The Evolving Yoga Practice of a Mother: Surrender, Growth, and Transformation
We’re talking about the ever evolving definition of yoga as it relates to motherhood. We going deep into the journey of learning to let go of perfect to find your true practice, both on and off the mat.
As a young and deeply dedicated Ashtanga practitioner, I always thought my practice would get "better" with time. More advanced postures, smoother transitions, deeper states of meditation. I had this ideal vision of what my yoga journey should look like. But then came motherhood.
Suddenly, my physically demanding asana practice was no longer accessible. My body was tired, my schedule was unpredictable, and my mind was constantly pulled in a thousand different directions.
At first, I felt a sense of loss and frustration. Was my yoga practice doomed just because I became a mother?
My dear friend and fellow yogi, Bibi Lorenzetti, recently shared her own experiences with this struggle on the Finding Harmony Podcast.
We talked about how motherhood forces us to redefine what a "successful" yoga practice means, how it invites us to embrace the messiness of the journey, and how it ultimately makes us better practitioners with a more comprehensive definition of yoga in the long run.
Beyond the Mat: Finding Your Practice in Every Moment
One of the most profound shifts I've experienced as a mother is realizing that yoga doesn't happen on the mat. In fact, all of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned have happen in those everyday moments of chaos.
Here’s some ideas for you:
Practice Patience amidst the Tantrum: When your 2 year old son throws a fit in the grocery store, find a way to regulate your breath, pause and take a moment to respond firmly, but with compassion.
Practice Presence in the Chaos: Being fully present for your child, even when your mind is buzzing with a to-do list, you’re trying to make dinner, and the house is mess… Stop. Breathe Deep. Focus. And connect with your little one from a place of mindfulness.
Practice Surrender to the Unknown: Motherhood is a masterclass in letting go of control and embracing the unpredictable. Keep going. You’re practising yoga all day long when you’re a mother.
Adapt Your Practice for Every Season
It's important to acknowledge that your physical asana practice will inevitably change. Some days, you'll flow effortlessly through an hour-long sequence. Other days, a stolen 10 minutes of breathwork in the bathroom will be your saving grace. There is no shame in scaling back or changing your focus as your life demands it.
Bibi and I touch upon the power of other yogic practices like chanting and pranayama. While you might not have an extra 2 hours to work on your advanced backbends, you can find incredible depth and nourishment in these other types of practices, especially when combined with rising up to meet the challenges and demands of being a truly present mother.
The Beauty of Imperfection
I used to strive for flawlessness in my asana practice, but motherhood made me realize the beauty of those "failed" attempts. Those moments when I wobble in a pose or forget a breath count are the ones that teach me the most about humility, resilience, and finding joy in the process instead of the outcome. How about you? Have you learned to let go of perfectionism?
Find Your Community
Connecting with other moms who practice yoga, like Bibi, can be so helpful and reassuring. It's comforting to know that you’re not alone in this struggle and that there's a community ready to support and inspire you, whether it’s in-person or online.
If you're a mother struggling to maintain your yoga practice, I want you to know that you're not alone. Your practice might look different than it did before, but it doesn't mean it's any less valid or any less transformative.
Embrace the messiness, find joy in the unexpected, and know that motherhood is making you a wiser, stronger, and more compassionate every day… and isn’t that after all, the reason WHY we practice yoga in the first place?
Let's continue the conversation!
What’s your biggest challenge around balancing the demands of practice and motherhood?
Drop your comments below.
And if you’re a mom who’d like some support with balancing your practice, life, work, relationships, along with all the demands of being a mother, please feel free to reach out and connect with me.
Move your practice beyond your asana practice. Join us inside the Finding Harmony Community to deepen your understanding of yoga and continue these important conversations!
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