Simplicity, love and the nurturing power of this precious moment. Jawani Purty massaging her beautiful baby Laxmi with haldi in a remote village Phulijar in Orissa, India. Jawani was alone at home when she birthed her baby, in a mud hut without access to any professional care.

I was captivated by this image, it’s raw simplicity demonstrating baby massage as a regular part of every daily life for mum and baby. Jawani sits in dandasana, her legs together and outstretched, a traditional posture for Baby Massage commonly seen in India.

A subtle reminder that Infant Massage requires no fancy gimmicks or props, just love and the mindful attention and ‘space’ of a parent to practice.

Through centuries parents have massaged their babies. Touch is the first sense to develop in utero and is also the last sense to leave us when we die. Touch is a basic human need – with nurturing healthy touch babies can flourish.

Being touched and caressed, being massaged, is food for the infant. Food as necessary as minerals, vitamins and proteins. Dr. Frederick Leboyer

Our Baby Massage Course is a mindful practice shared over 5 weeks and teaches you how to give your baby a full body massage. So gentle it’s suitable from birth – 12 months. Mums and dads are welcome to join us.

Thank you to Ami Vitale, Jawani and Laxmi for sharing this precious snippet of your life.