are lots of benefits to committing to a weekly class but we understand that life happens. We have a very generous makeup policy. We allow students to make up in nearly any other class on our schedule in the same semester and allow family members to take makeups in the registered student's place.

This is quite flexible. For example, if you miss a baby yoga class and there isn't another that suits your schedule, you may bring your toddler to Little Family Yoga as a make up. If you miss Little Family Yoga you may take a prenatal yoga class or come to Baby & Toddler Singing Time (weekly class, not weekend workshop). Parents of children enrolled in a class make take any adult mat class on our schedule as a makeup. Students may make up in any location.

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Makeup Scheduling Online

There is a makeup scheduler in the MainStreetSites registration system. You must be logged into your account for the makeup scheduler to appear and you must be enrolled in a class for makeup spots to be available.

Once you are logged in, simply choose an appropriate makeup from the classes that appear. The student drop-down must match the enrolled student. If you are sending a different student than the original enrollment, just note that in the text field.

Note that toward the end of the semester, there may not be any available makeups in your desired class. We recommend scheduling your makeup as soon as you know you will miss and when you can attend instead. Makeups do not carry over to the next semester.

Yoga Trapeze Makeups

Note: Due to space constraints and safety considerations, students may only makeup in a trapeze class if they are registered in another trapeze class.

Students who miss a trapeze class may make up in any other appropriate class, trapeze or mat-based.

Workshop Makeups: Infant Massage, Birth & Baby Series

Many of our workshops are one time events and there is no makeup option if you do not attend. See our workshop enrollment and refund policies for details.

For short series classes such as Infant Massage, students may attend the same class in a subsequent series as a makeup. Those makeups are not in the scheduler. Email us to confirm.

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