Practicing Yoga Made Me a Better Mother

After years of breaking down my body and mind at the gym in the name of fitness, I was introduced to yoga, and nothing was ever the same. I became fit, even, balanced and better equipped to handle the daily challenges of motherhood.

Before yoga, my practice had been to wake up forty minutes before the kids to strap myself into compression exercise attire and eat just the right amount of food to fuel a 60-minute boot camp crusher.  Then I would wake the kids up, rush them through their morning routine and out the door to the bus stop.  

Once the bus pulled away, I had 11 minutes to make it to my exercise class at the gym that was 12 minutes away.  Speed limits are a suggestion, right? I would enter the crowded parking lot moments before class started and park in a spot that might not actually be a spot but my car fits, so I take it.  Mad dash to the door, through check in and to the exercise studio, which is packed, I mean packed. Women pushed past me to get a spot in front of the mirror so they can watch themselves workout.  I grab the first open 2-foot square spot and ignore the dirty look I got from the woman standing next to me who would clearly rather me not be there. 

And it begins, 60 minutes of pounding music with arms, legs and sweat flying.  By the end of class, I am exhausted depleted, emptied of energy.  And I think, “thank God that’s over.”  But before I leave, how about a half hour run on the treadmill followed by 20 minutes on the elliptical?!  And I ran myself raged like this for years.  

How I First Discovered Yoga and Breathing

One day my 70-something-year-old father suggested, “why don’t you come to yoga with me.”  I agreed.  “This will be cute,” I thought, “and I could use a good stretch.”  Surprisingly, my entire philosophy on fitness changed that day.

Everyone entered the yoga studio quietly and exchanged pleasantries as they unfurled their practice mat. They took a peaceful posture on their mat and collectively began to breathe audibly through their nose. I followed the instructor’s suggestions and did the same, slowing my breath to a relaxed rhythm. Have you ever taken the time to listen to your own breath?  I never had but did for the first time in yoga class.

The science behind breathing is fascinating.  Focusing on your pattern of breathing has a profound impact on your nervous system. Mindful breathing—paying attention to your breath and learning how to manipulate it—is one of the most effective ways to lower everyday stress levels. (yogajournal.com).  

Your breath changes in response to your emotions.  You may notice that when you get panicky and anxious, your breath becomes shallow and rapid. Yoga teaches you that actively changing your breath rate can move your nervous system from a fight-or-flight response to a rest-and-restore response.  Long, deep inhalation and exhalation can literally calm your nerves and improve your mood.  Every mother could use this amazing tool to her benefit.

And we began… 

Set your intention

At the beginning of practice, the instructor encouraged us to quiet our mind, set aside the worries of the day and focus on our breath as we set our intention.  What a concept. It turns out that this is a crucial component to optimize your yoga experience. (omstar.com). We were asked to think about why we were there, what we hoped to accomplish and dedicate our practice to a person or cause that could use our good energy.  This enabled us to connect to the work we were about to do in a meaningful way.  It was almost spiritual, like manifesting or praying.  

I thought about manifesting a positive outcome for one of my kids who was going through a difficult time.  This inspired me to work with intention through the practice.  It connected me personally to the work I was about to do.  When my mind wondered or I thought about slacking, my intention inspired me to meet the physical challenges of yoga.  It was as if giving less than my all to the practice would be letting down my child for whom my intention was set.   

Yoga is exercise that is challenging

We began with moderate stretches that put us in tune with our body and enabled us to identify the parts that needed attention.  Then we flowed through poses and postures that we held and held and held.  This was not easy. I was a gym rat, and my legs were trembling as my core, back and shoulder muscles were working hard to keep my body in position. 

 The poses encouraged proper alignment and posture and required significant muscular strength and endurance to maintain.  This builds isometric strength in all the major muscle groups. (biologyinsights.com).  It was kind of like a slow lyrical dance but more like a warrior tuning up for battle by increasing her range of motion and strengthening her muscles.  The challenge was to engage your muscles, while moving your body in a way that was beneficial and unfamiliar.  It was deceptively difficult and I loved it.

Shine your heart through

As we moved through various poses, we were encouraged to open our heart and shine it through. Metaphorically speaking, this was an amazing concept. Something incredible happens when you stand tall with your shoulders pulled back and visualize your heart shining open.  The practice fills you with confidence and you become “open” to lots of things in life including compassion, positivity and joy.  

The chest has often been described as the doorway to the heart.  Physically opening this area can unlock both mental and physical tightness.  Heart-opening in yoga creates space by expanding your physical body, your breath, and, ultimately, your capacity to feel and express emotions. (thrive journey.com).   It’s a body posture that affects your attitude and mindset in a very positive way.

Can we talk about Shavasana?

The class ended with shavasana, the corpse pose. As the name suggests, you lie motionless on your back with your eyes closed and your palms facing up.  The work is done and this pose invites you to let go, rest your body, pause the mind, and slow your breath, creating a space for deep healing and restoration.

Some yoga teachers argue that Shavasana is the most important pose of all, because it integrates and seals the effects of your entire practice.  This moment of pause at the end allows the body and mind to fully absorb the benefits of the preceding poses. (myhealthopedia.com). 

Shavasana gives you the chance to be rather than do.  When you are a mom rushing through life to get it all done, lying motionless for 3 minutes is a treat we don’t otherwise get to experience.  But it is just enough time to recharge, regroup and prepare to conquer the day

Returning to the gym after experiencing yoga

I felt great after yoga but was not willing to give up my intense, pressure packed regular gym routine.  Or so I thought.  The next morning, I returned to the craziness of the gym rat race.  I bolted to the gym, through the crowded check in desk to the exercise studio. But on that day, I stopped in the threshold of the exercise studio, frozen. As I stood there, women pushed past me to claim their spot and the loud clamoring of cackling voices grew louder as the studio began to fill. At that moment, I realized that this quest for “health” no longer served me.  I didn’t enjoy this and the gym grind drained my energy both physically and mentally.  My inside voice said, “I can’t do this anymore.” I took a deep breath, turned around, walked out of the gym and never went back. 

A composed and balanced mother emerged

I started to practice yoga regularly and I found it strengthened my body, mind and ability to cope with stressful situations. It is a workout and I learned that I could choose the intensity of my yoga practice based upon the style of the class I selected, which dictates the pace, temperature, and focus of the experience.  Yoga enabled me to connect with my goals through mindful meditation and to manifest positive thoughts for my entire family.  I was calmer in conflict with my kids and the world around me.  I was more patient, thoughtful and effective with everything I needed to deal with as a mom. 

Perhaps replacing your regular workout with yoga, as I did, is too extreme for you. I’m not suggesting mothers give up their 10-mile run or HIIT crusher if they enjoy it.  But I strongly suggest every mother add yoga to their weekly routine.  It will be a transformational experience that you will not regret.  

Namaste.