Realistic Tips for a Consistent Yoga Practice

"Throughout my yoga journey, I have used many tips to stay motivated, but upon becoming a mother, I realized that those that once worked for me no longer fit my current reality. Some of the tips I used to apply were: Find a clear intention for my practice Keep sessions short and simple – even a short practice can be beneficial Seek inspiration, whether on social media or practicing yoga with a friend. Avoid monotony Apply yoga principles in daily life to deepen the practice.

However, I realized that I was missing something crucial: the child factor. As a mother, these little creatures continually demand our attention, which has forced me to rethink my mindset and start from scratch. What used to work is no longer effective, and what used to not interest me has now made sense. For example, learning the lyrics to children's songs or improvising with stories, as I often surprise myself by not remembering them clearly🧐.

So what works for me now to be disciplined in my yoga practice? From my experience, what has worked best for me is:

• Leaving my mat visible at home. Seeing it reminds me that I must practice, no matter what.

• Teaching yoga classes. If you are a teacher, teaching classes is a great motivation. After each session, I feel energized and happy, which inspires me to keep looking for new poses and to stay present and up to date.

• Practicing some poses with my son, like Bhujangasana (the cobra), since I know he loves to climb all over me.

• Having a flexible schedule. I commit to practicing twice a week, but I don't force myself to a specific day or time. That way I don't feel guilty if I don't do it, but I know I have to keep it on track.

• Reminding myself of the benefits and sense of well-being I feel after each practice. For me, this is the best reminder of why to keep practicing."

And of course, I try to be kind to myself always and if a week has been really busy, I always try to congratulate myself for everything I've done and not beat myself up for what I haven't done.

A quote that fits well with this reflection is from Elizabeth Stone, who talks about the impact of being a mother:

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is deciding forever that your heart will walk outside your body."

This quote reflects the profound change and ongoing commitment that being a mother entails, very much aligned with the idea of ​​how the "child factor" influences the way mothers live and practice yoga.

And with this ... :)

Have a nice day and I wish you a nice yoga practice.