I didn’t like yoga the first time I tried it.
I clearly remember my first yoga class. The teacher used cues that I didn’t understand. She would say vague things like “Lift your heart through the gates of your chest”, instead of straightforward cues with specific body parts, such as “Stack your shoulders over your wrists and slightly tuck your chin.” I felt lost and confused.
I looked around at the other students, and they all seemed to understand this cryptic language. She didn’t offer modifications or adjustments for beginners (me). I now know that pain is destructive and that discomfort is productive. Back then, I was over stretching and overstraining because I was comparing myself to the other, seemingly perfect (and most definitely double jointed) folks in the room. The moment I remember most, however, was when we were instructed to go outside and hug a tree, to “root and ground ourselves.” An ant tried to crawl into my mouth. I left that class and did not take another yoga class for almost 5 years.
When I did, however, unroll my mat again, I found out that yoga could be life changing.
I slowly took out the intimidation factors of yoga. “I’m not flexible enough” or “I don’t have the right clothes or props” were thoughts I didn’t allow in my mind. I began to enjoy yoga so much that I eventually went through teacher training and became an instructor myself.
Yoga, like everything else in my life, has changed dramatically since I became a mother a year ago.
I taught yoga up until my due date, and when I returned to teaching, I noticed that my “style” of yoga (both in practice and in teaching) had shifted in a positive way. Before, I talked about mindfulness and being present, but didn’t always practice what I preached. Afterwards, I was living it. By focusing on what was going on in front of me, in the present moment, my inner landscape changed.
I took things slower, and saw the world through my daughter’s eyes- imagining everything was new, as if I was seeing it for the first time.
Through yoga, we learn to control our thoughts instead of letting them control us. Yoga is not about touching your toes or doing fancy Instagram worthy poses. It will make you stronger, both mentally and physically. Yoga means “to yoke” AKA to unite. We unite mind and body to create a holistic practice. We leave our competitive edge at the door, not comparing ourselves to the person on the mat next to us, or even the person that we were yesterday. We focus in on our little world, 68 inches long and 24 inches wide. That is what mindfulness is to me.
My advice to you? Choose a style of yoga that works for you. Pick your flavor!
- Are you an active person already and need a calm yoga class? Yin or Yoga Nidra would be wonderful.
- Don’t like hot yoga? Great! Try a room temp Vinyasa or Hatha class.
- Don’t like practicing in a studio? That’s ok! There are tons of online yoga classes and resources.
How will you know when you’ve found your match? You should feel calm, but not tired. Alert, but not anxious. Give yourself permission to tap back into your inner child, to not take things so seriously, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes.
You’ll be a better mom by taking the time to practice self care, to supplement your life.
Tavi Tichenor is a registered yoga instructor, mom to a one year old girl Milana, (and two year old German Shepherd Ollie), and an elite ultra marathon runner. You can find her teaching yoga at Yoga on Baxter and the Jewish Community Center. She also works with Fleet Feet’s training group members, helping them to add yoga to avoid injury and build strength to their training plans. You can find her and any upcoming events/workshops/retreats she will be hosting on Instagram under @tav_wall.
