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The number one thing my clients say when it comes to practicing prenatal or postnatal yoga, or any type of yoga for that matter? “I don't have time” And funnily enough, the number 1 thing those very same people say after they practice with me, say:
“I love doing yoga. It’s become my me-time”
Practicing yoga consistently takes the same effort and determination it takes anyone to get up and go for a run, or to not eat that third cookie. It’s all about deciding and following through.
I know life can get busy, especially if you’re a mom. There are deadlines to meet, children and a partner to tend to. I get it. This happens to me, too. There is never enough time to get all the things done that I want to do. So, what helps me keep a consistent yoga practice? Even when there’s no time for it? Here are a few things I think and do. I’m sure they can help you kick-start that movement practice you’re craving to do.
Remember the benefits you get from moving your body, from taking time for yourself.
Imagine how you usually feel after practicing yoga, after breathing and moving your body. Light. Fresh. Grounded. Open. Reenergised. Relaxed. Calmer. More patient with my kid. Think of all the ways your practice makes you feel. To me, thinking this is usually enough to get myself to the mat.
Focus on today.
When it comes to achieving goals, we tend to get overwhelmed with all the things we need to do to get there. “I need to practice yoga every day to feel good. I need to move every day to heal my core and pelvic floor. I need to. I need to. I need to.”
Firstly, get that word “need” out of your brain. You don’t need to do anything! You want to! You want to get specific results (i.e. feel good), so you want to exercise.
Secondly, focus on today. Today you want to feel good. Whether you practice tomorrow or next week doesn’t matter right now. Your goal today is to do yoga so that you can feel better. That’s it.
5 minutes of yoga is better than 0, nada, null.
It was a long day. You got so much done for work, took your kid to the zoo, did 10 loads of laundry, called that friend you wanted to call at the end of the day. You’re lying on the couch. Exhausted. It’s so tempting to call it a day and just surrender to the comfort of Netflix. Hold up! Can you make 5 minutes of time to stretch or just sit and breathe deeply? And then watch your favorite show?
I can tell you this from experience, practicing 5 to 10 minutes daily has gotten me better results than practicing 1 hour, once a week.
You will always have 5 minutes. It’s just a matter of deciding and going for it. Knowing that those 5 minutes will hugely impact the way I go about my day or how I finish it. Knowing that movement is my medicine and that I ALWAYS feel better after practicing yoga, is what keeps me coming back to this amazing form of movement and mindfulness.
Can you make 5 minutes right now? Try this "me-time flow" and let me know in the comments if it helped you feel better. Subscribe for weekly yoga classes and motherhood tips and wisdom.
If you don’t manage to practice, don’t beat yourself up. It happens!
Sometimes you will seriously not have 5 minutes (maybe you’re traveling somewhere, you have a quiet day, or your baby is sick). It’s happened to me. And sometimes I really don’t want to practice any yoga. Sometimes I want to do something else for myself. And that’s fine! Yoga will always be there for us, and we will always have yoga. Just remember the reaping benefits that 5 minutes of your day to move, to breathe, to just be, can give you and how that will positively impact your loved ones. You can always go back to your yoga.
In my 1:1 private pregnancy and postnatal yoga support programme, we make sure you integrate yoga and functional movement into your daily life. We breakdown your care plan so that you can actually get it done and get the results you desire. I'm with you every step of the way, holding you accountable and guiding you into a stronger, healthier you.
I offer in-person and virtual sessions where we will work together to discuss your goals and create a plan of action. Schedule a discovery-session today.