All Moms Are Yoga Masters, Even If They Don’t Know It
If you’re a mom you’re probably engaged in the constant struggle between learning to love your body and trying to find time to workout. But we need to stop being so hard on ourselves. Just because we don’t actually roll out a mat or slap on a sports bra doesn’t mean we aren’t getting our fitness on. After all, there’s a reason the yoga pant is the unofficial uniform of SAH and weekend/after work hours of mothers everywhere. All moms are actually master level yogis in disguise, we just don’t go around bragging about it.
1. Child’s Pose
Also called Balasana in more expensive yoga studios or anywhere in LA, this pose is designed as a relaxation pose. Chances are you do it at least once a day- every time you find yourself peering under the bed looking for a missing sneaker. So next time you find yourself pawing blindly through Legos, stale crackers and whatever the hell that fuzzy thing is in search of Barbie’s missing shoe, take a second to draw a big breathe in and enjoy the moment.
2. Warrior Two
Yoga experts call this one Virabhadrasana II, to which I say, “Bless you” while offering them a tissue. Designed to invoke the spirit of the fighter, this pose tones your legs, arms and back. I know this, because I do this pose every time I’m in checkout lane at the store and one of my kids is trying to drag me over to a display of cookies, while I hang on to the cart so we don’t lose our place in line.
3. Spinal Twist
Ardha Matsyendrasana is great for stretching out the spine while simultaneously scoping out the cute guy sitting behind you in yoga class. Hardcore yogis swear this pose helps with digestion. I don’t know about that, but I do know it’s helpful when shielding away from a child who wants to burp in your face because they think it’s hilarious.
4. Prayer pose
Otherwise known as Anjali Mudra, you may recognize this pose as the posture of mothers everywhere who are trying to hold it together and stop themselves from screaming while their kid has a meltdown in public. I find its success rate to be around 50%.
5. Crescent Pose
Officially called AnjaneyÄsana, this pose is used to open your hips and strengthen your legs. While it looks complicated, trust me, all moms can and do pull off this pose, as well as a variety of other Matrix-like moves when trying to tip-toe past a sleeping baby.
6. Tree pose
Vriksasana is a move to help you improve your balance and sense of focus. It is also what we moms do when you step on a wooden block and it hurts more than when Ryan Reynolds got married, so you press your foot against your uninjured leg in a effort to make the pain stop.
7. Dead Body pose
Shavasana is typically performed at the very end of a yoga class. It’s a relaxing pose designed to rejuvenate mind, body and spirit. It should look familiar, because after a long day of work and dealing with kids, when you finally put them to bed at 8 o’clock, this is what 8:01 looks like. Namaste.
(All images: Shutterstock.com)
