5 tips to help mums get back into a yoga practice

You’ve had the all clear at your six week check…now what?

Getting back into any sort of fitness routine following birth brings so many challenges. Everything is different. You no longer have the time you had before, you can’t necessarily plan your days or weeks now and of course your body has been through so many changes.

Practicing yoga is no different. Poses you used to do with ease are now unattainable. Your breath feels different, your mind too.

It feels so overwhelming getting started and knowing where to begin!

I felt it too, so I’m sharing a few tips to help to ease you back in to moving your body:

1.Listen to your body

Are you ready to get moving again? Just because you’ve got to the six week mark that doesn’t mean you will feel ready to work out. If you feel you want to wait longer then do.

When you are ready, start off slow and listen to your body. This is why yoga is a great starting point, it encourages us to go within, to tune into our body and helps us to feel where we are at both physically and mentally.

When practicing, do what works for you, if something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Find a modification, use a prop or just take a pause and rest.

2.Don’t compare yourself to other mums

This is so important in every aspect of motherhood and definitely applies here too.

Every pregnancy and birth is different and we all have different challenges and circumstances. Some mums have more childcare support than others, and maybe a baby who sleeps great while yours is still waking 3 times a night. We need to work with where we are on our path and put our focus there.

It’s fine to use someone as positive motivation, but if the comparison is giving space to any negative thoughts or energy then it isn’t serving you so let it go.

3.Lower your expectations

Whether you could hold a handstand for a minute before birth or worked out most days, chances are it’s a bit different now.

Putting too much pressure on yourself to do too much or to jump straight back into what you were doing before isn’t the best idea.

Learn to be okay with where you are at now. With time you can build strength again if that’s the goal.

4.Set a goal for the next month

Having a realistic goal to work towards can be the motivation you need. Whether it’s to practice yoga three times a week or to hold downward dog for four breaths, finding a goal to keep you motivated can be the difference between sticking with it or not.

That being said, take away the pressure! Life is unpredictable right now and if you don’t achiever the goal this time set another one and go again.

Don’t forget to reward yourself too when you do reach those goals. Any achievement is a big one in motherhood.

5. Throw out the routine

I love a list and a plan and I was very frustrated when I first realised that wasn’t really an option anymore. I fought it for a while and to be honest the frustration just built. So I learned to let go of routine and go with the flow a bit more. This is still a work in progress for me.

We need to take the opportunities we get and make the most of them. Sometimes that will be 20 minutes during morning nap or sometimes it may be once they’ve gone to bed at night. Find what works and do that - until it all has to change again!!

Jen x