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While studying in a small orphanage in India, in 1973, Vimala McClure, observed the soothing effects of traditional Indian baby massage. Each day, the eldest children massaged the youngest; it was a type of nurturing Vimala had not observed in the United States. On her way to the train station, when leaving the orphanage, her rickshaw stopped by a shanty (a few boards and some canvas) where a family lived by the road. A young mother sat in the dirt, with her baby across her knees, lovingly massaging and singing to him. So touched by this scene, Vimala thought back the orphanage where the children were so lovingly warm, playful and relaxed, despite their 'disadvantages'. She concluded that massage helped children to feel at home in their world: their little bodies adjusting to a world full of noises, lights, movement and sharpness with curiosity, not fear. When her first child was born in 1976, Vimala began massaging him everyday. She used methods from ancient Indian and Swedish massage, as well as movements and techniques she knew as a yoga teacher. She found that when she massaged her baby with a fully present mind, relaxed body and open heart he appeared to relax and was happier for the rest of the day. When she stopped massaging him for two weeks, there was a noticeable change. He seemed to carry more tension, was more irritable and fussy and painful attacks of colic would keep him awake at night. So she decided from that moment on, massage would remain a permanent part of their lives. When her son was seven months old, Vimala developed an infant massage curriculum and shared her discoveries with other parents. Interest in baby massage began to grow steadily among parents and professionals alike. Vimala began to train instructors and then trainers to train instructors and the association grew. The International Association of Infant Massage is now the largest of its kind and has many chapters all over the world. Vimala McClure is the author of 'Infant Massage - A Handbook for Loving Parents' and the founder of the International Association of Infant Massage. |
The
Association of Infant Massage - A brief history