The First Touch: How Vyana Infant Massage Cultivates Early Emotional Bonds and Well-Being

In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to foster genuine connections with our local community, especially for businesses like Sage House Therapy that are dedicated to promoting holistic well-being. Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with Khyati at Vyana Infant Massage, a local business that shares our commitment to nurturing mental and emotional health. Vyana Infant Massage specializes in infant massage therapy, a gentle yet powerful practice that enhances the well-being of both infants and their caregivers. Through our conversation, it became evident that Khyati's work is not only crucial for early childhood development but also for strengthening the parent-child bond, which is foundational to lifelong mental health. By connecting with like-minded businesses, we can create a network of support that amplifies our collective impact on the community's health and happiness.

Can you provide an overview of your infant massage business and the services you offer to families in our community?

I teach parents the art and science of baby massage to improve health like digestion, sleep, immunity, bonding, and happiness in the family.

How did you become interested in infant massage, and what inspired you to start your business?

It's a tradition from India dating thousands of years that has been practiced in my family for many generations and I knew it was relatively unknown in America. I saw first hand the benefit for kids in addressing various health issues and improving outcomes. I knew every baby deserved loving touch massage and parents should feel empowered to massage their babies.

“Beyond the strokes themselves, Khyati taught us about “loving touch” and being sure that our child willingly accepts the massage before we do it. Today, he doesn’t get through the whole series but he does enjoy when we focus on a different body part each time. I have to say the best part of infant massage is the wonderful bonding experience—the parents enjoy doing the massage as much as the baby enjoys receiving it! I would highly recommend infant massage in general and Khyati specifically!”

From your experience, what are some of the mental health benefits that both infants and caregivers can experience through regular infant massage sessions?

Oh so many! Pediatric mental health starts in utero and the days and week after birth are so important to establishing connection, bonding, and healthy practices. As you massage baby, he or she is release oxytocin along with the provider of the massage. So, it also helps with postpartum depression and anxiety. Massage helps establish safety and security and regulates body temperature along with stress regulation. These benefits extend past infancy into adulthood if massage is a part of a family's lifestyle.

Can you explain how the practice of infant massage promotes bonding and attachment between caregivers and their babies?

In America, mamas are rarely given the time and space to only stay and bond with their baby and do nothing else. Massage creates sacred time for this bonding. It's even great for partners, who have a hard time knowing how to bond with baby. Studies show fathers who massaged their baby experienced more eye contact, smiles, and vocalizations. Overall, it increases bonding in the family with feel good hormones while decreasing cortisol.

In what ways do you support caregivers in developing their own self-care routines and coping strategies during the postpartum period?

I offer infant massage instruction along with belly binding, which includes healing touch and binding in a way to make them practices and habits. These practices along with many others are critical to supporting mothers in postpartum and moving from surviving to thriving. There are so many indigenous practice that honor mom's recovery. Keeping baby home and away from other people and places is also incredibly beneficial for their physical and emotional and mental health.

Are there any resources or educational materials that you recommend to parents who are interested in learning more about the benefits of infant massage for mental health and well-being?

Yes, I have a digital course that covers everything from strokes to when and how to massage baby.

Anything else you'd like us to know?

America is touch deprived and there is an epidemic of every sort. Where there is less touch, there is more violence and aggression. This is why I work hard for families to see it's not just nice, it's necessary to raising a generation of holistically healthy children.

In our recent discussion with Vyana Infant Massage, we truly felt the power of community collaboration in nurturing a healthier, happier society. Here at Sage House Therapy, we are genuinely excited about continuing to forge connections with other local businesses that share our deep commitment to mental and emotional well-being. Together, we can extend our impact, uplift each other's missions, and make a profound difference in the lives of those we serve. Let’s come together to create a thriving community, one meaningful connection at a time.

Do you have a business that you’d like us to learn more about? Contact us at connect@sagehousetherapy.com and let us know!