7 Ways Practicing Yoga Makes Me A Better Mom

As I write this, the world is smack-dab in the middle of a global pandemic. We are all isolating ourselves from our friends, family, and our hobbies.

As a mother of 4 daughters, I normally spend my precious free time at my local yoga studio.

Free time is sparse these days, and without yoga my nerves are as tightly-wound as my shoulder muscles. Yoga’s absence has made me realize how much I miss my practice, and the positive affect it had on my parenting.

I started practicing yoga before I had kids as a way to balance out all the running I was doing at the time. Ahh, glorious kid-free life! But, it’s had many added and unexpected benefits as well.

If you’re a mom…with all the challenges that role comes with…Downward Doggin’ it on a regular basis can help keep you dog-gone sane.

Everyone can practice yoga. You don’t need a perfect body, a perfect wardrobe, or even a perfect space.

Throwing down your mat on the living room floor will work just fine.

If you are stressed out and overwhelmed, I offer you the 7 best ways yoga can make you a better mom.

Shavasan- Yes!

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Yoga Teaches Me Patience

One of the biggest ways that my yoga practice benefits my parenting is through the patience it gives me. I am reminded of this lately as I try to home-school my girls while we are all cooped-up inside our house.

Read: 6 Ways Homeschooling During Coronavirus Is Kicking This Teacher’s Butt!

If I skip my weekend class or I don’t cultivate my personal practice at home through yoga videos on Youtube, I feel the frustration bottle up inside me and I’m more likely to bark at my kids.

Yoga helps me smile through those endless, repetitive questions and requests…and hold on to my Zen.

Yoga Teaches Me To Be Present

Being a mom means multi-tasking 4 things at once, AND trying to feed yourself before noon.

Woman are always thinking ahead.

What am I going to feed the kids for lunch? When can I finish that project for my boss? Can I go another two weeks before getting my roots done?

With so much going on in the background, it can become difficult to tune in to the present. Yoga is methodical. Yoga helps your mind focus and slow down.

In order to hold a yoga pose, you need your brain to be fully WITH your body. You can take this skill off the mat and into your life.

Your kids will notice your renewed focus when they see it in your eyes.

Read: Best Hands-On Educational Kits For Kids

Yoga Is Time Just For me

Yoga is my time-out from daily life and the demands it brings. When I walk into my beautifully warm yoga space and lay down on my mat, I swear my body and mind become lighter.

Even practicing at home, I am better able to tune out the household noises…and those banging around in my head.

Practicing yoga is my time to just be “Christen”. The women ( and men) I move with in class only know me as a fellow yogi. I’m the person I was before becoming a mom. My body is mine only and I get to move it freely.

Afterwards I can return to my family energized, refreshed, and ready to give.

See Canadian-made, Environmentally Friendly, Yoga Wear On Amazon

Yoga Reminds Me To Breath

“JUST BREATH”

Those are the words we use to help our kids in the middle of their meltdown.

But how often do we catch ourselves holding our breath in a tense moment? If you are like me, the answer is a lot.

Yoga helps me remember to breath. Controlling your breath during yoga can get you through a tricky pose and switch your mindset towards the positive.

Off the mat, steady breathing can get you through that traffic jam, help you walk into a difficult parent-teacher interview, and keep your cool when your child drops your iPad on the floor.

Any good yoga instructor will tell you, “just come back to the breath”.

I’m often terrible at remembering to breath properly during yoga. My mind wanders outside of the room and beyond. But, with the help of the instructor, I bring it back. This is perhaps the most valuable lesson I have gained from practicing yoga. That I won’t do everything perfectly isn’t important…it is my journey that matters most.

An important lesson to pass on to my impressionable daughters.

I’m In-Love With My Yoga Mat

(This reason might not directly relate to being a better mom, but it makes me happy).

I love my yoga mat almost as much as I love my husband!

It holds me steady when I’m balancing in tree pose and cushions my fall when I tumble out of Lord Of The Dance pose. Ugh! Will I ever be able to hold that one?

It is my physical and emotional support guru.

Like my string of former boyfriends, it took me several tries to find the perfect yoga mat mate. My previous vinyl-rubber flames were either too short (not cool when you’re 5’9”), to fragile (like my ex who cried every time we fought!), or too slippery (like that sketchy beau who I think sold drugs out of his parents’ basement).

It is a gorgeous periwinkle blue colour with just the right amount of stability and comfort. What else could I want in a partner?

See The Jade Harmony Yoga Mat On Amazon

If you live in the United States, check out Jade Yoga and all their awesome yoga mats and gear.

Yoga Helped Me Through Pregnancy

Not only does yoga help me be a better mom now, but I credit it with helping me to become a mother in the first place.

After my first daughter was born I stopped practicing yoga. I returned to it when I was trying to conceive my 2nd child.

It had been about 6 months with no luck, when I read an article about how yoga can help with fertility. My mind was skeptical but I gave it a shot. Immediately, I felt more calm and balanced. I became pregnant shortly after and haven’t given up my practice since.

Prenatal yoga has kept me fit and feeling strong throughout my last 3 pregnancies. Triangle Pose eased the pain in my back, Legs Up The Wall Pose helped with the swelling in my feet, and Plank Pose prepared my core to push out my beautiful babes.

Read: How To Choose Between The 12 and 18 Month Parental Leave

Yoga Makes Me Feel Beautiful

When I walk out of my hot yoga class, sticky with sweat and all glowy in the face, I feel pretty. Here’s why:

Practicing yoga releases endorphins in your brain. Endorphins trigger positive feelings.

When you feel good, you’re a happier woman.

When you are a happy mom you spread sunshine and good vibrations in your kid’s direction.

Here are some of the many physical and mental benefits the American Osteopathic Association credits yoga with:

• increased flexibility
• increased muscle strength and tone
• improved energy and vitality
• weight reduction
• cardio and circulatory health
• improved athletic performance
• protection from injury
• managing stress

That’s a bunch of good reasons to add yoga to your day.

So, whether you are a seasoned yogi or new to the practice, participating in yoga should leave you a Happy Baby!

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