I was drawn to Yoga ever since it was introduced to me by a friend in my teen years. Yoga had so much to offer my changing body- physically, mentally and emotionally. I was also looking for a spiritual path, which Yoga helped illuminate. More than a decade later, I’m merely scratching the surface of this rich age-old tradition, so yes, I am still hooked. Yoga serves as a cure-all to every issue I encounter in my life. Personally, I think that nothing compares to this powerful mind-body practice.
Ironically, it’s when I became a mother that I decided to pursue yoga as a career. Others are lucky to have this divine calling early on. In my case, I felt the urgency of time after I gave birth to Santi. Watching him grow up so fast made me realize that time is fleeting and we shouldn’t waste it. So, I hurried off to follow my dreams… one of which was to become a yoga teacher. I had this important yogic mission: Whatever I felt during my practice, I knew I needed to share to others.
Here are some of the endless benefits of a regular Yoga practice (particularly for Moms)
-It’s your ME time: We all know that this is critical. Tons of research proves that a happy mom makes a happy family. Remember, you are only able to give love when you have it for yourself. Yoga releases endorphins which makes us happy. It’s body chemistry. So my quick formulation: Yoga = self-love time = abundance of love for the whole family. Trust me, when you get home from an hour’s yoga session, you’ll have more patience dealing with your little ones and enough energy for your husband, too!
Peace of Mind: Yep, we all need Yoga for our sanity’s sake! Mindful breathing and focus during class will definitely get you into this zone. With all the multi-tasking chaos of parenting, chores and work, we need the sanctuary of a yoga studio & its practice as our personal refuge, just to give ourselves a mini-break..then face life’s challenges later on with a clear, balanced mind.
Brings Hormonal Balance to the Body: There are yoga poses like the Reclined Twist and the Supported Sukhasana that stimulate and regulate glands that are responsible for hormone secretions in the body. Out of balanced hormones can lead to mood swings or depression. Whenever you feel out of whack, roll out your yoga mat and get your spine moving.
Detoxification ad Weight-loss: The twists like Marichyasana helps detoxification through internal organ compression which pushes out blood filled with toxins. Twisting also stimulates circulation and improves digestion. You’re basically wringing out your body’s organs to make your digestive tract work more efficiently. No more lazy intestines! Oh and of course those dynamic yoga sequences will make you sweat and lose weight too when paired with a healthy diet.
Alignment & Posture: Each time you come to class, your body changes for the better. Your muscles are stretched and bones come into alignment. Yogis are always known to get taller and leaner. Who wouldn’t want that?
Super Mama Strength: They say that strong is the new sexy and for mothers, strength is not only sexy, but essential. We need to take care of our bodies to keep up with our growing children. Carrying an infant to breastfeed around the clock can take its toll on an unfit body, what more carrying a toddler around? A regular yoga practice enhances core strength (chaturangas galore!), relieves back aches, tones the arms and legs (warrior poses) and builds endurance through all those vinyasas. Who’s bringing sexy back now?
Inversions to Look and Feel Young! Every yogi’s affordable anti-aging regimen is simply daily inversions. By reversing the pull of gravity on the body, we help remove stagnation on the feet and legs while simultaneously bring rich oxygenated blood to the heart, lungs and brain. The inversions also reduces facial wrinkles and produces a natural ‘face-lift’. Go on, lift your legs up against the wall!
Yoga on the mat Epiphanies for Yoga Off the Mat Living: Yes, you’ll encounter a switched on lightbulb or two during classes. I look forward to these moments of creative intuition.
Savasana: Need I say more? This state of mental alertness in a relaxed supine state is my ultimate favourite yoga pose. There are t-shirts that say “I’m just here for the savasana” and I completely agree. I yearn for Savasana because it’s the only time I know deep peace in my body and my mind…where everything is OK in my world. Mothers must make this a daily practice to reduce stress in our lives!
Monica Eleazar-Manzano is a wife to Montri and mother to Santi. She is the co-founder of FLOW Surf Yoga Samba Weekend Retreats (www.flowsurfyogasamba.com) and is a partner at Beyond Yoga Bonifacio High Street (www.igobeyondyoga.com) where she teaches Yin Yoga, Vinyasa and Anti-Gravity Yoga. She blogs regularly about yoga, healthy eats, organic beauty, travel and natural parenting at www.dharmadream.blogspot.com