I used to love going to yoga classes and would try to attend at least once a week. This ancient practice is known for its ability to reduce stress and boost well-being, but it also offers wide-ranging physical health benefits such as improved brain function, a stronger immune system, relief from neck and back pain, and so much more.
As a mom of three, I find it nowadays very hard to attend a yoga class because as soon as I commit to a weekly yoga class, someone gets sick, my husband has to go on a business trip, and many, many other obstacles appear. I’m very creative and have learned to roll with the punches, so I’m committed to doing yoga a few times a week at home.
How do I really manage that with a house full of loud cuties? Well, sometimes my yoga class includes them. I love to see how, once I roll out my yoga mat, they eagerly join me. I now have mastered the skill of doing my mommy duty of “look, look at me, Mommy” while in bow pose (talk about good balance☺). It also teaches me to breathe and let go a lot. So this yoga practice is usually only 5 minutes long, but it’s my 5 minutes of bliss while I focus on poses (like cat/cow, a few sun salutations and spinal twist) that will stretch and strengthen my back.
Sometimes I’m darned lucky and can practice yoga when the kids are still asleep in the morning or after they have gone to sleep in the evening. Boy, do I practice gratefulness during these times! This is when I will go all out: I light incense, include a short meditation, and execute a longer yoga practice that will include a breathing exercise and this practice:
I truly believe that it’s so important as a mom to take care of yourself. Because you care for so many others, it’s very easy to forget about yourself. I say treat yourself like your own best friend. Yoga helps me cope with the ups and downs and stresses of being a mom. And it will help me take deeper breaths when I really need them, so I can be a calmer and a more focused mom. Physically, yoga helps me have a better posture and reduces the stress my poor body goes through during any given day.
Sandy Somerville
Fredrica , Hi!
I always enjoy reading your Green Mom emails. Today I smiled when reading the Yoga part. Years and years ago I read a book that I absolutely loved but knew nothing about it before reading it. You knew it well, but again I did not know it at the time. The name of the book was “The Warriors Pose”. Again all of this was a long time ago. Anyway I mentioned it to Toni and she gave it to you. Not only had you read it but you took lessons from the author. Fun memories!
I love you,
Sandy
Green Mom
aaahhh good memories