Iqaluit (Oct 06/03) - While babies do not have knotted muscles in their backs which parents may get after a long, stress-filled week at the office, a small child can benefit from a parent's touch, says Elise Bohemier.

Bohemier teaches a massage course for parents with children in Iqaluit at the Baffin Hair Studio. She feels these one-hour lessons, held Sunday to Thursday, are about much more than movement and body awareness. They can also really help parents bond with their children.

"Kids, like any adult, will get something from being touched," Bohemier said on Tuesday as parent Nowdlak Maurice and her young daughter prepared for a lesson.

In the North where children tend to be bundled in thick clothes much of the year, the warmth that comes from a gentle massage can have major health benefits, Bohemier said. The act of gently rubbing arms and little feet can almost miraculously calm down hyper children, ease asthma discomfort, improve digestion and help problem sleepers.

"It's a tool for the parents to touch," said Bohemier. "That's why I do it. For mom and dad. It gives them a sense they know something. They sometimes feel they don't know enough to massage their kids."

In the city for four years and a registered massage therapist for 12, Bohemier is also qualified to give acupuncture.

She began offering a massage course for pregnant women and their partners in January that has been going well.

The cost for an hour of massage with Bohemier is $60 plus tax, for child or adult.

As a parent of a one and three-year-old, Bohemier is really excited about introducing parents to massage.

"I want people to have tools," she said. "I can talk as a parent. The bonding -- that time when you concentrate your spirit, your body and your touch -- that's the main thing."