HANDS TOGETHER AT THE MIDLINE
This is a bit of a re-post really, as I wrote about this on Instagram when my first daughter was two years old, but as with all of these things, it’s worth repeating the obvious every now and then, just so we (I) remain mindful of them.
Somewhere between 1 and 4 months old, most babies bring their palms together at the midline before subsequently crossing them over, and then doing lots more exciting things from a developmental perspective in terms of beginning to gain fine motor skills (consciously grabbing things and picking them up, for example). It often happens during that twilight-y time between wakefulness and sleep, as babies (humans!) use this hand position to self soothe.
Now, my elder daughter was never the best self soother (as anyone who knows me knows!), but my second is much better at anything related to sleep in general (and for that I am eternally grateful and will never be smug about, just in case this is all one great big lulling into a false sense of security!). However, my elder one does love ‘doing Namaste’ and bringing her hands down her midline whilst opening the back door and literally greeting the sun in a completely self- made Sun Salute.
It’s one of those scientifically backed ancient things that can’t be a coincidence:- in Christian tradition, this is the most commonly used hand position for praying (and coincidentally, I remember really enjoying doing that in school assemblies, despite my aetheist upbringing), and in other cultures it plays a big role in meditative practices, faith and of course greeting others. This hand gesture, also known as anjali mudra in yoga and Ayurveda, brings together the right and left sides of the body and brain, your masculine and feminine energies, and represents and recognises that beautiful spark of divinity which exists in us all. If that isn’t a soothing thought which makes me feel at ease with myself and others, then I don’t know what is! Time to remember to use this when I’m winding down (even when I’m not meditating or leading a yoga class!)- I’ve noticed my elder daughter often does it when watching TV, and has done for a good couple of years, so I hope she doesn’t stop any time soon. You learn so much from your own children (especially their posture, which is why I’m incorporating some Alexander Technique in my upcoming Mums and babies/toddlers yoga classes). Who needs ancient texts when you have wincy little humans around the place who are wiser than all of us who have forgotten to remain present in our bodies, and are the best teachers if only we remember to listen!?