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Mothers rock, bounce and crawl with their babies to the sound of soothing music during new wearable dance classes at the nonprofit St. Patrick’s Dance Studio. Paul.

“As a mom or a new parent, you get into quite a tight routine, and it throws us out of that routine,” said Allison Knigge, mother of 6-month-old Daisy.

Classes at the Young Dance studio are intended for parents and guardians with children up to one year of age. It was created to promote bonding through movement and dance as caregivers move with their attached children.

Children at this age are attached to their caregivers and rely on them. Artistic director Anat Shinar said babywearing dance classes encourage caregivers and children to engage in healthy, creative movements, providing them with space to pay attention to their emotions, breathing and relationships with each other.

“Wearing classes are another opportunity for someone to connect with their child, connect with them and find community,” Shinar said.

Classes are held every Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and will last until the end of the season in May. These are drop-in classes, which means parents and guardians can sign up online or show up in person with their child whenever they want.

Each class costs $13, although scholarships are available to increase accessibility; Financial needs are assessed during the registration process.

Executive Director and Babywearing Instructor Gretchen Pick has been with Young Dance for over 20 years. She begins classes with caregivers and children on the ground, stretching and doing breath work.

“Being with other moms”

The toddler trots away while mothers and children sit in a circle. — Ten-month-old August Lancaster begins to move his legs as he and his mother, Lauren, rest during a wearable dance class at Young Dance in St. Paul. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

“I think it was really nice to move together and inhale and exhale,” said Lauren Lancaster, mother of 10-month-old August. “He seemed very at peace with the rocking and spinning, kind of taking it all in.”

For this class, Pick’s style of dance and music is modern, contemporary and slow.

When necessary, such as during Friday’s session when energetic babies like 10-month-old Freddy and 11-month-old Noa were crawling and babbling, she changes the music to a lively one like Israel Kamakawiwo. ole “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”.

“It’s always nice to hang out with other moms and let the baby run wild,” said Lily O’Hara-Brantner, baby Freddy’s mother.

The 45-minute class ends with 15 minutes of social time for both caregivers and children. Six mothers took part in Friday’s classes with one child and for many of them the time spent together was their favorite part of the classes.

Kayla Yeh, who brought her 4-month-old Sawyer to school, said the class was her first contact with other children.

“Just watching her interact with other kids, smile, enjoy it and connect with other moms was my favorite part of the experience,” Yeh said.

During social gatherings, moms also talked about personality traits common to their children, such as separation anxiety. They asked each other for advice and information, such as: “What is it like growing from one child to another?”

“Connecting with other moms has been so helpful… having spaces like this where you can connect with other people going through similar life changes,” said little Noa’s mother, Emily Ness.

Shinar and Pick designed the classes in such a way that caregivers could not only connect with their child, but also be present with their own bodies.

“Caring for a child doesn’t take us away from ourselves, it actually embeds us within us,” Pick said.

Where did the idea come from?

Shinar came up with the idea for a spring babywearing dance class after seeing videos online of parents doing jazz dancing with their babies attached to them. She said it inspired her to create her own idea for babywearing classes through Young Dance.

“I think as parents we are always looking for ways to connect with our children,” Shinar said.

Pick and Shinar, both dance instructors at Young Dance, said that over the years, their employees often carried their own children during classes. They did it themselves when their own children were babies, saying it was a natural experience and became part of the studio culture.

“In my role as executive director, I believe it’s important to foster a culture where people who come to work can value their families,” Pick said. “Their families don’t have to come second when it comes to work.”

What makes Young Dance unique?

Gretchen Pick, bottom left, teaches a babywearing dance class. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)

Young Dance programs integrate people with all abilities and disabilities, grouping them by age rather than skill level or performance. Shinar said people can join at any age without feeling like they’ve “missed their window.”

“We believe that dance is for everyone and we truly believe that,” Shinar said.

Shinar and Pick said there is no right type of dancer or dance form and instead everyone deserves a dance education.

“We believe that everyone can dance, everyone is capable of creative expression, everyone has something to say and we want to give them the tools,” Pick said.

Young Dance offers two other classes specifically tailored to the needs of children and caregivers: Dance Together for children aged 1 to 3 years and Family Dance for children aged 1 to 5 years.

From October to November, Young Dance, in cooperation with Stuart Pimsler Dance and Theater, runs five-week workshops called “Family in Motion” for children aged 8 and over and their guardians.

Throughout the fall, Young Dance Performing Company, a group of 22 children ages 7 to 18, will collaborate with local professional choreographers to create original routines and perform at venues throughout the Twin Cities.

“There are interesting programs at Young Dance,” Pick said.

People interested in signing up for a babywearing dance class or other program can register at youngdance.org, email [email protected] to sign up for a trial class, or show up at Young Dance in person.

Babywearing dance classes

When: Fridays from 11:30 to 12:15 (season ends in May)
Where: Young Dance Studio, 655 N. Fairview Ave., St. Paul
Cost: $13 per class (scholarships available)