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A bizarre course of ‘baby yoga’ that involves tots as young as two weeks being spun and dangled by a single limb could be coming to the UK - and the therapist behind the discipline can’t wait to see her alarming exercises being practiced over here.

Shocking footage of guru Lena Fokina flipping a baby over her head astounded millions last month as it spread across the internet, causing parents everywhere to wince in disbelief.

The 51-year-old Russian was filmed flinging babies above her head and behind her back in such an outlandish fashion that many websites − including YouTube − banned the footage over concerns it glorified child abuse.

And the actions performed by Fokina − part of sessions that can last up to five minutes − were so outrageous that many observers believed that they were being applied to a doll rather than a baby.

(Image: Barcroft)

(Image: Barcroft)

But now, any doubts that the clip may not have been legit have been dismissed after an investigation tracked her down at a seminar called ‘Parenting the Deliberate Way’ in Dahab, Egypt, where parents from across Europe were paying her to carry out the same moves on their infants, some just months old.

And while many of the babies were reportedly left screaming in tears or vomited during or after their session of ‘baby dynamics’, Fokina insists it is for their benefit.

The PE teacher said: “It's very good for babies and not dangerous at all. Some babies cry at first, but they begin to enjoy it.

“Most people think young babies can only lie on a bed, eat, and cry. But babies are born with natural reflexes, which we can use to help them develop physically and intellectually.

“I work with parents from across Europe. I hope soon I will be working with a family in England. I think there are a number of open-minded parents there whose babies could benefit from my work.”

Fokina has also conducted workshops in Thailand and India, claiming to have extended the reach peculiar techniques to parents across the world.

She said: “Baby dynamics is quite well known Russia but up to now all the literature about it has only been in Russian.

“However, it is becoming increasingly popular throughout the world and we want to teach parents by bringing our methods to where they live.

“Although I don’t know anybody practicing in the UK yet I will be very proud when I see my methods applied there.”

(Image: Barcroft) (Image: Barcroft)

Baby yoga was first practiced by ancient African tribes, according to the mother-of-five. But the modern version of the system she practices was apparently first developed by Dr Igor Charkovsky, present at the Dahab seminar.

Doctors have long warned new parents that ‘dramatic and unnatural movements’ inflicted on a young baby can lead to brain bleeding, retinal haemorrhaging and brain swelling - commonly known as Shaken Baby Syndrome.

And some researchers have suggested that SBS can occur at much lower levels of head movement than had been previously thought.

Contrary to these warnings, Fokina claims that the exercises have a record of aiding child development.

She said: “The method was originally developed to cure and correct the health of children having muscular or skeletal problems but it is also suitable for healthy children.

“The movements are designed to improve their muscular abilities and development.

“And the children often turn out to be early readers, singers, talkers, swimmers. It also makes their hands stronger. We are humanists and we don’t do anything wrong.”

However, despite the obvious distress of the children of the infants being subjected to the radical methods, Fokina rejected the possibility that there may be any immediate or long term health risks.

She said: “From the moment of its birth a child can grasp, step, support itself and swim.

“The Charkovsky method uses these natural reflexes for child training.

“The amount of time it takes to train an adult to do it on a child depends on the sensibility of the child’s parent. Sometimes it only takes one training session.”

(Image: Barcroft) (Image: Barcroft)

Fokina also tells clients the therapy is harmless even when applied to newborn babies, as long as a child is eased into the movements gradually.

“Even a tiny baby’s body can adapt to the process easily if you take it gradually,” she said.

“As long as the parent or instructor has practiced and studied the teachings of Dr Charkovsky the child will be fine.

Having studied at the University of Physical Culture in Moscow, Fokina has practiced what she preaches on her own family.

“I first tried baby dynamics 30 years ago after my oldest daughter Alexandra was born,” she said.

“At first I was worried, but then I realised how my children enjoyed it and it inspired me.

“People criticise our methods out of ignorance - if only they tried to understand what we were doing, they would change their attitudes.

“If by doing it I give children an advantage, why wouldn't I?

She added: “All my children have grown up according to the Charkovsky method and they have all gone on to achieve outstanding results in life - they are Russian champions in parachuting, free-diving and horse riding.

“Now my children are practicing those same methods on their own children. It’s the best proof.”

“People tend to get upset when they see it because they are not aware of children’s real abilities - but these abilities are much wider than it is traditionally thought.”

Also on offer at the seminar were more conventional approaches to childcare such as baby massage, swimming lessons and gymnastics.

However, a practice known as ‘water rebirthing’ involves repeatedly dunking children's heads underwater.

The exercise is designed to address “repressed trauma from birth”.

According to Fokina’s website, rebirthing “allows the mind and body to gently restructure itself so as to increase the feeling of happiness, efficiency, be healthy and to feel the inner harmony of the individual.”

And that inner harmony must satisfy Fokina’s spiritual core, too – as she claims the scheme is not making her rich, be it quickly or slowly.

“What I do is not a commercial project,” she said.

“I earn enough money just to live here and work with children.

“What I do is not part of my life, it is my life.”