Baby Yoga Video is Real and Real Scary, But Safe? (VIDEO)

(CBS) Yes, the yoga baby video is real and really terrifying, at least to watch. But is it safe for baby?

If you haven't seen it yet, the video, which comes out of Russia, shows a woman tossing, twisting and spinning a baby in midair. She never lets go of the child's arm, but the images of a child being tossed around like that are pretty jarring to an American eye.

Some speculated the baby wasn't even real, but Nathan Thornburgh, a former Time magazine editor who blogs at Dadwagon, says he tracked both baby and baby swinger down for a chat.

The baby yoga guru, writes Thornburgh, is Lena Fokina, a 50-year-old Russian who lives in Egypt teaching yoga, free-diving and "dynastic gymnastics" (read baby yoga). The baby, he says, lives a few hours outside of Kiev, Ukraine, was only two weeks old when the video was shot, and is doing just fine two years later.

In fact, Fokina said baby yoga helps children have more mobility, freedom and independence and has been practiced in Russia for three decades. "They are early readers, singers, talkers, swimmers. You haven't seen anything like it anywhere!!" she told Thornburgh.

Want to hear what Fokina has to say about American babies, fat parents and trying this at home? Check out the full interview and more baby swinging pictures at Dadwagon.com.

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[SBC1978]

So what is the purpose of baby yoga??? And what happens when they baby slips out of their grip and goes flying through the air and breaks its neck??? This video makes me cringe!! It's the most absurd thing I have ever heard of or ever seen. I had to hide my eyes a couple of times... I've always heard growing up to not pick up your children by one arm, b/c it could do damage. But yet it's okay for Russians? Are they a different breed of humans, b/c it alright for them to sling their newborns around like you would a wet rag? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but this should be a death sentence for someone to do this to a precious baby. Oh, and what do they do when they are too big to sling around like that??? Tie them from a rope and swing them from a building? So STUPID!!!!!

[ragin_cajun01]

Somebody needs to give her and anyone else involved shaken baby syndrome.

[Pearyn]

This woman, and anyone that does this, are bent in the head. There is so much that can happen, or go wrong, when doing something like this. Not only that, but what about shaken baby syndrome? Those back flips on a new born? Or how about joint damage? All that spinning while holding one limb? I would beat a person if I saw them doing this to their child or anyone elses. Why? Because we need to protect our children. "In fact, Fokina said baby yoga helps children have more mobility, freedom and independence". Really?? Children are ALREADY MORE FLEXIBLE THAN ANY OF US! Get your head out of yer back end and call this what it is, child abuse made legal.

[calpearl]

oh my god.... I just fainted! that is the scariest thing ever. Flinging an infant behind the head, I think .. ok I am speechless I had to fast forward the video it was much too horrifying! THere is no excuse for child endangerment. That woman should not be near ANY child!!!!!!!!

[AnnieDanny]

That woman is disgusting.

[daughteroftheLord]

Can you say, "HORRIFYING"?

[azza86]

this woman is tapped in the head and shouldn't be allowed anywhere near children, I'm surprised she hasn't pulled the babies arms out of its sockets it makes me sick to see someone who thinks this OK, as an infant she was obviously dropped on her head from a great height by her mother practicing this bulls#*t and now thinks its ok to live in a gingerbread cottage swinging babies around!!!!!

[coryn617]

this is so dangerous and risky and could cause permanent damage to the child. It is just plain recklessness. That mother should get in trouble for endangering her child. The baby's brain is hitting the inside of his skull and could cause brain damage. (shaken baby syndrome). the wrists are being strained and she could cause nursemaids elbow in both arms for holding the infant at the wrist and flinging him up and down. this is terrible. i hate watching and couldnt even finish. Terrible that just anyone can be a parent.

[terifal60]

This is hard to watch. I have seen too many broken bones and shaken baby syndrome done to babies that have gone through similar gyrations.

[DaleyLane]

This woman is insane to throw a baby like that. Although it looks like the baby is enjoying this it's still scaring me...

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