It takes a huge amount of physical and emotional energy to parent.
Yoga is a great way to build physical and emotional stamina.
Physical Energy and Parenting
When our kids are babies and toddlers, we reach down to pick them up and we hold them. In fact it seems like we are always reaching, bending and twisting. It’s hard on the back. Then as they grow older, we are running along side them as they learn to ride their bikes. Next is soccer in the backyard…
Emotional Energy and Parenting
Parents and children have different temperaments. We navigate the similarities and differences while at the same time making major decisions with partners (if co-parenting). Children frequently change based upon their developmental stage. The life of a parent is ever-changing and unpredictable. No wonder so many parents yell. It’s hard!!!
The thing is-- it’s hard on the kids too. They really need us. They need our support and presence to navigate the ups and downs of their lives.
The Benefits of Combining Yoga and Parenting
1. Quiet time! We thirst for this. Time to quiet our minds and just be.
2. Training to Stop and Breathe. Many parents are looking for ways to calm themselves down and to teach their kids how to manage their emotions. Anger can be a big problem in families. Taking deep breaths before reacting is such a great practice to model for the kids, and it really is a practice.
3. Health and Connection. A strong spine means you can go out and throw the football with your child. You can run and play soccer with him or her. These activities are great opportunities to connect and make memories.
4. The Practice of Staying Present. Staying present in the moment is hard. It seems that we are always rushing from one thing to the next. It is during the times that we are truly present with our children that we do our best parenting.
5. Both Yoga and Parenting Are a Practice. In my opinion, this is one of the most important realizations we can make as parents. Practice, not perfection. We journey and we keep trying while being okay with where we are. Not judging. This is the philosophy of yogis, and a great philosophy to adopt as parents.
6. When you show compassion for yourself, this can translate to your children. When we take care of ourselves it is easier to care for our children.
7. Strength and Flexibility. We need this both literally and figuratively as parents.
If you have obstacles preventing you from making it happen, know that stopping and breathing in and of itself is a yoga and parenting practice.
Do you practice yoga? Do you notice the benefits?
