Real People Do Yoga – Kiddos Welcome

I know getting to the mat isn’t easy. But, it is possible – even in the face of some obstacles! This post is part of a series where real readers share their yoga stories with you. I’m thrilled to welcome Amy today, and I’m so grateful she was willing to share her story with you! 

Amy blogs about child development and attachment and how she keeps up with her 14-month old daughter at A Secure Base.

By: Amy Gatzemeyer

I am honored and excited that Jennifer invited me to share my story! I have always loved reflecting upon and practicing the intentions she shares about parenting, yoga, faith, and relationships!

I love practicing yoga. It’s a bit strange for me to use that phrase as I’m certainly not a yogi or, frankly, even moderately trained in yoga. The last and only actual yoga class I took was over six years ago and only lasted a few months. I own a few books picturing and describing yoga poses, and I’ve bought two Yoga Journals in the past few months. I own a few yoga DVDs and did one religiously during pregnancy.  

But, despite my lack of experience and expertise, I can’t imagine a week going by without taking a few minutes to complete my own little sequence of poses. I’ve always found these quiet sessions – often only lasting a few minutes – renewing and rewarding, a way to congratulate myself after a vigorous workout or center myself by focusing on how all the separate parts of my body feel.

Motherhood has a way of removing the quiet (and oftentimes the renewing) times from most of life. Thus, my yoga routines have changed since Q-ball came along. After a period of adjustment and a few frustrations, I love my new yoga routines! I’ve morphed my old standard Hatha yoga routine into several mommy routines that all yoga practicing mommies no doubt know. Here are my methods for making the most of these sessions.

Storybook Yoga:  Currently, it seems Q-ball believes that our yoga mat is actually a mat used for story time. She is always visibly excited when I unroll the yoga mat – smiling and running to the jump on the mat. Then, she runs to her book-case, picks out a book, and (literally) throws it at me.

1. 1. Winning space on the yoga mat is the key. I quickly assume a position that will take up the majority of the mat (think: plank, cobra, downward-facing dog) while Q-ball is retrieving her book.
2. 2. Storybook yoga’s focus is on breath control. I focus on the following while completing this routine: Inhale – Read on Exhale – Inhale – Read on Exhale – Inhale.
3. 3. I practice long holds and use books to gauge my improved strength. I can now how the plank pose through the majority of most of Q-ball’s books!

Peek-a-Boo Yoga:  

1. 1. Between book selections, I make use of this type of yoga to fit in sequence.  Again, timing is critical as I must initiate the game before the next book selection.
2. 2. Downward-facing dog, triangle pose, and standing forward bend are especially good moves for this type of yoga as they allow me to turn my face away before the “Boo!”

Concentration Yoga: A reference to our practice of Dr. Montessori’s philosophies. Dr. Montessori believed that when a child is provided work at an appropriate level, she will maintain full concentration at the task at hand – despite what is going on around her.  

1. 1. A young baby or toddler may achieve a state of concentration at any time. If I’m interested in squeezing in some concentration yoga, I know to be on alert for these states!  I must act quickly!
2. 2. I find I can only successfully do balancing poses during concentration yoga time. The house is as quiet and still as it will ever be with a 13-month-old. Think tree pose and dancer’s pose.
3. 3. My favorite part of concentration yoga is that it is just one very tangible way that my child is inspiring me to shift my focus inward and take a few minutes to renew my daily outlook.

For me, as for most, motherhood has undoubtedly been my most transformative life experience. My sleeping routine has been shaken, a well-ordered and spotless house is a thing of the past, and the ability to exercise on my own is a rarity. But, I have found it empowering and motivating to find ways to continue healthy practices as a mother. What a wonderful example to set for my growing daughter and a small way to maintain a sense of sanity now!

How great are Amy’s ideas?! I LOVE the endurance test that she finds in reading stories during plank! What’s your favorite part of her story? You can find other posts in this series here.

Do you practice yoga outside of a public class? I’d love to hear about it! Whether it’s a formal practice where you roll out your mat or just a few poses you squeeze in at the office, I would love to feature your story here at Every Breath I Take. 

I’m looking for a guest posts to run periodically in the Yoga section from real people who find a way to practice yoga outside of a formal yoga class. I want readers to hear that it’s possible and beneficial – from someone other than a yoga teacher like myself. 

It doesn’t have to be long, just a few paragraphs about what your “home” (or office or grocery store or hotel, etc.) practice looks like. Please send guest post submissions to jennifer@everybreathitake.com. (If you have a blog or a website, include it so I can link to it in your guest post!)